Help! My 6 Month Old Still Won't Take to the Pacifier

Not all babies are the same, some like pacifiers and some don't, let her be. If she is teething she could be in pain, a couple good homeopathic remedies for teething, chamomile and pulsatilla, also rubbing some peppermint oil on her gums will help numb them (just a little it is strong)

Some kids don't like a pacifier. My son loved his. My daughter used it very little and weaned herself before she was 8 months old.

Try baby orajel before she gets too fussy. Maybe she is over tired in the afternoon.

Some babies just don't like pacifiers, and there's nothing you can do to change that.

Also, most babies like to be held. That doesn't mean at all that your daughter is a slow learner. You'll probably just have to hold her as much as possible. She'll be independent soon enough. Before you know it, you'll blink, she'll be 16 and wanting the car keys.

Hold her.

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Actually, consider yourself lucky! If she's made it 6 months without the pacifier or thumb she really doesn't need it now. If she found it to be soothing, she would have done it by now.

I doubt your child is a slow learner because she won't take a pacifier. And, don't worry about the toys in the mouth; every baby does this. They're just trying to learn more about the world around them.

If she's getting fussy around 4:00, create a diversion or distraction. Put her in a stroller and go for a walk. Take her somewhere in the car and go to the mall - anything to switch it up a bit.

Have you tried a baby swing for when she's fussy?

Consider yourself lucky that she won't take to it; you won't have to break her of it later! She's to the point now that she's starting separation anxiety. It won't hurt her to cry some. If you know for sure that she's having teething pain, then by all means, try to comfort her. However, if she's crying "just because", then let her cry a while. Babies only develop in one area at a time. They either grow physically or mentally. They can't do both at the same time. If your little angel isn't sitting up yet (alot aren't able to at this point in time still) then she's learning.

We had the best of luck with the Baby Einstein DVDs to pacify the girls. They don't seem like much to adults, but they have some wonderfully colored pictures and soothing music to entertain wee ones. Perhaps you can put her in her playpen or high chair and turn one of those on while you get a much needed break. Or, if you don't want to do that, put her in one of those 2 items where she is still able to see you and you can talk to her so she knows you're still there, but don't rush to her side as soon as she starts to cry. She will learn rather quickly. GL

My first wouldn't take a pacifier no matter WHAT I tried - some babies just don't like them. She was also a screamer, but mostly at night. For the first 8 months of her life she'd scream for about 3-4 hours EVERY night from around 8 and on. It was terrible and we sometimes joke that it's a miracle she's not an only child ;) Hang in there, it gets better!

Have you tried wearing your baby? It keeps her close to you while allowing you to have your hands free to accomplish household tasks.

Babies are very oral, meaning that the way they learn about the world around them is by putting it in their mouths :) Very normal.

Give you baby lots of tummy time and prop her up with pillows to encourage the sitting. Have you tried a bumbo? Those are pretty handy.

The most important thing to remember is that EVERY baby is different and will reach those milestones when they're good and ready. Don't compare your baby to a book, website or other children. If she's happy and healthy and continuing to make progress (even at her own pace) then don't worry :)

Has she been checked for reflux? If she is in pain, self soothing may not happen. My first had it and when we got him checked out and on some medication, everyone got some much needed sleep. I do know a lady who thought her daughter had reflux and the dr was against pursuing to see if that was what was going on. She went along and her daughter's esophagus had some damage and she is now going through therapy for speech and learning to eat really slowly because of it, so I think it is really good to check on that. If she is fussy all evening and throws up a lot after every feeding, that is a good indicator of it. As far as the paci goes, neither of my boys every wanted much to do with them, they figured out real fast nothing was in there and that was it!! I figured it was one less thing to break them of later and just let it be. Mouthing toys is totally normal and appropriate for her to do at this age and she will likely continue to do this for many more months, it is how she is discovering what the toy is all about and yes also teething on it:) Babies developmentally usually are learning how to roll in both directions at six months. Sitting up is something that is acquired closer to the eight month marker. You can always use a bumbo seat and she will probably really enjoy that. Or just sit her up and support her. Each baby is different because their head to body ratio has to be right before they sit up and crawl. Both mine could roll really well by six months, crawled around eight months, my first walked at 11 months. My baby now is nine months, so the jury is still out there. To me she sounds like a perfect little baby and not developmentally delayed at all. The most pressing thing I think is to figure out with your pediatrician how to make her more comfortable so everyone can get some rest. Here is a website I found very helpful as a new mom: www.babycenter.com. So many great answers to tons of my questions the first time around. Also, you can just google something like "development for six month old baby" and get lots of good info that way. Take care!!

You shouldn't push your kiddo to take a paci. Lot's of 70536 kids don't like them. Also most 6 month olds don't sit or at least not well. She might be able to pull off a tri-pod sit with he hands in front of her. Try it. If not work on it no biggee. I also don't think liking only toys she can put in her mouth is not unusual especially while teething. I know my kiddos were always extra cranky in the evenings, it's normal. Get a sling, wrap, or backpack and just try to keep her close to you in the evenings. When she feels older and more secure she will be better at self soothing.

Hi there. I have two kids and neither one would ever take a pacifier and I tried so hard!!! My son sounds similar to your daughter (he's 6 now) when he was a baby. It was hard work. My daughter (1 yr ) is a more easy going baby but again she is not that great at self soothing. Good luck. Maybe it is a personality thing. Let me know if anything works for you.

Hello! When my son was a baby would have nothing to do with pacifiers, thumbs, bottles, or anything else that would have provided me with a moment's peace. A sling helped me to get anything done during this period.

yeah if she doesn't like a pacifier now she's not going to and thats fine. You can't force it on her. My babies never liked one so they never took one. It's a good thing if holding her calms her down that means she just needs some closeness from you to feel safe and that is a good thing. I worked in a daycare and in the evenings that was like the magical fussy time for babies. I don't know why but man some days were tough. Because I worked there when I had my babies I was prepared for that. Lots of times they're just board. Try taking her in a different room in your house when she gets fussy. Keep some special toys in that room that she only gets to see during that fussy time. Just that change might help calm her down. Maybe turn on some music etc.

There is usually a reason why babies cry. Just sticking them in their cribs to cry by themselves doesn't solve the problem. Late afternoon is frequently the worst time of the day for many/most babies. Some families call it "the witching hour" or "hell" or some other similar name. Often babies are getting to the point where they don't need quite as much of a nap as they used to, but they need a little bit more than they're getting, so they get tired and fussy and worn-out, but it's too early for bed. It sounds like you're giving her exactly what she needs -- mommy time and snuggling. Get some sort of baby carrier so you can hold her and still have your hands free to get done what you need to. Get a crock-pot and make supper in the morning, so you don't have to deal with a crying baby and making food in the witching hour. Perhaps rearrange your schedule or some activities, and take her for a stroll outside (weather permitting) in the afternoons -- most babies love to be outside. If you have a park close by where children play, it might be a good distraction for her to go watch them play. Do you have friends who live close by, particularly another mom whose husband works late? Could the two of you get together for supper (which you've made in the crock-pot in the morning), and let your kids play while you talk?

She really is too young to self-soothe. Yes, we make babies do that in our culture; but in other cultures where babies are happier, they carry and hold babies all the time, and are very responsive to them.

Since it's only in the afternoon it sounds like the typical "witching hour" problem. She is probably overstimulated or over tired. The things that worked for me was to either nurse my son or put him in his swing and stay out of view for about 5-10 minutes. In the swing, he would cry for a few minutes and then fall asleep. But if he could see me, he would cry non-stop and not sleep. Sometimes even holding my son didn't work so at least that works for you. It was like he was too tired to sleep and tired of playing and didn't want to be held, sung to, etc. She will grow out of it. If you have the time and it works, I think it's OK if you hold her.

I don't think she is a slow learner because she can't sit up or suck her thumb/pacifier. I would be grateful that she doesn't take a pacifier or suck her thumb because that's such a hard habit to break. If she goes to bed on her own, then she is able to self soothe because she soothes herself to sleep every night. I don't think it's that unusual for her to not sit up at six months. Babies and children don't learn or gain muscle strength at exactly the same rate. In the end, it all evens out so I wouldn't worry about it.

It's also common for a baby her age to put everything in her mouth. They explore objects by tasting it, biting it and sometimes even hitting themselves with it. Since she is probably also teething, that would be all the more reason she likes toys that she can put in her mouth. You can also sit down with her and show her how to play with toys. Babies are born with the instinct to put things in their mouth but they aren't born knowing that you roll or bounce a ball and shake a rattle.

Good luck and I hope you find something that helps keep her from being fussy in the afternoons. And don't worry about the rest. She is and will be fine. :)

Hi, I want you to know I think your daughter is on track for her age.

Have you ruled out any food allergies? I nursed and my son had colic-like symptoms which ended once I cut out diary. The Dr. said the allergy symptoms build up over the day, which is why he got so hard to soothe as the day went on. So maybe you should talk to your Dr to see if the late day fussies may be medically related.

It's great that your daughter is going to sleep well! That shows she can self soothe.

When my son has afternoon fussiness, I turn on either cheerful or soothing instrumental music; it helps.

Also, sometimes when my son has days of fussiness, I change up his toys. He fusses more when he is bored with his toys. Another thing I noticed was a surge in fussiness before a milestone (like sitting up). It is like he is expressing his frustration about reaching a difficult goal and he needed to be held more.

I think some babies nap three naps at her age. Maybe she needs a cat nap? My sons third nap was always short.

So she doesn't care for a paci. Okay. No big deal. My son wouldn't take one at first, then started using one (around 6-7 weeks) and then quit using them on his own around 5 months. He was a lot of work then, and was still at 2 years. He was just a "typical" boy: very busy, all the time, into everything, didn't want to be held-wanted down on the floor so he could DO things! Except when he was tired and it was time for bed, then he wanted me to hold him or lie down with him(when he was about 1 yr old).

So... you've learned lesson #1. All things tried and true, aren't. You'll just have to say: "okay, that doesn't work for him, so what can we try as an alternative?" Practice this. It won't be the last time you'll need it. :)

Have you tried getting him a special blanket or a super soft and cuddly stuffed animal that he can hold when he is cranky? My son had a stuffed snowman that became his "lovey"... he slept with it at night for about 8 years. My daughter is more "lovey" involved than he was, though. She has multiple stuffed animals and still (at 9 yrs) chooses a different one each night.

Have you tried putting him in a swing or activity chair/bouncer during his cranky period? If there is nothing that helps, then you might consider rearranging your activities a little, so that at his crankiest time, you are available for him. Eat early or late if you have to.

sounds similar to my son and he is 1 today. he never liked the paci so i wouldnt worry about it. and i dont think she is a slow learner my son pulls himself up to stand and cruise/walk but rarely if at all sits up. and he only had two teeth up until last monday so she is gonna get multiples all at once. and you have a lot of great answers so i have to say with both of my sons being under 3 my hubs works night and i am a stay at home mom to with help from my fil some times from 4-8 is a crying match around here the best for me is the swing or get down in the floor and play one on one. good luck and i would say you have a perfectly normal 6mo god bless.

There are several different types of pacifiers and teething toys, you might want to look around online or at babys r us, target, specialty stores... I use Hylands Homeopathic Teething Tablets. My son likes them a lot. Sometimes you have to learn to let your kids self-soothe. You can also try an electric toothbrush or other vibrating toy resting on her crib mattress or get a vibrating swing or chair to strap her in. Also, if she is 6 months old, you can introduce solids? Maybe try a goldfish cracker or teething cookie. My son loves to gnaw on these when he is teething. Good luck! And don't worry if your baby gal does not like a paci. It will be good for her teeth, palate and health too! (fewer germs...)

When is she taking her afternoon nap?

When my brother was a baby, you would even stick a binky in his mouth for a second he would gag and spit up all over the place, my sister on the other hand, had to be forced away from her binky at the age of 4! And my niece could barely sit herself up when she was 7-8 months old. And she was fussy ALL the time. I highly doubt your baby is a slow learner.