Toddlers from 6 months to 3 years old are in constant need of attention. As they start growing, their needs and behaviour change over time. As a toddler parent, you ought to have noticed that. They are constantly irritated and cockling at the same time.
Sometimes even when their bellies are full, they still cry all time and if you are a busy mommy, you surely have given them a pacifier to linger onto something. Pacifiers are something that relaxes and soothes them and calms them. You can then carry on with your day’s work. But now since your toddler is growing up, you are wondering how to wean your toddler off a pacifier.
A habit takes 21 days to form and 21 days to go away. Babies indeed attach to things very quickly and it is quite hard to detach them from things. We will advise you to start slow and replace pacifiers with other soft toys.
Pacifier use should be stopped towards the end of one year. Otherwise, it can lead to permanent damage in-ear and tooth disformity.
Pacifying toddlers without using one
- Bouncy baby, happy baby
Many doctors recommend buying a rocking cradle that can move and sway the baby with good soothing music. To distract them you can even hang photos of you and your partner so that they don’t feel alone while you are not there. You can even wear baby wraps to take them with you while you are doing your work.
- Distract them with dance and music
When you are with them make sure you do something out of the box. Sing a song to them, Dance with them. Laugh dramatically. Do anything to keep their pacifier away. Get them flying balloons and turn some music on.
- Toys and cutesy stuff
Give them building blocks, rubber chew toys to help them with their teething too. Get them a soft toy to shift their focus from pacifiers. Keep a lightning lamp every time while they are asleep. A little comfort light in the room can help them sleep better.
Just make them realize they don’t need a pacifier to feel secure, they have got an amazing mommy like you!
Your affection displaying and love gestures can make them learn too. This is also a learning stage for them, whatever they will see they will learn. For example, they will grow bigger and they will learn what is good and bad for them or how to keep some temptations away. For instance the pacifier.
Try to inculcate some good food and bed manners and do them in front of your toddler, they will learn the same. They surely won’t be able to respond but they do understand words and emotions.
Make them decide things on their own too. Let them choose colours, food, bedtime stories, music., clothes of choice, shoes, gaming activities, etc. A perfect balance of independence and responsibility will help your toddler learn and grow better with time.
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