Soothing Remedies

After the pacifier is gone or the thumb isn't in the mouth, your child may need a replacement method to soothe. Try some of these sensory activities to get your family through the transition.

• Suck yogurt through a straw!
  • A pacifier would certainly get in the way!
• Blow bubbles into milk with a straw!
  • Is there a more pleasing sound?
• Play a recorder or kazoo!
  • Maybe in their own room?
• BEAR HUGS!
  • Compression is the key here to fulfill the sensory need.
• Back massage!
  • Same as with a hug, the pressure will help, especially right before bedtime.
• Squeezy toys such as stress balls, silly putty or playdough!
  • Squish that little ball to relieve pent up feelings.
• Rocking chair cuddles!
  • The rocking motion is soothing to little ones who are upset.
• Body pillows!
  • Great for bedtime or for squeezing.
• A weighted blanket!
  • For children who are especially anxious about giving up their pacifier.
• Chewy snacks!
  • What better way to occupy the mouth muscles that are accustomed to sucking.
• Apply lip balm to lips!
  • Some habits replace others, and one of those can be lip licking or picking. Keep those lips smooth and provide a sensory experience with chapstick.
• Baths!
  • There's that water thing again. Water not only gets them clean, but creates a new environment in your own home and is a great distraction for bad moods (created by loss of pacifier or just a hard day).
• Settle Me jars, opens a new window or snow globes!
  • Shake it up and let it fall, allowing your child time to center and calm themselves.
• Fish tanks or an aquarium video!
  • There are many apps or streaming channels have these lulling scenes to watch when your child is on sensory overload.
• Yoga or breathing exercises!
  • Even just taking a few deep breaths can settle a riled child.
• Light up/lullaby toys!
  • If falling asleep at night is hard without a pacifier, try one of these, opens a new window toys.
• White noise machines or apps!
  • Softly playing white noise can calm your anxious child or help them fall asleep.
• Yardwork!
  • Great for working gross motor skills and tuckering them out.
• Stretching and tense/relax exercises!
  • Squeezing and releasing muscles will help reset your child's brain when they're overstimulated.
• Animal walks!
  • Your child won't be able to think about a pacifier while they're walking on all fours and roaring like a lion.
• Care for a pet!
  • Taking care of another living being reminds children to think about others and shifts the focus away from their own thoughts for a little while.
• Take a stack of books out of the library!
  • This isn't just shameless promotion, I promise. Carrying heavy objects can satisfy sensory needs.
• Blanket burrito!
  • Try not to nom on those yummy toes while providing compression.
• Spin like an airplane!
  • Just please don't get too dizzy.
• Wall pushups!
  • Pushing away from the wall can expel energy when you don't have any other outlets at hand.

I'm sure many more ways exist, so please share! I found many of these by searching for sensory and calming activities.