Once, twice, three times... First, it's an opportunity for an extra kiss. Then, it gets difficult and finally, it risks making you completely grumpy. Waking up at night because of a lost pacifier can quickly become exhausting and — let's not lie — a little annoying. As parents, many of us are looking for THE solution that will help baby keep his pacifier all night, find it or do without it. Also, without talking about miracles, some "good night" tips work better than others: here they are.
SUMMARY :
- Children's night wakings are the same as yours
- Baby loses his pacifier at night, wakes up and wakes you up: what to do?
- Three Simple Tricks Against Pacifiers Falling Out at Night
Children's night wakings are the same as yours
There are many reasons why newborns, babies and children can wake up in the middle of the night: hunger, pain, a particular noise, the excitement of the day that does not subside, a nightmare... like you. Not to mention teething or the discomfort of a full diaper. Finally, because a night is made up of several phases of more or less deep sleep , there is nothing abnormal about your child waking up. The main challenge is that he falls back to sleep and if possible, without waking you. Here, suction and the well-being it provides play a big role.
Need for sucking and sleep cycles
Soothing babies' need to suck helps to calm them down and give them a rhythm to falling asleep . That's why many parents opt for a pacifier, because it's a safe way to accompany them - and bring them back - to sleep.
Yes, but here's the thing, once baby is asleep and relaxed, often, the pacifier falls out of his mouth . At the next light sleep cycle, waking up will not be far away; sometimes only 30 minutes after the start of the nap, and sometimes several times a night. An awakening (with a fanfare) that pulls you out of bed without transition to - quickly - go and put the pacifier back. An interlude that we could do without.
Sleeping with a pacifier: for or against?
Long discouraged, the baby pacifier has evolved a lot in recent years to now naturally integrate into the newborn's birth kit. Physiological, ultra-thin and 100% natural silicone, it respects their needs and their health.
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However, if used incorrectly or offered at the wrong time , it could disrupt the proper progress of breastfeeding, lead to weaning difficulties and be accompanied by night awakenings.
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But the pacifier is also reassuring . It satisfies babies' need to suck, encourages them to let go and fall asleep , and, according to several studies, could offer additional protection against the risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) .
According to several studies to be confirmed conducted in New Zealand, Norway, the Netherlands, the United Kingdom and the United States, babies accustomed to using a pacifier to sleep would be less concerned by the risks of SIDS. Less easy waking, less use of a stomach position, the tongue held forward, the release of the upper respiratory tract, the reduction of gastroesophageal reflux and the increase in respiratory drive, would all be positive points linked to the use of a pacifier at night.
When should you start offering your baby a pacifier?
To avoid nipple confusion , pediatricians recommend waiting until at least 6 weeks of age to introduce a pacifier to your baby, but you can wait much longer, 3 or even 6 months. To introduce it, wait until your baby asks for something to suck on outside of meals and simply bring the pacifier close to his lips.
Baby loses his pacifier at night, wakes up and wakes you up: what to do?
If you use a pacifier to put your baby to sleep, you know that nighttime awakenings can be frequent, especially in the first few months, due to a lost pacifier. Accustomed to falling asleep with it, your little one finds himself helpless when he has to do without it . A situation which, if repeated too frequently, leads to fatigue and frustration , in addition to a baby and parents who are at least grumpy after a broken night.
The idea is therefore to find a solution, your solution, so that baby keeps his pacifier all night, can do without it if he loses it or finds it and knows how to take it back by himself.
Three Simple Tricks Against Pacifiers Falling Out at Night
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Focus on baby's autonomy
You don't plan on taking away your baby's pacifier, at least not for the moment? So you may have to be a little patient until he can grab it on his own and put it back in his mouth easily, day or night. This is good news that usually comes around 6 months.
💡 As soon as the first signs of fine motor development appear , add several pacifiers to your baby's bed ! You can choose phosphorescent ones for easier identification, but already, with 4 or 5, your child should be able to find them without looking too much. Moreover, if he enjoys throwing them or scattering them, wait until he is asleep to place them near his hands.
💡 As they grow, you can also suggest that they attach their favorite pacifier to a comforter. Comforter pacifiers are very easy to find in the bed and very practical, with their safe and baby-friendly attachment system.
During sleep times, it is recommended not to use classic pacifier clips, cords and other strings that could be dangerous for your child.
Also, reduce as much as possible the elements that disrupt sleep. Promote a calm and relaxing environment , without excessive stimulation before bedtime and with a routine that will aim to reassure and prepare your baby for a night without waking up.
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Teaching Baby to Fall Back to Sleep Without a Pacifier
Are you planning to wean your baby off his pacifier? Here again you will need to be patient and proceed in stages.
💡 Start by slowly reducing the use of the pacifier during the day . Leave it aside and only offer it at nap time and at night. Once this stage is well established - that is to say when your child feels able to put down his pacifier himself when he wakes up and no longer asks for it - use a gentle method like the "Pacifier Fairy" to separate yourself from the pacifier for good.
The "Pacifier Fairy" is a friend of the Tooth Fairy! In this book written and illustrated by child chooses for himself the day on which he will part with his pacifier. At bedtime, he places it in a small box. During the night, the "Pacifier Fairy" retrieves it and leaves a small gift in its place.
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What can I use instead of a pacifier at night?
💡 During the transition, to reassure your child, offer him a comforter or a swaddle with your scent and see if he calms down. There are also soft toys that reproduce the movement and rhythm of regular breathing to accompany him towards sleep.
💡 If he cries or has trouble falling back to sleep, bring your little one a bottle of water to take his mind off things. And if he is old enough to do it on his own, consider the silicone training cup . Unbreakable and leak-proof , he can keep it with him without risk.
And if all else fails, remember that cuddling and singing or telling a story, especially a favorite, is always a good way to lull baby to sleep.
To summarize, 4 pacifier & sleep tips
For your baby, choose a quality pacifier , healthy, extra soft, physiological and fine, compliant with safety standards and adapted to the baby's mouth according to his age.
If baby wakes up often because he has lost his pacifier, try replacing it with a comforter or a swaddle that smells like you (or introduce an alternation), bring a bottle of water or sing to rock your baby.
To reduce the need for pacifier wake-ups, as soon as your baby can put his pacifier back on by himself, place several pacifiers in the bed so that he always finds one when he wakes up. You can also attach them securely to a pacifier comforter specially designed for this purpose. Finally, create a soothing environment with a bedtime ritual and quiet time, which will encourage nights without waking up.
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