Of course, the pacifier is not mandatory. But still, it is sometimes very useful. Because, from birth, most babies have a strong need to suck. Because it soothes them and helps them sleep and because, according to several studies, it could reduce the risk of sudden infant death syndrome. Well, but your baby refuses the pacifier outright.
SUMMARY :
- Upstream, the need for sucking of infants
- Why does baby refuse the pacifier?
- How to (re)introduce the pacifier successfully?
- Pacifier and breastfeeding: a balance to be found
- Choochoo: the physiological pacifier adapted to baby's needs
Upstream, the need for sucking of infants
If your baby needs a pacifier (or his thumb), it is to satisfy the need for non-nutritive sucking that allows him to soothe himself and reinforce his feeling of security. Conversely, nutritive sucking is an innate reflex developed during pregnancy to suckle milk, at the breast or from a bottle.
Depending on the baby, the need to suck can be more or less pronounced, which explains why some need a pacifier less, but not why others refuse it.
Why does baby refuse the pacifier?
- Unsuitable shape : the chosen pacifier does not suit baby, he does not like it because it is too big, too thick or because of its smell.
- Unpleasant odor : the pacifier smells of something. This is often the case with rubber. Conversely, the medical silicone used to make the Choochoo has the advantage of being completely odorless.
- Pain in the mouth : teething, mouth ulcers, irritations, etc. can make sucking painful.
- Breathing difficulties : A cold or a stuffy nose may make sucking difficult.
- Breastfeeding : what if he simply prefers the breast?
- Gastroesophageal reflux : Due to GERD , the pacifier may be associated with the pain of acid reflux.
- Poor sucking reflex : An immature sucking reflex can lead to poor tongue positioning. Here, extra-thin physiological teats, such as the Choochoo, can facilitate learning to suck thanks to their flexibility.
And the unexpected refusal?
Suddenly, your baby doesn't want his pacifier anymore? This evening, it's impossible to give it to him, whereas this morning he couldn't do without it? This sudden refusal can have several explanations.
Some babies enjoy their pacifier for a while and then develop other preferences, especially between 3 and 6 months when they may turn to their thumb , a comfort blanket or a swaddle for comfort.
A change that can also be linked to a new routine , such as starting daycare or a change of nanny, situations to which babies each react in their own way.
Between 4 and 6 months , a period of intense exploration, your little one may also show less interest in sucking in favor of discovering the world with his hands and through his toys.
Finally, sometimes it is simply the beginning of natural weaning : baby finds his own calming strategies and no longer needs to suck to reassure himself. If this refusal is voluntary and does not generate frustration, simply leave the pacifier at his disposal and offer it occasionally, without insisting.
As parents, managing without stress
It is at the sleep level that refusing a pacifier will probably pose the problem. If baby is used to falling asleep with his pacifier , he may cry. If he does not use it yet, this may be why you want to give it to him.
Why should we stay calm?
- Babies are very sensitive to their parents' stress . If they sense that you are worried or frustrated, it can upset them even more.
- If he refuses the pacifier, it is not necessarily because he has a problem , but perhaps just because he is changing, because he is growing. See it as a good thing!
Life alongside a baby involves stages and developments. Don't panic at each one. Wait, observe, don't immediately imagine that there is a problem (but stay attentive). The disturbances can be temporary.
How to (re)introduce the pacifier successfully?
If your baby refuses the pacifier or has recently given it up and you want to (re)offer it to him, we have several practical tips to suggest.
Testing different pacifiers: the right choice is essential 🍼
Just as you may prefer oval spoons to round ones, and forks with not too long tines, your baby probably has a shape preference, of material and size for his pacifier .
✅ What you can try:
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Change shape :
Some pacifiers are rather round and close to the nipple, others are flatter and symmetrical (anatomical), and still others (orthodontic and physiological) like the Choochoo, offer a rounded side adapted to the shape of the palate, and a flatter side to place on the tongue.
- Vary the material : soft and transparent silicone or more natural rubber, but also more odorous.
- Check the size : 0-6 months, 6-12 months or 6-18 months, depending on the brand. A pacifier that is too big or too rigid can be uncomfortable.
Elhée Tip: If your baby is bottle-fed, choose a pacifier that resembles the nipple on their bottle.
Offer him the pacifier when he is calm 🕊️
To prevent your child from associating the pacifier with a moment of stress or pain, avoid giving it to him or giving it back to him when he is crying or agitated. If these moments are the usual good times, after a refusal of a pacifier, it is better to adapt a little .
✅ Best times to try:
- Right after feeding, when baby is calm, relaxed and perhaps ready to fall asleep.
- During a hug or if you are wearing him skin to skin.
- Before naptime or bedtime, especially if you see him looking for help to soothe himself.
Tip: Introduce the pacifier to him by gently placing it against his bottom lip and see if he grabs it himself.
Associate the lollipop with a pleasant feeling 🌸
It is quite possible that your baby will refuse the pacifier because it seems useless to him. You can therefore try to arouse or rekindle his interest.
✅ How to get baby to accept a pacifier?
- Put a few drops of breast milk or infant formula on top (never sugar or jam).
- Use the pacifier yourself for a few sucks. Baby might want to imitate you?
- Offer it to him by rocking him or singing him a nursery rhyme, to associate the pacifier with a sweet, pleasant and comforting moment.
Play with the pacifier to encourage him 🎭
For both kids and adults, everything goes better with play. So why not try making the lollipop fun? Who knows, it might work.
✅ Some tips to make your baby laugh:
- If he takes it and keeps it in his mouth for a while, gently pull on the pacifier (while smiling, laughing, talking to him) to stimulate his sucking reflex.
- Pretend to take and give him back his lollipop so he asks for it himself.
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Try placing your baby in front of a mirror with his pacifier. Maybe he'll have fun looking at himself with it ?
Be patient and observe 🩷
Can your child do without a pacifier or does he just not like it? To find out, observe him, especially when he is tired . If he refuses to take it, give him his comfort blanket and accompany him by rocking him or carrying him, while he discovers his own calming strategies.
Pacifier and breastfeeding: a balance to be found
Using a pacifier with a breastfed baby often raises questions. It is even regularly advised against, in particular because of the risk of breast-pacifier confusion and the alternation between the two sucking modes, which could disrupt breastfeeding.
However, this confusion, which is not one, is not systematic. We know, for example, that in Denmark, where 90% of babies are breastfed , the use of pacifiers is widespread. In addition, various studies show that the correct introduction of pacifiers (once breastfeeding is perfectly established) does not disrupt maternal breastfeeding.
- Wait until breastfeeding is fully established , usually after 4 to 6 weeks.
- Observe your baby and learn to separate nutritional needs from sucking needs.
- Choose a suitable pacifier that does not affect suction.
- Offer the pacifier in moderation , when falling asleep or to meet a need for calming.
- Encourage good positioning at the breast to make it easier for your baby to suck.
By taking these few precautions, it is entirely possible to use a pacifier without compromising the success of breastfeeding . The key? Consider it as a comforting complement and use it sparingly.
Choochoo: the physiological pacifier adapted to baby's needs
For the well-being of all babies, Élhée designs its physiological pacifiers in France , with particular attention paid to their well-being and development. Flexible, soft and particularly thin, the ChooChoo offers optimal comfort to infants from their first days.
- A design thought for baby
- Asymmetric physiological shape : rounded on the palate and flat on the tongue, to prevent dental gaps.
- Ultra-thin nipple for natural mouth closure.
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Ventilated collar for easier breathing and less skin irritation.
- Safety and quality
- The first pacifier made entirely of medical silicone , in one piece and without detachable parts.
- Free from BPA, BPS and controversial substances .
- Complies with the strictest safety standards .
With its unique orthodontist-approved design, the Choochoo is the perfect complement to breastfeeding or bottle feeding. Ready to try a physiological pacifier designed for baby's comfort?
When to stop insisting and give up the pacifier? 😭
Despite several attempts, changes of models, games, breaks... your baby categorically refuses to take or take back the pacifier? It may be time to accept that it simply does not suit him or that he no longer wants it (yes, it is sad)... and that is completely normal!
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3 signs that baby doesn't need a pacifier or no longer needs one
- He spits it out every time and seems unreceptive to its contact.
- He prefers to calm down in other ways , with a comfort blanket, through skin-to-skin contact, carrying or even by sucking his fingers.
- He falls asleep easily without sucking to reassure himself.
Your baby is unique with his preferences and the little habits that make him so special. As a parent of siblings , you know that while some find their happiness in the pacifier, others prefer to do without it. The important thing is to let your child explore his own sources of comfort , whether he finds his peace snuggled up against you, or simply by giving himself over serenely to sleep in his cocoon. Trust his instinct to show you what really reassures him.
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