The pacifier is a useful tool, but there comes a time when your baby must let it go. The American Academy of Pediatricians (AAP) recommends pacifier use to lower the risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS), but it also recommends waiting until the fifth week of your baby's life before introducing it to avoid any breastfeeding problems. Letting your baby rely on a pacifier to get to sleep may be the best thing for you and your baby. However, when you find that your baby wakes in the middle of the night because his pacifier has fallen out, you may decide it is no longer a helpful tool. Getting your baby to sleep without the pacifier will take persistence and a great deal of patience.
Step 1
Review your bedtime routine. Make sure you have incorporated a method of winding your baby down. Perhaps this includes a bath, a book and some extra cuddle time. Whatever you and your baby prefer will make a perfectly fine bedtime routine.
Step 2
Decide what will replace the pacifier. This does not need to be yet another crutch to soothe your baby to sleep if you do not want it to be. Some items to consider include a soft stuffed toy, music, a silky blanket or a toy that plays music with lights and is set to a timer. The other options may include extra rocking, a warm bottle before bed, an extra feeding or some method of sleep training. Whatever you choose, be prepared to stick with it for many nights because your baby will not enjoy too many changes at once.
Step 3
Begin adding the new bedtime routine and/or the pacifier replacement at least 2 or 3 nights before you decide to get rid of the pacifier. This will ensure your baby is comfortable with the new changes and does not become overwhelmed with changes.
Step 4
Hide the pacifier and put your baby to bed. You may find that your baby cries for several minutes or longer after you put him down. Based on the decisions you made previously, it is now time to implement your new methods of soothing your infant. If you are following a sleep-training method, you may be letting your baby cry for a set period of time before returning to pat him or rock him. Whatever your method, it is vital that you stick with it and be strong. It will only take a few nights before your baby has forgotten about the pacifier.
Tips and Warnings
- Your baby may benefit from the pacifier. The Mayo Clinic suggests reducing the use by 6 months of age, but true weaning does not need to begin until age 2. Language development and dental problems are the only risks of long-term use but only after the first year of life.
