Paci or Thumb???

Question

My LO is almost 2 months now. This past week just started sucking his thumb. I've tried giving a pacifier and he Gags/spits it out. Does not want to take it at all. I have heard conflicting things with thumb sucking and how hard it will be to break the habit later. I know pacifiers are supposed to reduce risk of SIDS which is a bonus. Is there a certain brand that is more preferred for breastfed babies perhaps? I EBF, so not sure if that has anything to do with him not wanting a paci. I don't want to force the paci idea as he seems content with his thumb, just confused because I've read different things on which is better for baby. What do your LOs prefer?

Answer

It's his choice to make, not mine 😊 So far he kinda hates the pacifier and keeps sucking on his whole hand which doesn't seem to satisfy him much. It's cute. It reminds me of my baby cat who didn't know how to wash himself for months (kept tipping over). I was also a thumb sucking / blanky kid so I'll mainly be focusing on good ways to trick him outa whatever he chose when he gets older.

Answer

I EBF and he will only use the MAM brand, but he is a thumb sucker as well, every ultrasound I had (several) he was sucking on his thumb/hands. Evervsince he was born he's tried to master the skill outside of the womb but his arms were too jerky and he could never keep it in his mouth long enough and he would get so frustrated, it broke my heart to watch because it was what he used to self soothe in the womb and he tried so hard to continue once he was born. So I introduced his paci and he likes it, but still practiced a lot to get at that thumb, he's now 7.5wks and his motions are becoming much smoother and he's able to suck on his hands/thumbs easier, and the look of contentment he gets on his face once he gets ahold of his hand is priceless. So with all that said I'm going to let him choose his own method to self soothe, be it the paci or his thumb I'm ok with either. I was a thumb sucker myself until the age of 7 and suffered zero side effects. So since I was a blankie and thumb kinda kid I empathize with his need to self soothe and I remember clearly the contentment it brought me. Also, thumb sucking helps reduce the risk of SIDS just the same as thumb sucking so either is good. Breaking the habit of either can be tricky and both have there pros and cons. But if it's apparent that regardless of which you definitely have a self soother on your hands so I say let him choose which ever he would like and in the meantime focus on the pros of having a self soother because it definitely can be a plus for mama too, and worry about the process of breaking the habit when it's time to cross that bridge. 😊

Answer

My son uses a MAM pacifier and his thumb. So far he only uses them to fall asleep. Neither bothers me. All 5 kids in my family did one or the other and we're all fine.

Answer

You can get rid of a pacifier but you can't get rid of his thumbs.

Answer

If I can go back in time I will never let my son suck his thumb it ruined his shape of the head because he had to be in certain position to reach his thumb. His thumbs had dark wound like spot because of too such sucking.

Paci or Thumb???

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