I am really close to the edge...the pacifier edge! - Page 2

[MsVyky]

I gave my baby a paci in a moment of weakness, but I dont regret it. She spits it out when shes finished with it and it gives me the sanity that is slipping away.

I have not notices any issues with nipple confusion either (she is 6.5 weeks and didnt have a paci until a couple weeks ago)

[Shy0717]

I too agree that you should try a paci. If that's what gets you all safely from point a to point b go for it. My ds also used to cry in the car and still fusses occasionally now at 5 1/2 months. Someone here recommended turning the radio to a static station (try the AM setting) and blasting it. THIS saved our lives. Everytime ds got fussy I blasted the static. Ironically it drove me less nutty than his crying and he usually settled quite quickly and dozed off. I reccommend if you're going to try a paci and your little one takes it to buy several. My little guy is in the drop/throwing phase. So he likes to drop his toys and pacis out of his carseat and then fusses because he can't reach them. It's much easier to grab the extra binky or toy you have sitting in the seat next to you and pass it back instead of reaching around and searching the carseat. Good luck mama. Try the static a few times though...i really think it works.

[seafox]

Another one w/ a car hater here. We only *just* started traveling with DS alone (rather than both of us going) and he's almost 6 months old. Going anywhere with him at <3mos was awful. We always planned long trips (>1hr) *first* thing in the morning or after bedtime so he'd sleep. Any other time he'd scream like we were torturing him.

I'd sit in the backseat and give him a finger, his giraffe, distract him, even nurse him sometimes but nothing really worked. He just hated the car seat. At around 4 mos. he started to take the pacifier (we offered it starting at 3 months) and that certainly has helped a ton (I can get him to sleep) but I still have to sit back there with him.

even now, I wouldn't go anywhere >20min drive alone w/ him.

I'll have to try the static thing! We never tried that.

[emmalizz]

.

[dachshund mom]

We tried a car paci, but DD wouldn't take it. Give it a try!

What helped us when DD was little was rolling the windows down. Also, only going somewhere AFTER a nap. DD rarely falls asleep in the car and it's bad news if she gets sleepy back there (unless I'm available to nurse her to sleep in the seat lol). Oh, and a toy that talks! We just got this stuffed dog that you can hook to the internet and put the child's name in, so it sings songs about her. It lives in the car and she gets a big smile when she gets in the seat.

[JessieBird]

I'm another one who was very anti-paci until DS started screaming in the car and went through an early bout of teething that made it impossible for him to stay asleep. I was so reluctant and at first hated the sight of a paci in his mouth, but honestly it made him so happy in both of these situations and it had no effect whatsoever on our nursing relationship. Before the paci, I tried everything and was determined to AP by the book through the tough times. I felt like a failure for even considering a paci. Now I realize that in most cases there is no harm and that making my child feel better so that we can maintain our happy connection is what it's all about. Now at 1 year old, he is using the paci less and less and I can't even remember why I hated the things so much, though I admit that I still don't like the look of them (thank goodness DS took to the transparent colourless Avent ones, they're fairly innocuous). Give it a try.

[agoldenlife]

Originally Posted by odoole

I'm confused. Why wouldn't you want to give her a pacifier?

If it helps her to feel calmer and more secure, as they do my son, I think it would be to everyone's benefit to let her have one.

My son loves his pacifier for times when he's feeling upset -- i.e. car trips and when he's fighting sleep. Other than that, he has no interest.

I agree with the above. There are times when after trying everything, it is the only thing that calms/soothes my daughter. Pacifiers are not bad as long as they are not over used.

[Pumpkin_Pie]

I had a screamer in the car too. DS HATED the car with a PASSION when he was an infant, so against my better judgement, I introduced a paci just for use in the car. I would only let him have it in there, because my breast physically couldn't be in his mouth when I was driving. He calmed down, and car rides were much easier. It wasn't perfect, but it definitely helped. He ended up giving it up on his own at around 6 months, and car rides have pretty much been fine since then.

Your sanity while driving definitely counts for something, I would go ahead and give the paci in the car only and not stress about it.

[dearmama22]

you sound just like I was.

I hated the paci and refused to give my son one. Then one day, when he was 3 months old and I was going crazy, I gave it to him. Once you start there's no going back!

It's awful! I have a love/hate relationship with it. It is great for sleeping, car rides, etc. I try not to let him have it unless he is in the car or sleeping. He has learned to put it in his mouth by himself but when he wakes up in the middle of the night he can't find it... that's a problem

It really is a love/hate relationship. I hope to get rid of it soon!