Getting Infant to Take a Paci

Updated on May 15, 2008
A.T. asks from Euless, TX
12 answers

Any advice on getting an infant to take a paci? My 6 week old daughter will not take a paci, but wants to suckle on my breast before falling asleep...I am becoming a human pacifier...this is a real issue when someone watches her for me. I have tried many differnt types, but she doesn't like any of them...help!

What can I do next?

  • Add yourAnswer own comment
  • Ask your own question Add Question
  • Join the Mamapedia community Mamapedia
  • as inappropriate
  • this with your friends

Featured Answers

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

F.H.

answers from Dallas on

it's better for their mouth NOT to take a pacifier. Dentists and drs. say so. thumbsucking can affect the shape of their mouth and teeth too.

get her a teether or a niple or something to suckle. I'm guessing by this she's breast fed. maybe she's just hungry? feed her before bed and play with her and tire here out so she doesnt think of it.

More Answers

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

D.W.

answers from Dallas on

My daughter absolutely refused a paci too. She would fall asleep while feeding as well. As one mother has said, it is just something you have to break them of later, so if she doesn't want it, don't force it.

Other ways we used to calm our daughter were: music, turning the lights down lower, a rattle blankie (pooh with a teething edge on it), and teething rings. The best thing that helpe her was to take her for a walk outside. She would stop crying immediately. It wouldn't get her to sleep, but it would definitely calm her.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

K.A.

answers from Amarillo on

If you want her to take the paci, try holding it where her cheek rests in your hand when you first give it to her. She many just like the feeling of your skin. We use the avent pacifiers with my son.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

A.H.

answers from Abilene on

try dipping it in a little maple syrup...worked for one daughter but the other wanted nothing to do with it no matter what!
good luck

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

L.S.

answers from Dallas on

Overall it is better to just not give her the paci. unfortunately, she comforts herself with you. is there another way, like a bottle with breast milk? none of my 3 breast fed babies would ever take a paci, even after I switched to the bottle. remember, you will only have to break the habit of the paci later. which is a fight i never had to do. i say don't give her a paci and tough it out.
good luck,L.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

N.J.

answers from Abilene on

My son started using me as a paci. I refuse to let him for the same reason. I want to be able to have dates with the hubby, and someone watch my kids without problems. Try pumping and giving a bottle for the last feeding at night before you all go to bed. My son will only take a paci when he's really tired. I still alway have one and offer it to him. I've also found the the playtex nipple most feel like the breast to him. They have the wide base to them and when he suck on it, it's similar to breastfeeding. Good luck

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

D.H.

answers from Dallas on

3 of my kiddos used the soothie
they could of done without but it was nice for the few minutes they would take it...
but I wonder if shes at a growth spurt - I think at 6 weeks and 3 months all they want to do is eat!
good luck :)
D.
oh and to get my youngest to take the paci I had to hold it in his mouth do the walking bounce and say shhh shh shhh in his ear! ha! he took it and it only lasted 60 seconds! but now its better he will hold it for at least 2 mins now on his own. lol

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

K.O.

answers from Amarillo on

My daughter is the same way. It sounds like your daughter has just hit the stage where she doesn't want anything but momma. She'll be wanting to eat all the time wether she's hungry or not. My daughter went through this too and grew out if it. She never did take a pacifier though. She'll chew on them but that's about it. This probably isn't what you want to hear but some babies just don't like pacifiers. My mom said I never would take one either. Sorry!

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

W.P.

answers from Dallas on

Some kids just don't like them. My oldest loved his, and I admit I did too. I jokingly called it his sleeping pill. When my second son refused to take one I didn't know what to do. You just have to try different things. I used cloth diapers as burp cloths and nursing covers. (We use Pampers for the other end, not the cloth diapers of corse.) I found that he liked to hold the cloth while nursing. When I left him with someone else I would make sure I left a cloth we had used that day. It had my scent on it and that seemed to help calm him. Now he is almost three and he still wants a "blankie" as they have come to be called, to sleep with. Now I am glad he didn't take a pacifier. I don't feel the need to break him of the blankie, if it was a paci I would be fighting to take it away. So I say stop trying to get her to take the paci and find something else that works for both of you. And in the meantime enjoy knowing you are the only one your baby wants. As we all know, the day will come when they don't want us anymore, and it comes far too soon.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

T.T.

answers from Dallas on

Mommy was my DD paci! She refused to take a Pasi no matter how hard i tried. She liked the ones the hospital gave her when she was born but quickly lost interest in it and chose mama boob instead.

My poor husband had a hard time watching her because he couldnt sooth her. One day he was rocking her with a shirt off and lets just say he remembered to keep his shirt on after that.

I couldnt go out in public with her because my breast was the only way to pacify her. Getting her pictures taken at Babies r us I was forced to put her under my shirt and let her suckle until she calmed down. She started refusing my breast at 6 months.

She didnt take to a Paci until she was a year old. Now turning 2 we are trying to get her off of it...go figure.

I dont know what to say...other than tell you my experience.

Good luck and just enjoy these moments they pass by too quickly.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

T.L.

answers from Dallas on

Have you tried Soothie? That's what the hospital gave my daughter and she wouldn't take any other kind. I tried all kinds of cute ones and she wasn't having any of it! Looking back, I wish the hospital wouldn't have given it to her though (she was in NICU and I didn't see her until 12 hours after I had her). She's now 2 and we're trying to take it from her and she's not wanting to give it up!

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

K.H.

answers from Dallas on

I had the same problem with my now 15 week old. It took just trying different types of pacifiers. Finally I tried the Nuk brand ($2.50 for 2 at Target), and he loves it...won't go to sleep without it!
Hope you can find one that works!

For Updates and Special Promotions
Follow Us

Related Questions