Weaning a child from a pacifier can be the right solution if the mother’s condition does not allow for direct breastfeeding. However, weaning from a bottle can make your child dependent.
Before you start weaning your baby from the bottle, you need to make sure the reason is first. According to Pediatrician, dr. Meta Hanindita, Sp.A(K), sudden weaning may occur due to several conditions.
“Sudden weaning can be caused by the mother being sick for a long time and having to get treatment, such as chemotherapy drugs, or pregnant women and breastfeeding is not recommended,” said Meta in the book. Mommyclopedia : 456 Facts About Breastfeeding & Breastfeeding.
“Meanwhile, a sick baby is not a reason for sudden weaning.”
The process of weaning occurs when the baby receives other foods other than breast milk. Intake of these nutrients can be in the form of solid foods and formula milk.
Cause of weaning
Mother is sick and is taking medicines that prevent her from breastfeeding.
- Mother has breastfeeding problems that are prolonged and not resolved immediately, such as mastitis or nipple pain.
- Mother is pregnant again
- Mother returned to work and could not do lactation management properly.
- Mother experienced stress to depression.
- There is no support from the surrounding environment.
The weaning process should be done in stages, yes, Mother. This is so that babies can get used to the taste of milk other than breast milk.
 Bottle Pacifier Illustration/ Photo: Getty Images/iStockphoto/Pilin_Petunyia |
Weaning from the pacifier bottle
The time to start weaning is different for each child. However, you can start weaning your child from 9 to 12 months. The American Association of Pediatricians (AAP) recommends weaning children before 18 months of age.
Weaning from a bottle is one option to meet child nutrition. Bottle pacifiers can also provide comfort at feeding time.
But there are several reasons why a pacifier shouldn’t be used for weaning for too long. Children can become dependent and don’t want to stop breastfeeding from a pacifier, even until they are two years old.
Not only that, there are problems that can arise and interfere with the growth and development of children who continue to wean from the pacifier bottle, you know. Reported WebMD and books The Baby Book by William Sears. MD and Marha Sears, RN, here are 5 problems that can arise when a child aged 18 to 24 months is still weaning from a pacifier:
1. Causes tooth decay
Babies who fall asleep with the pacifier still in their mouth can prevent the milk from being swallowed, so it will stay in their teeth.
The sugar contained in milk will cause your child’s teeth to be eroded or damaged, Mother. Well, to prevent this, you can move the pacifier bottle before your little one falls asleep.
2. Causes crooked teeth
Using a pacifier until a child is over two years old can affect the growth of teeth, especially the gum line and roof of the mouth. If left unchecked, this condition can lead to the formation of crooked teeth.
3. Increases the risk of ear infections
Children who drink milk from a pacifier often like to lie down, Mother. This behavior can actually increase the chance of ear infections.
Milk can enter the back of the throat and stay there. This can be a place for bacteria to grow, you know. These bacteria can climb into the ducts Eustachius in the throat and ears.
4. Influence facial muscle development
Sucking on a pacifier continuously can change the position of adult teeth, which can affect the development of the muscles of the face and palate.
It can also easily lead to an overbite which may later need to be corrected with orthodontics such as braces.
5. Associated with causes of obesity
Research shows that children who are still using a pacifier at 2 years of age are more likely to be obese by the time they are 6 years old.
Most children like to suck on a pacifier even though they are eating solid food, Mother. This can increase their calorie intake and lead to obesity later in life.
How to wean a child from a pacifier
It’s easy to wean a child from a pacifier. In fact, the most difficult part of this method is to stop your child from drinking milk from the pacifier.
Stop drinking milk from a pacifier can be done gradually, yes. For example, you may stop one feeding session at a time in the morning or afternoon and only give it at night. In addition, you can also encourage your child to drink from a cup.
It should be noted that children actually have to know how to drink from a cup before being given a pacifier bottle. Many pediatricians recommend introducing a milk cup when your baby is 6 to 9 months old.
But if you still decide to use a pacifier bottle, there’s nothing wrong with consulting a lactation counselor first. This also applies to early weaning.
Also check out 5 ways to deal with swollen breasts when weaning a child, in the following video:
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