How painless is it to wean the baby from the nipple?


A small child likes to suck a nipple. This gives him a feeling of comfort and tranquility, replaces the immediate proximity of the mother's breast. But sooner or later the time comes when the nipple becomes unnecessary. But the baby is so used to it! In order not to harm either yourself or your baby, you need to know how to painfully disaccustom a child from a nipple and a pacifier.

"Suckling" instinct of the child manifests itself almost immediately after birth and constantly accompanies the baby during the first years of life. Most often, the desire to have a pacifier in the mouth is associated with the instinct of sucking the mother's breast. Attachment to the nipple is due, oddly enough, to childhood memories. After all, this process involves the most pleasant moments in early childhood. The child eats, rests, and is very close to his mother. Most babies fall asleep during feeding, when they are already full. A child in 3-4 months begins to poke various objects in his mouth, so he tries to explore his little world. An even greater need for something to live or suck is manifested in those months when its first teeth begin to germinate. All these necessary actions are gradually becoming a habit. And when there really is a moment to wean the child from the nipple and pacifier - there are no comic problems.

Aggravate the situation compassionate parents. If the baby cries or falls asleep badly - the nipple, as a rule, soothes the baby. The association that has established itself since the first months of life works - the child thinks that this is the mother's breast. So next to the food, my mother's care and love. The child feels protected. And this reaction is very like the inexperienced parents. They do not understand that it will only get worse. The child will find it harder to give up the nipple every day. However, it's not just a matter of psychology and habit. Excessive absorption of food through a small hole can lead to ear infection or stomach upset. Also, through the nipple, it is easier to catch the virus due to environmental pollution.

Perhaps the nipple is often criticized more than it deserves. The baby and mother need a bottle, for example, on a long trip. In addition, in the absence of a nipple, a child can suck a finger, which is dangerous. Many children do just that. However, the child's finger is still very soft and the constant pressure from finger sucking can hurt him. But, despite some positive points, you should not abuse the nipple.

What techniques can be used to wean the baby from the nipple? To begin with, it should be understood that simply pulling the nipple off the mouth, the problem can not be solved. The child begins to be capricious, and after a while crying sobs. Can the heart of the parents calmly withstand the prayer for the help of their beloved child? To begin with, you should try to distract the child's attention by any other activity while he is without a nipple. At least for a short period of time. Play with it, sing a song, talk, arrange a cheerful performance. Do this regularly, gradually increasing the length of the child's stay without the nipple. The baby should form a stereotype that without a nipple can also be good, and even fun! Of course, this requires patience and a certain perseverance. But the result is worth it.

It was proved that prolonged use of a bottle with a pacifier slows the development of the child's speech. Therefore, try to stimulate the child so that he learns to speak. The more lengthy syllables of the word he will repeat, the less he wants to take the pacifier back into his mouth. At this time the child learns new facets of the world, learns. And learning and a thirst for knowledge is also a strong instinct that distracts attention. Of course, playing with children using a pacifier is not recommended. But in a particular case it can be useful.

If your child is very difficult to give up a nipple, perhaps a maneuver should be used. Start with the fact that constantly and systematically remove the pacifier from the mouth during sleep. When a child (and an adult) wakes up, it takes some time to orient. Or, as they say, finally wake up. It is much more difficult for him to imagine what he needs. And the bottles, little by little, the children begin to forget. Do not keep a pacifier near the child during the period of weaning. Let it not be visible, so that the kid does not think about it. If necessary, explain to the growing up child that he is already "big". And "big" do not need nipples and pacifiers. Another option (he, by the way, worked in our family) - convince the child that the nipple was lost. But the child's verbal assertion can not be fooled! Look for the loss with the baby and of course - do not find. Now he will definitely know that the nipple is really not - and will learn to do without this subject. By the way, when you search for a child and you will get great pleasure from the game. During this time, you can switch attention to other activities, and the kid will forget about the nipple for a long time. Painlessly weaning the child from the nipple and pacifier, show softness. But at the same time act with determination and perseverance.