Soother guide for parents

Soother guide for parents How to use and handle the soother responsibly

All about soothers Parents only want the very best for their child and for them to grow up healthy and happy. During infancy, the soother plays a more or less important role. So it’s all the more vital that you make informed choices about soother use.

We now know that baby’s sucking reflex is already present in the womb: the baby sucks on a hand or finger. So, sucking is not just about food intake; it also helps the baby calm and reassure itself, has a relaxing effect and supports the ability to concentrate. Sucking is a reflex and a natural, innate need of any baby. There are many opinions on the use of soothers, both positive and negative. Parents are sometimes at a loss as to how to use them, and are uncertain what is the best thing to do. In this brochure, we aim to give you information that is supported by informed expert opinions and scientific studies. The information should help you to make decisions on the responsible use of your baby’s soother. Did you know the soother was invented many centuries ago by frustrated parents desperate to calm their babies? They weren’t as technologically advanced, light, flexible and friendly to the jaw and palate as modern soothers, but they still served their purpose.

Soother benefits at a glance

The soother… ♥ satisfies the natural, non-nutritive (= not for food intake) sucking need, when the baby has already been fed and is full, but still wants to suck ♥ calms and relaxes the baby when all other attempts to comfort it have failed ♥ helps to reduce the sensation of pain – during vaccinations or taking of blood samples, for instance, or to soothe little aches and pains ♥ helps minimise the risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS). The causes of this syndrome are still unclear, but studies indicate that the soother can provide some protection against it. According to experts, the use of a soother is particularly useful between 2 and 6 months of age.

True or false? The soother can cause confusion during breastfeeding and shorten the duration of breastfeeding. This statement is not definitively proven scientifically, and expert opinion is divided on the subject. Doctors and midwives world-wide recommend giving the baby a soother only once breastfeeding has become established. Usually, this works well from as early as 1 month of age.

True or false? Soothers can cause dental misalignment. If the soother is used sensibly, that is, as a sleeping aid or to provide comfort, and the child is weaned off it early enough, there is usually no risk of permanent dental misalignment. But if toddlers have the soother in their mouths for more than 6 hours a day and/or use it for longer than 4 to 5 years, there is a risk of misaligned teeth. Paediatric dentists therefore recommend that soother use be stopped at the age of 3.

Dental or Natural shape? Dental long shaft

Natural

flattened angle

long shaft

symmetrical thin shaft

thin shaft

concave

Supports the natural development of jaw and palate thanks to optimally shaped teat

Symmetrical shape that feels like mumâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s breast. Eases the transition from nutritive to calming sucking

The best shape is the one your baby prefers

Requirements

Cleaning

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for a soother

Less volume in baby’s mouth Flat teat Thin shaft Lightweight and flexible teat Bite-resistant teat Slightly curved shield

and hygiene

* *

* * * * *

Boil the soother for 5 minutes before first use. Then allow it to cool properly and if necessary squeeze any water out of the teat. Wash soothers regularly with warm water and a little washingup liquid; alternatively, boil in water or steam sterilise. If the soother falls on the floor, please don’t put it in your own mouth to clean it, as this could transfer bacteria and viruses to your baby. 1 baby = 1 soother! Siblings shouldn’t use the same soother. Thoroughly inspect soothers for tears or holes before each use. Always replace the soother at the first sign of wear or damage. Replace soothers that are used regularly every 2-3 months. Replace soothers immediately after the child has had any infectious disease (e.g. a cold, stomach flu). It’s best to use a soother box or protective cap when out and about.

The 10 most important points for responsible soother use

1) When is it helpful to give a child a soother? The soother as a sleep aid. The soother can have a calming and sleep-promoting effect, and is therefore particularly useful at afternoon nap time and/or at bedtime. 2) How long should the soother be used? Use the soother sensibly and thoughtfully right from the start. Duration is a key factor. The soother should never be in the child’s mouth too often or for too long. Too many hours a day over the course of too many years, can have a negative effect on dental alignment and speech development. It is the parents’ responsibility to decide when and for how long they want to give their child a soother. Allow your child to cry and complain from time to time without giving him his soother straightaway. This is how the child experiences and learns how his voice sounds and how it works. These are the first steps in speech development. 3) Nursing mothers: Based on clinical observations in breastfeeding counselling, it is recommended that a soother not be used until the baby has learned to suck

on the breast without difficulty. Only then should the soother be given sensibly and thoughtfully. 4) Soothers should never be used instead of a meal or to postpone a meal. Only offer the soother if you are sure that your child is not hungry. 5) A child’s crying affects us. It’s the only way he has of letting us know that he feels unwell or needs something. When a child cries or screams, there can be a variety of reasons. Perhaps the child doesn’t want to suck, but has other needs such as hunger, fear, wants to be picked up or needs its nappy changing, or it wants attention or physical contact. Get to know the body language and the type of crying (the language of your baby). 6) Dentists, speech therapists and experts recommend that by 3 years of age at the latest the child should be fully weaned off the soother, to prevent possible dental misalignment. Please make sure your child doesn’t have the soother in his mouth for longer than 6 hours a day. Your baby’s mouth is not a garage for parking the soother!

Please give your child his soother in a considered and responsible way. 7) Don’t give your child his soother if there is no need to. When children are playing, talking and are happy, they don’t need a soother. Please make sure your child doesn’t talk with the soother in his mouth. 8) The European Academy of Paediatric Dentistry (EAPD) advocates the use of a soother rather than sucking a finger. Thumb-sucking can lead to dental misalignment, among other things. It’s also easier to wean a child off his soother than wean him off sucking his thumb. 9) Scientific studies have shown that the soother may offer some protection against sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). You can give your baby a soother at bedtime from the age of 1 month. If the soother falls out while the baby is sleeping, it need not necessarily be put in again. After about one year, the risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) is very low, and the soother then no longer has a preventive effect in this regard.

10) The soother can often be helpful during painful experiences or in unpleasant situations, e.g. for painful or unpleasant examinations at the doctor’s or hospital, vaccinations, taking blood samples, or to equalise the pressure when travelling by plane.

Adieu, dear soother Your little treasure has celebrated his 3rd birthday. The first few years have flown by. Your little one is about to embark on a new stage of life – without his precious soother. You will need a lot of patience and resourcefulness to persuade your child to say goodbye to his soother.

and to decide how the precious little comforter is to be given up. It makes it easier to let go if the child is allowed to have a say.

Tips and tricks to wean your child off his soother

The wrong time: Do not start the soother weaning process if your child is facing any stressful situation, such as the birth of a sibling, a journey, a move, illness, major changes, etc.

Preparation: Slowly and gently prepare your child for the time when he will need to say goodbye to his soother. Start in small steps by giving him the soother less and less often, such as only giving it at afternoon nap time or in the evening to help him get to sleep at bedtime. Also gradually decrease the length of time the child is allowed to have the soother. Most of the time, the child doesn’t even notice. A child should never feel forced to give up his soother by punishments or reprimands.

1) ‘Soother tree’: Every child likes going to the zoo. In the Zoolino at Zurich Zoo, there is a ‘soother tree’. Go there with your child and visit the soother tree. Suggest to your child that he hang his soother on the tree and leave it there. Don’t forget to take a piece of string or a ribbon. There are other soother trees in the Tierpark Goldau, in Rünenberg, Basel Land, Diepoldsau, Eastern Switzerland, in the Museum of Communication at Burgdorf in Bern und in the Familienzentrum Weinfelden.

Talk to one another: Goodbyes are never easy. So it’s very important to discuss the soother’s farewell with the child in advance,

2) Your own soother tree: Create your own soother tree, either at home or in the garden of a relative or friend. Ask if you can hang the

soothers on a tree there. This symbolic act helps the child to better understand the finality of the action. 3) ‘Soother safe’: As from mid-September 2017, there is a new Family Adventure Trail on the Zugerberg which features what is probably the first ‘soother safe’, in Switzerland. The soothers that children drop into the safe are then passed on to the soother fairy. 4) ‘Soother fairy’: Have you ever heard of the ‘soother fairy’? She comes and takes soothers away when no one’s looking. Talk to your child about it and plan a time when the child feels ready to invite the soother fairy to come and visit. Your little one can then choose a place himself, and leave the soother there for the soother fairy to collect and take it away. You and your child could also wrap up the soother in a pretty package for the soother fairy. Make sure there are no more soothers in the house after that. The fairy comes in the night, and in the morning there’s a little surprise gift in the place where the child left his soother.

5) Farewell rituals: Give free rein to your imagination and together with your child, think up an exciting farewell ritual. For instance, you could bury the soother in your own garden or organise a nice farewell party with the family. 6) Fly away: There are beautiful helium balloons available in all imaginable colours and shapes – there are even soothershaped balloons! Say goodbye to the soother with your child, tie the soother to a balloon and let it fly away. You could also attach a list of wishes. Your child will probably protest or even cry, but that’s all part of it and is completely normal. Stay firm and comfort him.

‘Soother tree’ in Goldau

Maybe you could do something else together afterwards, like have an ice cream, go to the zoo or choose a gift in the toyshop. 7) Give it away: If the child agrees, he could give away his soother as a gift. Discuss with him who he would like to give his soother to. 8) Read together: Reading with children is something very beautiful and precious, and gives you the opportunity to talk to your child about all kinds of things. There are many beautiful childrenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s picture books that explain to the child, in an age-appropriate way, why he should give up his soother. 9) Out of sight, out of mind: Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s helpful if your child canâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t see his soother. Hide all soothers and only give the child a soother in emergency situations such as pain, illness, take-off and landing in a plane, or vaccinations. 10) Santa Claus is coming! All children look forward to the visits of Santa Claus and the Easter bunny. During the festive season, children are distracted by other activities such as presents and family visits. Use this opportunity to persuade your child to give

his soother to Santa Claus or the Easter bunny. He then gets a present as a reward. 11) Distraction: If your child asks about his soother, try distracting him with games, cuddles or reading a story. 12) Stay firm! The crying may go on for several nights. Try to stay strong and get through it. Give the child a cuddly blanket or his favourite stuffed toy instead of the soother. Have a cuddle with your baby, give him a massage, play him some music, give him a warm bath or a nice warm drink before putting him to bed. Stay firm, because if you give in, what you get is a classic conditioning scenario where the child learns that all he has to do is cry and he will get his soother back. Caution: We strongly advise against shortening the tip of the teat or damaging the soother in any way in order to wean the child off the soother. Doing so could potentially lead to choking as a result of the child swallowing small parts.

What works for one child does not necessarily work for another. We’ve given you some suggestions, but perhaps you have a few good ideas of your own as to how you can make it easier for your child to give up his soother. We would be delighted if you would share your ideas and experiences with us, and you would certainly be helping other parents. Please send your ideas and experiences to: bibi@lamprechtag.com.

References 1. Jaafar SH, Jahanfar S, Angolkar M, Ho JJ. Effect of restricted pacifier use in breastfeeding term infants for increasing duration of breastfeeding, 2012 Jul11; (7) 2. Lins U. Der verantwortungsbewusste Umgang mit dem Schnuller aus logopädischer Sicht. Thesis zur Erlangung des Master of Science, Juni 2010 3. Hauck FR, Olanrewaju O. et al. Do Pacifiers reduce the Risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome? A Meta-Analyse, Pediatrics 2005;116;e716 4. Gederi A, Coomaraswamy K, Turner P J. Pacifiers: A Review of Risks vs Benefits. Dental Update, March 2013; 40:92-101 5. Schweizerische Stiftung zur Förderung des Stillens: Empfehlungen zum Umgang mit Schnullern bei gesunden Säuglingen, Nov 2004 6. Karp, Harvey, M.D.: Das Glücklichste Baby der Welt