How to Wean a Newborn From a Pacifier

Your newborn will experience comfort from sucking on a pacifier.

The pacifier is many parents' weapon of choice when their baby becomes restless and upset. However, while the pacifier does not cause serious developmental or health problems for a newborn baby, it is easy for your little one to become reliant on it. Some babies will refuse to take a pacifier, finding it a poor substitute for the warmth and softness of the nipple. However, most newborns will find a pacifier a great source of comfort, which makes the job of weaning all the more difficult.

Instructions

1. Stop offering the pacifier each time she cries or fusses. When the pacifier falls from your baby's mouth, she is unable to retrieve it herself and this is why she cries. Rather than rush to her right away and give it back to her, leave her for a few minutes. If she continues to fuss, try patting her belly with your hand. She will soon learn to relax and calm down by herself without the need for a pacifier.

2. Make time for cuddles. While sucking on a pacifier is an age-old form of comfort for your baby, nothing compares to cuddles and affection, according to Dr. Bill Sears on his Ask Dr. Sears website. When she gets grizzly, show her plenty of love and attention and she will soon forget about the pacifier. This is also an opportunity for parent and baby bonding, which is sometimes lost when a baby has an alternative form of comfort.

3. Take her out for a walk in the stroller. During the day if she is having trouble dropping off to sleep a change of surroundings may help relax her, says Dr. Sears. Babies enjoy visual stimulation and new things to look at will keep her occupied, entertained and pacifier-free. Cuddly animals, musical baby toys and funny faces are also a great distraction for a bored and fussy newborn.

Tips & Warnings

• Accept it may take time to wean your baby off the pacifier completely. If nothing will comfort her, rather than revert back, try letting her suck on your pinkie finger for a while. She may even find comfort in sucking her own fingers or thumb.

• Rocking her is one way to get her to sleep quickly, however, you may find she becomes just as dependent on the rocking as she was on the pacifier. Try singing a song to her or stroking her hair until she falls back to sleep.

References

• Gurgle; Dummies and Newborn Babies; 2007
• Raising Children Network; Dummies; Pros and Cons; December 2009
• Ask Dr Sears; Four Times to Pull the Plug; Dr. William Sears
• "Gentle Baby Care."; Elizabeth Pantley; 2002

Resources

• "Your Baby's First Year Week by Week"; Glade B.Curtis, et al.; 2010