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Calgary, Alberta, CANADA

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Dentist Ashley Talks Pacifiers [Soothers]
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Blog, Dr. Ashley, Expert Interviews, Parenting

Dentist Ashley Talks Pacifiers [Soothers]

March 14, 2021
-
Posted by Lauren Rodych-Eberle

Dr. Ashley is back, and this time to talk soothers. Or pacifiers, rather. But before I let Dr. Ashley do the talking, I’ll share my story. When I had my daughter, I didn’t want to introduce a soother until after 6-weeks of age, to make sure we had breastfeeding fully established, I was listening to and understanding her cues, and that she wasn’t ever using the soother as a substitute for nursing. That was simply my personal preference. But then, 6 weeks came and Collins had zero interest in it. We kept offering it for naps, simply because I wanted my husband to have a resource for when I was working, and he was supporting C down for a nap. By about 10-weeks of age, she took to the soother! She would only take it for some naps and nights, which was fine by us. Then, by 10-months of age, she just gave it up cold turkey on her own and had no desire to ever see it again.

Every kid is so different when it comes to what they like and need. It’s always interesting to hear the stories, even from kid to kid in the same household. But, no matter what your child’s soother-use looks like – has one, doesn’t have one, uses it a little, uses it a lot – Dr. Ashley is going to have all the info you need right here!

Understanding Pacifiers

Babies have a natural desire to suck. The need to suck when fluid is not being introduced is called non-nutritive sucking (ie. pacifier, finger/thumb sucking, etc.). Non-nutritive sucking is comforting for your child, and this is where introducing a pacifier can be great.

Pros of Pacifier:

  • Provides comfort for your child
  • Preferred over thumb/finger sucking, because it can be an easier habit to break
  • Some studies show pacifier use to reduce the risk of SIDS
  • Preferred over putting your baby to bed with a bottle (this can cause baby bottle tooth decay and should never be done)

Cons of Pacifier:

  • Increased risk for developing acute otitis media (ear infection) in children aged 2 to 3-years-old
  • Increased oral and gastro-intestinal flora, leading to infection
  • May disrupt breastfeeding in early months
  • Prolonged use can cause problems with how teeth and jaw grow

Because of the persistent sucking motion, pacifier use can cause problems with how the teeth and jaw grow. Depending on duration and frequency of use, these changes can start to be seen as early as 2 to 3 -years-old. A child’s natural desire to suck lessens between age 2-3, so this can be a great time to wean. However, every child is different. Some wean earlier, some wean later. There are pros and cons to both. You need to consider your child’s development and emotional state (ie. life changes, sleep regressions [sleep progressions], stress, illness, etc.) when deciding to wean.

The CDA recommends that pacifier use stops before permanent teeth come in (about age 5). Any negative changes that have occurred to your child’s teeth from the pacifier are usually transient until then (unless your child has a skeletal component, which your dentist will have diagnosed). If the habit continues when adult teeth come in, talk with your dentist about what actions to take.

Again, every child is different. Weaning will look different for each family. Don’t feel guilty if you wean a 6-month-old or 3-year-old, or if your child never took a pacifier. You know your child best.

Pacifier Safety

Some Do’s & Don’ts:

  • DO Properly Clean
  • DO Examine daily for tears and replace if worn/cracked
  • DO Replace every 2 months
  • DO Make sure pacifier has a large oral shield with at least 2 vent holes
  • DO Use non-toxic material
  • DON’T Use a pacifier with separate parts
  • DON’T Tie around child’s neck or crib
  • DON’T Dip pacifier in honey, sugar, or corn syrup
  • DON’T Use your mouth to clean your child’s pacifier, especially if you have cavities. Cavities are contagious!

Weaning

Early Weaning – 6-months-old and under

Pros to weaning early:

  • Prevents pacifier-attachment
  • No effects on teeth/jaw

Cons to weaning early:

  • May not fulfill natural sucking desire
  • May cause baby to turn to thumb or finger sucking instead

Late Weaning – 2.5-years-old and up

Pros to late weaning:

  • No longer has sucking desire
  • Understands why it’s important to stop

Cons to late weaning:

  • Emotional attachment to the pacifier has developed
  • Potential changes to teeth and jaw

Pacifier Weaning Options [Choose which works best for your child]:

Cold Turkey

  • Choose a date and time
  • Prep child one week before (“On Monday, the pacifiers are going bye-bye”)
  • Continue prepping through the week. “Big girl/boy change”, why it’s important, etc.
  • On that day, make sure all pacifiers are gone from house, car, daycare, etc.
  • Give extra snuggles and attention
  • Give new comfort item (teddy bear, blanket)
  • When child wants to suck, give them a straw with water
  • Ideas: Trade in pacifiers to dentist for a toy/prize. Trade in pacifiers for a gift/experience from caregiver. Use sticker charts and positive reinforcement. Pacifier fairy takes pacifiers away from under their pillow and replaces with a gift in the morning. Read books about saying “bye” to the pacifier.

Pros to Cold Turkey: No confusion about when pacifier can be used
Cons to Cold Turkey: Depending on child’s attachment to pacifier, they may feel hurt and upset

Gradual Weaning

  • Prep child in the same manner as above, 1 week before: big kid transition, etc.
  • Start by weaning duration and frequency
  • Decrease use during the day
  • Then use only at night/naps
  • Then use only at night
  • Then wean completely
  • Ideas: Say “bye-bye” when pacifier is going away. Create a routine (hug, wave, say “bye” to pacifier). Keep out of sight when not using. Play games like peek-a-boo and hide-and-seek to help teach separation and return. Positive reinforcement and cuddles!

Pros to Gradual Weaning: Can help manage their emotional attachment better
Cons to Gradual Weaning: Can be confusing

Book Suggestions to Help

No More Pacifier, Duck by Michael Dahl

Pacifiers Are Not Forever by Elizabeth Verdick

However you wean, have patience and give a lot of encouragement! You may have to do a combination of weaning ideas. You got this!

March 14, 2021
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I’m Lauren and I have a deep passion for music, food, the outdoors, and travel. I love random questions and fun facts, and am always searching for better ways to bring wellness and health into my life. I am the owner of Miss Lauren’s Music Studio, where I teach voice, piano, ukulele, and preschool music classes – via Skype and within Calgary. I am a Senior Consultant for Pampered Chef, which has inspired me over the years to write two cookbooks (plus one mini ebook cookbook), that have food preparation made easy in the forefront.
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I’ve very much noticed this be a trigger point for me since having kids, because J and I both have big families, and although their gift giving comes with so much heart and generosity, I’ve tried to find ways to bring in less stuff and to teach my kids to appreciate each gift, sooo less is more. 

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Taking your car to the shop with car seat aged kids. 

Do you hang out in the shop with the kids for hours? Do you bring travel car seats and install them to get them home? Honestly, what have y’all done? Having another human help isn’t the solution here for me this time…😅
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Countdown to see you, @throughcarrieslens!
“Don’t worry so much about raising good kids t “Don’t worry so much about raising good kids that you forget you already have them.”🤍
J: Can we start weekly date night again? Also J: J: Can we start weekly date night again?

Also J: Okay, see you in two weeks after our road trip. 

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Ready to hear my biggest overwhelm? The stuff. I Ready to hear my biggest overwhelm?

The stuff. I know this is a privileged point, so please be kind. I’ve always attempted to be a wannabe-minimalist (seeing as I have two of everything living between two places, but I want everything to have a purpose and a ‘home.’). 

I’ve very much noticed this be a trigger point for me since having kids, because J and I both have big families, and although their gift giving comes with so much heart and generosity, I’ve tried to find ways to bring in less stuff and to teach my kids to appreciate each gift, sooo less is more. 

Many years ago, my siblings adopted Sibling Christmas where instead of gifts, we have a special night out together! We love this tradition. After the overwhelm I felt this Christmas, being generously gifted Eberle gifts for now TWO kids, I asked J’s siblings if we can adopt a family-friendly event next year and remove all aunt/uncle/cousin gifts. Shout out to all my brother/sister-in-laws for getting on board. 

With C’s birthday party coming up, she asked for no gifts (OR a book as a gift).

Small steps, but always trying!!

Have you found any ways to minimize the stuff chaos in your house?!
You know what’s the trickiest thing to navigate You know what’s the trickiest thing to navigate while solo parenting?

Taking your car to the shop with car seat aged kids. 

Do you hang out in the shop with the kids for hours? Do you bring travel car seats and install them to get them home? Honestly, what have y’all done? Having another human help isn’t the solution here for me this time…😅
There is no one more present than a baby. Our kidd There is no one more present than a baby. Our kiddos have so much to teach us. 

#babyrodycheberle2
🎶’Cause I got a roof over my head I got a war 🎶’Cause I got a roof over my head
I got a warm body in bed
I'm doing alright right where I'm at
With what I have

[I got a Jeep, I got a dog]
I got what they call a dream job
Plenty to want, nothing wrong with that
But I'm happy with what I have

I got the air, good eyes to see
Got so much more than I'll ever need
Even the bad days ain't all that bad
With what I have🎶
-Kelsea Ballerini
It’s not a competition, but if J was trying to w It’s not a competition, but if J was trying to win at Christmas, he did. For my gift he booked @throughcarrieslens to come follow our family on our Anniversary hike this year and take pictures of our butts…🤣 Maybe it’s because he knows pictures of him wearing our babies has me like…😍

Countdown to see you, @throughcarrieslens!
“Don’t worry so much about raising good kids t “Don’t worry so much about raising good kids that you forget you already have them.”🤍
J: Can we start weekly date night again? Also J: J: Can we start weekly date night again?

Also J: Okay, see you in two weeks after our road trip. 

[A real conversation we had recently…
Appreciate the sentiment, AND weekly may have been a bit ambitious.]
Thank you to @babyknitsco for this toque. Thank yo Thank you to @babyknitsco for this toque. Thank you to @schoenanigans for this onesie that will live on for every kiddo. Thank you to my non-Instagram husband for these babies.
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