Can a Newborn Fall Asleep With a Pacifier?
Whether you call it a paci, a binkie or a bobo, some parents believe that pacifiers are a miracle tool in helping to soothe their baby and get them to sleep. But with most things baby-related, there are a million and two opinions on the matter! Sucking is an important reflex in your baby as it is also what helps them get their food whether you are breast or bottle feeding. This same sucking reflex occurs with a pacifier and it’s what helps soothe and calm your baby. A standout theory on pacifiers is that they may reduce the risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) and for a lot of parents, that’s the only reason they need to pop that paci into their little bundle’s mouth for every sleep. Keep reading to learn some more about pacifiers, when to use them, and why. As with all things pertaining to your little one, consult with your pediatrician if you have questions or concerns.
Can a newborn baby sleep with a pacifier?
The truth is, some babies fall asleep faster when they use a pacifier. That goes for newborns, too. Sucking is a natural reflex that does have a soothing effect which tends to calm most babies and help them fall asleep. Not only is it ok for baby to sleep with pacifier, but some experts agree that pacifiers might help reduce the risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) when used for both naps and nighttime.
Should babies sleep with a pacifier?
Whether your baby should sleep with a pacifier is a personal decision that every family should make on their own. If you decide to use one, make sure it’s one piece with literally no strings attached. You don’t need the unnecessary risk of the string or attachment getting tangled around baby’s face. If your newborn sleeping with a pacifier helps, you may find yourself sleeping better, too.
Can I give my newborn a pacifier after feeding?
Some experts believe that pacifiers shouldn’t be introduced until your feeding routine is established, which usually happens at around 3-4 weeks. It’s also wise to note the difference between a hungry cry and a tired cry. You want to make sure to feed your baby and not offer up a pacifier when their tears are because they’re hungry. Don’t worry, you’ll get the hang of things! No one knows your baby, or recognizes her cries, the way you do. Once the feeding routine is in place, use the pacifier for all sleeps – naps and nighttime, as experts believe that the pacifier helps reduce the risks of SIDS (sudden infant death syndrome).
Can babies fall asleep with a pacifier?
It’s perfectly fine for your infant to sleep with a pacifier, in fact, the sucking helps to soothe them. If your baby falls asleep with the pacifier in their mouth, don’t worry. It will continue to soothe them while they sleep, or it may fall out on its own.
When should you give a newborn a pacifier?
If your newborn seems fussy, cranky, tired, or restless, it’s ok to give them a pacifier. If you’re having trouble with breastfeeding, however, it’s possible that there may be some nipple confusion. Some experts suggest waiting until your feeding routine is established (this usually happens between 3-4 weeks) before introducing a pacifier, but that’s something to discuss with your pediatrician.
Should I remove the pacifier once the baby is asleep?
A pacifier may fall out on its own once baby is sound asleep. If that’s the case, leave it out until baby wakes up again. If your little one is due for a middle of the night feeding, nurse or bottle feed them, and then if needed, give them the paci again to help them get back to sleep.
When should you take away the pacifier at night?
Some experts suggest that the minute you start sleep training, typically at around 4-6 months old, that you stop offering the pacifier at night. But using a pacifier is a personal choice and some parents feel that paci’s are essential in helping their baby sleep. If that’s the case, don’t worry.
If you feel that your baby is addicted to their paci and can’t go anywhere without it, consider weaning them off of it and use it just for sleep. The general rule is that every child should be off the paci completely by the time they’re 3 years old and there are several ways to go about this. Discuss with your pediatrician or pediatric dentist as there are different methods of weaning that you may find helpful.
Is it OK to use a pacifier while sleep training?
The idea is that once your baby is between 4-6 months old, they are likely ready to sleep train. This means that you’re giving your baby the tools to not just fall asleep, but also to fall back asleep on their own. They do this by learning how to self-soothe without any help from you.
There are a lot of sleep training methods out there and it’s important to find the one that will work best for your family. Depending on which method of sleep training you choose, you will continue to use it to help keep baby calm and rested. Otherwise, your baby will learn to sleep without the use of their pacifier.
Do you give a pacifier during cry it out?
If you’re “Ferberizing” your baby (aka the “cry it out” method of sleep training) the idea is to remove any tools that help soothe your baby so that they learn to self-soothe on their own – including their pacifier. Sound harsh? Well… some parents swear by this method of sleep training while others are adamantly opposed to this original “cry it out” method. The good news about sleep training is there are plenty of options out there, so find the one that will work best for your lifestyle and stick with it. Establishing sleep routines are essential in teaching your baby how to get the best sleep possible, so once you have one, stick with it. It will work well into toddlerhood.
Can a pacifier become a sleep crutch?
Getting good sleep for longer stretches of time is usually the goal of every parent, especially when it comes to their newborn. So if your baby tends to fall asleep faster and stay asleep longer with a pacifier, it usually benefits everyone sleeping under the same roof. The good news is that most babies outgrow the pacifier on their own, usually by the time they’re 3 years old. So while it may seem like your child will never be able to fall asleep without their favorite soothing object, there are methods you can try to help wean them. Discuss with your pediatrician to determine what will work best for your family.
