In this article, I will be sharing what you need to know about giving your baby a pacifier.
A pacifier helps your baby get to sleep and reduce his fussiness or crying quickly.
It also helps your baby to be distracted at the doctor's appointment or on an airplane.
When should you introduce a pacifier to your baby?
Introduce a pacifier to your baby after he has gotten the hang of breastfeeding.
For example, around 3 weeks old or 1-month-old.
Sucking for breastfeeding is different from that used for sucking on a pacifier.
Click here to find out more on “The Advantages and Disadvantages of Using Pacifiers”
Types of pacifiers
There are plenty of styles and sizes of pacifiers to choose from and different babies have different preferences for pacifiers.
Be prepared to switch around to find your baby’s favourite pacifier.
When your baby has chosen his favourite pacifier, buy a few as backups on hand in case your baby drops and cannot be found.
What to consider when buying a pacifier?
Nipple shape
- Standard-shaped pacifiers have a straight, elongated nipple.
- Orthodontic pacifiers have a rounded top and a flat bottom.
Silicone or Latex
Silicone is longer-lasting, does not retain odours and is dishwasher-safe.
Latex is softer and more flexible, deteriorates faster, wears out sooner and is not dishwasher-safe. Your baby might be sensitive or allergic to latex.
Rings or button handles
Ring handles make the pacifier easier to retrieve.
Button handles may be easier for your baby to grasp.
Nipple covers
Some pacifiers have a cover that automatically snaps closed if the pacifier is dropped.
Others have snap-on caps to help the pacifier stay clean.
You need to keep the caps away from your baby because it is a choking hazard.
Is a pacifier bad for your baby’s teeth?
It is bad when your baby turns into a toddler. For example, has crooked teeth.
It is best to wean your baby off the pacifier by the time your baby turns 2 years old.
Safety Tips for your baby’s pacifier
Give your baby a pacifier when you put him in his crib, but don’t reinsert it once he is asleep.
Do not hang a pacifier around your baby’s neck or wrist with a ribbon, string or cord that is longer than 6 inches.
Clips and shorter tethers designed for pacifiers are fine to use when your baby is awake but not when he is sleeping.
Clean the pacifier daily with soap and hot water rinsing thoroughly.
Do not offer your baby a pacifier in order to delay or replace a meal.
When and how should you wean the baby off the pacifier?
Wean your baby off a pacifier by 2 years old.
The advantages will start to be outweighed by the disadvantages.
Help your baby to find other ways to self-soothe.
If a pacifier works for your baby and you, please do not hesitate to use it during sleep and fussy times.
Stop using a pacifier if feeding and bonding time is cut down.
For example,
It is hard to suck, coo or smile when your baby is sucking his pacifier.
Do not use a pacifier as a substitute when your baby needs your attention or comfort.
I hope all these pointers will help you to give your baby a pacifier.
What matters most to parents? Our most-read articles:
Importance of a conducive learning environment
https://www.nurtureinfant.com/post/importance-of-a-conducive-learning-environment (Read 200,857 times)
Holistic Child Development
https://www.nurtureinfant.com/post/ensuring-holistic-child-development (Read 52,623 times)
What to prepare for infant care
https://www.genesisgroup.sg/post/what-to-prepare-for-infant-care (Read 23,028 times)
Tampines parks that you can bring your child
https://www.genesisgroup.sg/post/tampines-parks-that-you-can-bring-your-child (Read 11,902 times)
Cost of infant care
https://www.genesisgroup.sg/post/cost-of-infant-care (Read 11,246 times)
NURTURE INFANT HOUSE (Tampines)
Nurture Infant House, one of the best infant care in Tampines, provides an infant care programme for infants aged 2 months to 18 months old. Teachers from our infant care Tampines or infant care at Tampines are trained, qualified, respectful, responsive to the infants. They are flexible with their approach to learning and can interchange their teaching method to accommodate your infant’s preferred method.
The infant's daily routines in our Tampines infant care include a good mix of structured activities such as introducing infants to a variety of colours, textures, and sounds etc, eat time, playtime and rest.
We have over 30 years of experience in nurturing thousands of infants, toddlers and preschoolers so you are looking for a good Tampines infant care, Tampines preschool or Tampines childcare, do consider Nurture Infant House.
Located beside our Tampines infant care is our Genesis Childcare 1989.
If you are looking for a Tampines preschool or childcare Tampines near Tampines Central for playgroup, nursery or kindergarten, you can consider enrolling your child in Genesis Childcare 1989. Our Tampines childcare is one of Singapore's leading childcare services. Visit our childcare at Tampines and Tampines preschool to learn more about our curriculum and how we ensure a holistic development for your child.
Lastly, would you like to visit our Nurture Infant House to find out more about our environment and setup as well as understand our operations by talking to our teachers and supervisor?
You can visit us at the following venues:
Nurture Infant House (2 to 18 months Infants)
Blk 433 Tampines Street 43 #01-61 Singapore 520433
Genesis Childcare 1989 (Playgroup to Kindergarten 2)
Blk 433 Tampines Street 43 #01-63/65 Singapore 520433
Opening hours: Monday to Friday (7am to 7pm) & Saturday (7am to 2pm)
Public Bus services: 8 / 21 / 28 / 29 / 293
Tel: 96664141
Commentaires