{"id":4988,"date":"2022-06-04T14:36:43","date_gmt":"2022-06-04T14:36:43","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/mommyinstinct.com\/?p=4988"},"modified":"2022-06-04T14:36:48","modified_gmt":"2022-06-04T14:36:48","slug":"sleep-training-with-a-pacifier","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/mommyinstinct.com\/sleep-training-with-a-pacifier\/","title":{"rendered":"Sleep Training Baby With A Pacifier: Everything You Need To Know"},"content":{"rendered":"

You have had enough after the first few months of sleep deprivation when your baby wakes up and plays at night and sleeps like a rock during the day. You might start to look into how to sleep training baby with a pacifier. <\/p>\n

As long as the babies use the pacifier like a ride-or-die sleep prop, sleep training with a pacifier is possible and achievable. Sleep props can help infants fall asleep by themselves while parents have more time to relax. Mommies can study this guide to learn more about how to sleep train<\/a> successfully\u2014with or without a pacifier\u2014before making a wise decision.<\/p>\n

What is a sleep prop?<\/h2>\n

\"Sleep<\/span><\/p>\n

Sleep props can be anything your child needs to fall asleep, such as a pacifier, a teddy bear, a swaddle, a sound machine, SNOO, bottle feeding to sleep… Furthermore, not all sleep aids are created equal! Each pacifier has different pros and cons, which will be discussed in the second part.<\/p>\n

The reasons why mommies should use pacifier<\/h2>\n

\"Sleep<\/span><\/p>\n

As I have listed before, there are many different sleep props apart from the pacifier, like a teddy bear, a swaddle, a sound machine, SNOO, bottle feeding to sleep, etc. However, the pacifier is the most common sleep prop for many reasons.<\/p>\n

  • A pacifier may decrease the risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS);<\/li>\n
  • A pacifier can calm a fussy baby;<\/li>\n
  • When families are traveling, a pacifier can alleviate flight anxiety;<\/li>\n
  • A pacifier can distract babies while getting vaccinated, having blood tests or other procedures.<\/li>\n

    Potential risks of other types of sleep props<\/h2>\n

    \"Sleep<\/span><\/p>\n

    Bottle-feeding<\/h3>\n

    If caregivers choose bottle-feeding to sleep, it might be uncomfortable when mommies need to go on a business trip for a long time. And babysitters will find it hard to lull the baby to sleep, whether to feed it.<\/p>\n

    If they feed the child before sleeping can accidentally cause tooth decay to your infant when growing up. Otherwise, the baby will not stop fussing.<\/p>\n

    SNOO<\/h3>\n

    An SNOO is a smart device that can lull babies to sleep with its self-rocking bassinet, responding with gradually stronger white noise and motion to calm crying. Even though this bassinet might be an intelligent virtual babysitter, it might be too expensive for some families to afford.<\/p>\n

    According to ScienceDirect, extreme white noise exposure in the neonatal and baby population can cause noise-induced hearing loss and other negative health impacts.<\/p>\n

    A study in 2021 with eight infant white noise machines and six iPhone applications shows that at a speaker-to-microphone distance of 10 cm, nine out of fourteen (64.3%) devices exceeded output levels of 85 dBA at maximum volume. No device surpassed the recommended volume level at 30 cm or 100 cm apart.<\/p>\n

    Swaddle<\/h3>\n

    A swaddle may be affordable, but it also has some downsides. According to Havard Health Publishing, a swaddle can raise the risk of hip problems because it keeps the legs together and straight. Additionally, if the fabric used to wrap a newborn becomes loose, asphyxia increases.<\/p>\n

    Teddy bear<\/h3>\n

    A teddy bear is a cute sleep prop, but mommies should remember that infants like to explore the world by putting everything into their mouths. It might be a very dirty option to use. This sleep prop may be more suitable for your child when they are older.<\/p>\n

    When to start sleep training baby with a pacifier?<\/h2>\n

    Sleep training baby with a pacifier is not encouraged for babies under 4.5 months because circadian rhythms do not form until 3\u20134 months of age, and young newborns are unlikely to be able to discern between regular daytime and consistent evening responses. If your baby is under the age of 4.5 months, it is more crucial to focus on developing pleasant sleep associations than trying to educate your kid on sleep skills. (Source: Sciencedirect<\/a>).<\/p>\n

    If your infant is more than 4.5 months old and you decide to develop sleep training, parents can start by eliminating nighttime feedings after they are ready. Continue to offer if your baby likes a pacifier or any other calming tactics that help keep your baby peaceful and rested. They will soon be cognitively ready to learn to fall asleep themselves without as much help.<\/p>\n

    \"Sleep<\/span><\/p>\n

    Some parents are also concerned about when to use it. You may have heard that waiting until established breastfeeding is the best way to avoid nipple confusion, but I recommend starting with one right away.<\/p>\n

    I believe that nipple confusion is a far less common problem than waiting too long to offer a pacifier and having your kid reject it. It is also easier to move them on the pacifier than on the breast, which I believe can improve their latch.<\/p>\n

    If you are attempting to introduce the pacifier and it is simply not working, you can keep trying in the next few days and be patient with the kids! It may take some time for some newborns to get used to it. <\/p>\n

    Continue to provide it, even making a game out of teasing their lips or gums with it to get your baby used to having it in their mouth and encouraging them to suck on it.<\/p>\n

    I also recommend trying many brands, as pacifiers come in different shapes and sizes. Just make sure you pick the appropriate size for your child’s age.<\/p>\n