That's it...
I've decided that this weekend we are going to say goodbye to 'TUTU'.
'Tutu' is the beloved dummy (pacifier) of little Mona.
It's 3 am right now over here and i had to wake up to go put 'tutu' back in Mona's mouth!! And this is only the beginning of the night.. I will have to go back another 5, 10 or 15 times in the night! Some times she will find it and put it back in her mouth by herself and other times she is just too sleepy to find it and starts crying and if you don't come at once, then the cries becomes louder and longer till she finally wakes up and then it's really hard to put her back to sleep!
We have considerably reduce the use of the 'tutu' during the day... she only have her 'tutu' when she is about to go to take a nap or when it's bedtime. She occasionally have it when she is tired and being grumpy. And also I think it's the perfect time for her to start learning how to fall asleep and fall back asleep by herself now. So.... as big brother would say: "It's time to go TUTU!"
'Tutu' is the beloved dummy (pacifier) of little Mona.
It's 3 am right now over here and i had to wake up to go put 'tutu' back in Mona's mouth!! And this is only the beginning of the night.. I will have to go back another 5, 10 or 15 times in the night! Some times she will find it and put it back in her mouth by herself and other times she is just too sleepy to find it and starts crying and if you don't come at once, then the cries becomes louder and longer till she finally wakes up and then it's really hard to put her back to sleep!
We have considerably reduce the use of the 'tutu' during the day... she only have her 'tutu' when she is about to go to take a nap or when it's bedtime. She occasionally have it when she is tired and being grumpy. And also I think it's the perfect time for her to start learning how to fall asleep and fall back asleep by herself now. So.... as big brother would say: "It's time to go TUTU!"
(In this pic: Mona, Dolly & Bear fell asleep on the couch)
Negotiating the Peace
Some kids relinquish their soothies without incident; others cling for dear life. Here, a pediatrician and a child psychiatrist give you the skinny on pacifiers and when to pull the plug.
Some kids relinquish their soothies without incident; others cling for dear life. Here, a pediatrician and a child psychiatrist give you the skinny on pacifiers and when to pull the plug.
Why do children use pacifiers?
Psychologist: Sucking is a natural instinct; ultrasound images show fetuses in the womb with their thumbs in their mouths. Sucking is soothing and helps the baby settle down. In addition, it stimulates the baby's mouth, and the rhythm of sucking also relaxes her gut and the large muscles in her arms and legs.
When do they usually stop?
Doctor: Between 2 and 4, though many doctors recommend beginning the process just after the child's first birthday because it's easier to convince a 1-year-old than it is a strong-willed toddler.
Psychologist: The need for sucking generally diminishes at about 12 to 15 months, though experts disagree on exactly when to expect the child to give it up.
Why do some kids use pacifiers longer than others?
Psychologist: For children who need to suck more than others, a pacifier supplies more satisfaction. As children grow, they may become very attached to a pacifier or to a particular object that is comforting and soothing for them—a blanket, a fuzzy animal, a piece of clothing. These are transitional objects. If a child is excessively dependent on a pacifier and shows undue distress when it's removed, that may be a sign of stress or anxiety. She may need more hugs, talking, playtime, and interaction with parents or caregivers.
When is the best time to intervene?
Psychologist: It's generally a good idea to take the pacifier away at around 12 months. This is a time when a child is mouthing everything in sight, so he won't miss the pacifier. But usually the pacifier just drops out by the time the child is about 3.
Is it true that kids' teeth can be damaged if they use a pacifier too long?
DOC: Dentists say the jaw and teeth become permanently affected by pacifier-sucking by 4 years of age. By 2½ or 3, though, most parents will already notice the changes: The lower teeth protrude, creating an underbite, and the front upper teeth sometimes cannot oppose the lower teeth at all. Between 2 and 4, the changes are generally temporary. So if you can wean your child off the pacifier before 4, the teeth should return to their native position.
What are the best strategies for weaning?
DOC: The key is to let the child use a pacifier for sleep and comfort only, and to refrain from automatically popping a pacifier into the child's mouth out of habit. Parents should try to find alternative ways of calming or distracting the child and gradually withdraw the pacifier over time. They should also remind themselves and their child to view the pacifier as a temporary convenience, not a necessity.
Limit sleep-time use. It's not really a good idea to let your child sleep with a pacifier because losing it during the night or during naps can awaken her and interrupt her sleep. If she's already in the sleep-time pacifier habit, however, she's now old enough to find it again on her own and may be able to soothe herself back to sleep with a minimum of interruption. If waking up to find her pacifier has become a problem, help wean her from this use of it. Be aware that there will be a few nights of problems. Give your child an extra dose of love and attention to ease the transition. You might also institute a special nighttime ritual to substitute for the pacifier.
Article taken from www.cookiemag.com
Article taken from www.cookiemag.com
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