The Pacifier

I've always had this aversion to pacifiers. I can't remember why. When a friend gifted my son a pacifier, I just politely smiled and when she left, I put it aside with no intention whatsoever of using it.

When our yaya went for her monthly day-off yesterday (it was her birthday last Saturday and she returns today), Leo and I were left to take care of Basti. I don't mind as it's the time that we can bond with our son. However, by mid-afternoon we were both edgy as the baby hasn't slept the whole day. He would take naps but each nap would only last 30 minutes the most. A far cry from his usual 2-3 hour naps. We nervously took him to church with us and I was thankful that he slept most of the time.

We did our usual night time routine for the baby and he would sleep after the feeding but he would wake up 30 minutes after. By 9PM, Leo and I agreed that I would take the first watch and he'll take the second--this in case the baby would not settle. We we're praying that he would sleep as he hasn't slept the whole day. However, we read in the baby book that an over-tired baby would have difficulty falling asleep.

While Leo was sleeping, I breastfed Basti and watched as he was lulled off to sleep. I laid him on my chest while I slowly lied down on the bed. I told myself that if he would sleep like this for an hour then I'll put him on his crib and thank God that he did! While the baby slept, Leo got up and persuaded me to use the pacifier. In the whole day that we've been taking care of Basti, he noticed that the bottle lulls him to sleep and he ends up not drinking the formula. I reluctantly agreed after he listed down the pros and cons that he found over the net with the pros outweighing the cons.

I'm glad I agreed to it as Basti slept for 3 hours straight last night only to wake up for feeding, and he's still asleep until now after a 530AM feeding. I don't know if the pacifier really did the trick but I would try it again if it would mean calming him down.

Now, if I can just remember why I don't like it in the first place.