Thursday, June 14, 2007
I Relented
Turns out, that first night was a fluke. Every night after resulted in more and more crying. I can only take so much "Mommy...Mommy...need paci. Mommy..." mixed with sobs (both real and forced) before I crack. So last night, after a good 30 minutes of breaking my heart, I went in and gave her the pacifier. She looked up at me and said, "Thank you," in the most pathetic, exasperated little voice. It was adorable. I've now decided that I care if she ruins her teeth with it...they're all going to fall out anyway. Just as long as she's not that 4-year-old walking around the mall tying to talk through it.
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12 comments:
weak.. stick to your gunns or she will own u! no joke.
peace;)
fortunately for us, neither kid was interested in a pacifier.
as far as risks/benefits, it goes both ways:
Babies who use pacifiers may enjoy some positive health affects, according to dental researchers. A study in the January/February issue of General Dentistry shows that babies who use pacifiers at bedtime may have a reduced incidence of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome.
“Babies who are offered a pacifier do not sleep as deeply as those who sleep without a pacifier,” said Dr. Jane Soxman, author of the study and Diplomate of the American Board of Pediatric Dentistry. “Pacifier sucking makes it possible for the infant to be aroused from a deep sleep that could result in the stopping of breathing. Pacifiers also increase sucking satisfaction and provide a source of comfort to infants.”
Parents, dentists and physicians may be more aware of the down side of pacifier use—including the need for weaning a child from pacifier use, possible tooth alignment and changes in the shape of the mouth, possible mouth lacerations and more.
A study in The Journal of the American Dental Association found that children who continue to suck a thumb, finger or pacifier past age 2 increase their risk of developing protruding front teeth and an improper bite with narrowing of the upper jaw relative to the lower jaw, known as crossbite.
The American Dental Association recommends that parents give their baby a pacifier rather than a bottle of juice, milk or formula at bedtime to prevent early childhood tooth decay and also notes that teething babies might find relief by using a pacifier. Always give your baby a clean pacifier and never dip it in sugar or honey.
I would have given it to her the first 5 minutes. But it's so much easier being Granny than Mommy. At some point she will not use the paci anymore. At least she's not a thumb sucker. You would have to amputate. And She will definately NOT be the one at the mall talking through it! You and I have had this conversation before. You know where to draw the line.
Kathryn is past the prime SIDS age, so I'm not too concerned about that anymore. As far as sleep quality, she's been exhausted all week, which I can only attribute to the lack of pacifier. Last night she slept better than she has since Sunday, so I think Dr. Soxman may be incorrect. Except for the comfort factor.
i heard that new studies show it doesn't interfere with teeth alignment until they start to get permanent teeth. studies schmudies. also, most kids ween themselves off of it due to peer pressure if it gets to be a problem when they get older.
one suggestion i have read to help ween pacifier use:
have kathryn pick out a "special box", like a big girl box. she can then put it in there, and then put it on a shelf so she knows where it is but is not using it. they say it might be better than a child who just doesn't know where it is and panics (in a way). i read that some people put the box somewhere close the first night, then each night, only if she asks for it, bring it out, show her the paci, then have her put it back in the box and move it somewhere further and further away each night. i don't know if it will work, but might be worth a try.
my point of the article was not about the tooth problems, but about possible changes in shape of mouth, etc, from long-term and constant use.
i think you're okay for a while, but my sister had josh barely broken when i had tegan and when he saw tegan's pacifier his eyes lit up and my sister started yelling, "put it away!!! put it away!!!' josh now associates pacifiers with babies, and knows that he is a big boy and doesn't need it.
josh, ky and tegan all have those security blanket-animal things with heads, which they all love. tegan has a bear, ky has two bunnies "pink two-ones" and "blue two-ones", and josh has "gog-gog" a well-loved dog.
i sucked my thumb til i was 11. yes 11 years old!!!! i used to go to sleepovers and watch my friends fall asleep without their thumbs in their mouths. i was amazed!!!
i think drew might be ready for a security animal/blanket (he's got a blue bear that i put in his car seat next to his face).
in reality, i think that his security is just anything up against his cheek. i foudn his today iwth his head at an unsightly angle so he can wedge his cheek against the bumper (while sleeping on his stomach of course). baby's gonna give ma a heart attack yet.
i don't know why drew doesn't take a pacifier. he was a pacifier monger, and then one day it was just "spituey" don't like.
I had a hard time with this one. Ultimately I took it away a couple months before his 2nd bday only because I didn't want to hear it from the pediatrician. I did wean him off it first though - at that point, he only got it in bed, then only bedtime not naps, etc. When she's ready, it'll be easier. He was ready - never complained. I wouldn't have been able to handle it either.
once i was at meijer and there was a four year old with a pacifier. she actually pulled it out, yelled at her mom for not buying her something and then popped it back in.
Yeah. That will not be my kid. She might yell at me, but there will be no pacifier.
Right now she only uses it when she sleeps, but that includes naps. Our big problem (aside from me giving in)is that the pacifier is really her security item. She has blankets and babies and stuffed animals, but she could do without all of them as long as she has a pacifier.
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