Many
babies like the self-comforting behavior of sucking on a thumb,
finger or pacifier. Whether you choose to allow your child to
suck on one of these items is your decision.
Some
parents feel that a thumb or finger is the better choice because
it is always available. Others feel that a pacifier is better,
since you can decide to later take it away. Some parents do not
want their baby to use either.
Most
children
do well
and enjoy
the self-calming
and self-comforting
behavior
that sucking
on a thump
or pacifier
provides.
And as
long as
it is not
negatively
reinforced,
most children
give them
up some time during
the first
year.
It
is probably
best to
wait until
your newborn
is about
one month
old before
you introduce
a pacifier,
especially
if he is
breastfeeding,
so as not
to interfere
with his
feedings.
And try
not to let your
baby learn
to fall
asleep
with a
pacifier,
because
if she
does and
it later
falls out
of her
mouth and
she wakes
up, she
will probably
cry until
you put
it back in her
mouth. |
