PACIFIERS · 2 min read
Can music replace a pacifier? Ask a smaller question.
A melody and a dummy do different things; you do not need a playlist that promises to substitute for sucking.
Avoid a like-for-like promise.
A recording provides sound; a pacifier is an object a baby can suck. They are not interchangeable products, and a playlist cannot be promised to do the same job. If your aim is to change dummy use, ask a qualified healthcare professional about a plan suitable for your baby rather than treating music as a guaranteed substitute.
Keep one familiar part of the evening.
You may enjoy retaining a short song while other parts of a routine change. Its purpose can simply be a recognisable moment with a caregiver. Do not extend the music, increase its volume or repeat it indefinitely in an attempt to make a change happen faster. The song can finish even when settling takes longer.
Follow the relevant dummy guidance.
Recommendations about introducing, using and gradually stopping a dummy depend on the situation and current care advice. Read the linked guidance and discuss questions with your professional. A musical preference does not override those recommendations, and no track should be presented as a method of reducing a baby’s health risks.
Expect the plan to need support.
If a change is difficult, revisit the practical steps with someone qualified to help. Another caregiver may be able to share the workload. Keep music if you enjoy it, or leave it out. Your family’s progress should not be measured by whether a baby settles before a particular lullaby reaches its final note.
A SONG FOR THE MOMENT YOU ARE IN
One small pause.
One familiar melody.
Let’s listen Opens Geppetto’s English baby music playlist on Spotify.
Explore Geppetto’s English baby music playlist