Soothing Sucking and Other Comfort Measures

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By Suzanne Dixon M.D., M.P.H.

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"There is nothing so amazing as the development of a child," says Suzanne Dixon, M.D., a behavioral and developmental pediatrician who was one of the founding members of the Pampers Parenting Network. "Every day is a new adventure when you have a child around you. I never get tired of learning from the children who have been a part of my life, professionally and personally."

Suzanne Dixon, M.D., M.P.H., was born and raised in Minnesota and graduated from the University of Minnesota, School of Medicine. She did her pediatric training at Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston and then completed a fellowship in Child Development at Boston's Children's Hospital. Dr. Dixon joined the faculty at the University of California, San Diego, and did patient care, teaching, and research for 20 years. She ran a large newborn service, performed research in early child development, and was involved in many community outreach activities in maternal child health. Throughout her entire professional life she has maintained an interest in cross-cultural activities, living and working in many parts of the world, including Mexico, India, Kenya, Indonesia, and several countries from the former U.S.S.R.

Dr. Dixon is the author of numerous research articles, review articles, and textbook chapters in pediatrics, child and family development, and public health. Her textbook, written with Dr. Martin Stein, Encounters With Children: Pediatric Behavior and Development, has become a classic in child health education and is in its fourth edition. She is Editor in Chief of the Journal of Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics, an international journal of high standing in the professional world. She also has served as an associate editor for Infant Mental Health and currently reviews for several major pediatric journals.

Dr. Dixon is a fellow of the American Academy of Pediatrics and served in national positions in that organization. She is a member of the Society for Pediatric Research, the Society for Research in Child Development, the American Public Health Association, and the Executive Council of the Society for Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics. She serves as consultant to several national and international organizations and has received an award from Healthy Mothers, Healthy Babies.

Dr. Dixon continues to lecture and consult worldwide on aspects of maternal, child, and family health. She practices behavioral and developmental pediatrics in Montana and works with local advocacy groups on education and women's health. Dr. Dixon has been married for over 30 years and has three sons. She and her husband travel frequently, are outdoor enthusiasts, and enjoy being amateur anthropologists

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Sucking is a healthy, self-comforting behavior for newborns. A 3-week-old baby will resort to sucking her own fingers — or yours — as a way of calming herself when she's upset or trying to settle down. You can help your baby master this skill by leaving her hands bare (no mitts or covers), wrapping her up with her hands near her face, and putting a rolled-up hand towel or receiving blanket behind her shoulders to help round them forward when she's in her infant seat.

Front Packs and Swings to the Rescue!
One thing babies this age have in common all over the world is the tendency to build up to an afternoon or evening crying jag. This crying doesn't mean that your baby is missing something, or that you're doing anything wrong — it's caused by her maturing nervous system. Of course, knowing that may not help when you're listening to your baby wail. Try to stay calm. Rock, sing to, and swaddle your baby. Carry her in a front pack during the day — it can reduce the duration of the crying later on — and try putting her in a swing; the motion can often help quiet a distressed baby.

FYI: At this age, babies are demanding and haven't given back much yet, so it can be a particularly hard time for you. Lack of sleep and big changes in the old routine can hit parents very hard. Hang in there! Try to think of this as a brief extension of your pregnancy. Rest when your baby sleeps, and be sure to eat regularly.