how do I get this kid to take a pacifier

Okay I admit my motivation is very selfish. My older 2 kids sucked their thumbs. One kid stopped at age 4, the other is 5 and isn't stopping. While no harm has come to either... oldest has nice teeth and the die hard thumb sucker has no speech problems... well I got so much crap from people that I am adamant about this one not sucking her thumb. However, at 2 months old I can say she hates the pacifiers. I have tried several. Spits them out and looks right at me while she attempts to get her fingers in her mouth. Is there a trick to this? I completely stopped trying at bedtime because they would make her go from calm to hysterical.

how do I get this kid to take a pacifier

My DS never took a paci and never sucked his thumb. I wouldn't force anything. It is completely normal for a 2 month old to want to put their hands in their mouth. I would just roll with it.

Re: how do I get this kid to take a pacifier

Does she spit it out on purpose or is she frustrated after she spits it out because she can't get it back?

If it's the latter - try a wubbanub - when my DD spit it out - the wubbanub prevented it from going to far so she could get it back in her mouth. It was a life saver for a while. Still, at 4 months she started to refuse it altogether and I don't think there was anything we could have done to go back to it.

how do I get this kid to take a pacifier

DS never did either. I introduced a lovey early and just did whatever made him happy

Re: how do I get this kid to take a pacifier

Re: how do I get this kid to take a pacifier

Re: how do I get this kid to take a pacifier

I wouldn't force it

how do I get this kid to take a pacifier

I have tried to give DD a pacifier and she will suck on it for a few seconds and spit it out. She has a wubba nub that she uses in the car but honestly the suffed animal seems to soothe her more than the pacifier. She sucks on her hand and has since birth-it soothes her and as my pediatrician pointed hand:thumb sucking is the only thing a baby can do to self soothe. I do not think there is anything you can do to force a baby to take a pacifier.

how do I get this kid to take a pacifier

My son spits pacifiers almost across the room. I sneak one into his mouth during his bedtime feeding after I take out the bottle and he sucks for a while then realizes its not a bottle and shoots it out of his mouth.

how do I get this kid to take a pacifier

We tried 10 different pacis and gave up. She loves her thumb.

Re: how do I get this kid to take a pacifier

I don't think you can force it. DS never took to the pacifier and never sucked his thumb. Each kid has their own preference. You just kind of have to go with it.

Re: how do I get this kid to take a pacifier

DD didn't take one either. I introduced a lovey early as well. Don't force it.

Re: how do I get this kid to take a pacifier

If she isn't trying to suck her thumb then you may have nothing to worry about. My suggestion would be only to use the pacifier if she puts her thumb in her mouth. Use it as a replacement for the thumb and that might make her more interested in using it.
When you see her sucking her thumb get the pacifier and immediately make the switch. If she doesn't seem interested in sucking her thumb it might not be an issue. My DD wasn't interested in a pacifier and doesn't suck her thumb. She puts her fingers in her mouth from time to time but other than that, no issue.

Re: how do I get this kid to take a pacifier

DC#2 prefers a lovey, and doesn't want a paci (or the thumb) which is the complete opposite of DC1. So I think they are going to do what they are going to do.

If your DC isn't going for the thumb I wouldn't stress it and just be grateful

Re: how do I get this kid to take a pacifier

Message edited 7/16/2014 5:29:53 PM.

how do I get this kid to take a pacifier

But at 2 months old they all put their hands and fingers in their mouth. Them doing it now is not really an indication that it will be a habit.

how do I get this kid to take a pacifier

Dd did not take one till 4 months old. I tried every few days. I ebf and only have 1 side so I could not be her paci.

Re: how do I get this kid to take a pacifier

It is totally natural for a newborn to want to suck thumb or hands. I wouldn't try to interrupt baby's self soothing process. You've already witnessed how upsetting it is to her. Tune out other people's criticism if you end up with a child thumb sucker.