We just got rid of my daughter's pacifier a few weeks ago. We told her Tinkerbell was taking it and she got a gift in return, one of those light up turtles that put stars on the ceiling. She has actually been OK with the whole thing. Since then, she has not slept through the night, waking up every 2 hours to get me and tell me the turtle is off, or to fix her blanket or to open her door a little. The only time she will finally stay in bed is if I threaten to close the door completely. Then she cries and tells me sorry and will finally stay in bed. I was wondering if anyone else had this problem when taking away the pacifier and what you did about it.
Thanks for all your responses. I ended up putting a night light in her room but that didn't not help any and atone point, after being up every 10 minutes for 3 hours I tried to give her back the pacifier..and she would not take it. Last night, she woke up around 11:30 saying her eczema was itchy (she has had it really bad since she was born. I gave her some benadryl and she didn't wake up until 7:30am. I wonder if the itch is what has been waking her up...even though it doesn't look bad, maybe she has had enough. But that, is a whole other story....Thanks again for all your responses!
Get a small nitelight - maybe even have her pick it out so it's a special new thing for her. This way there is a light on all the time.
I did not have this problem with my daughter when she traded her "paci's" in.. but I would suggest that you do 2 things:
1) If she is bothered by the turtle turning off, give her a nightlight.. and explain that you know the turtle goes off after she falls asleep, and that it's okay.. he is going to sleep too.
2) Get her a "lovey" to sleep with. Something soft and snuggly, that she can soothe herself with.. that's what the paci was for her... a self-soothing device. Replace it with a huggable item. Some of the SOFTEST stuffed animals are at Target in the toy dept for about $12. It's worth it.
i took my children and grand children to the beach and told them they were big kids now and that the baby fishes needed the pacifier more than they did and that their mommies could not get out of the water to go to the store to buy them one. and that the mommy fishes sent a doll or stuffed animal to them to say thank you they were young enough they never questioned the fact they could send a gift but could not go buy a pacifier. good luck J.
Sucking motion readjusts the cranial bones. Craniapaths often employ patients using the sucking when adjusting the cranial bones. Pacifiers and thumb sucking are ways of "self adjusting"
Dr. Major DeJarnette the renoun craniapath with whom I had the honour of studying used to talk of the folly of trying to impose behaviours on our children when those behaviours are compensating for a physcial situation.
Let Tinker bell return the pacifier and I think you'll get a night's sleep without the trauma(to you and your child) of threating her.
best of luck-k
Even though she has seemed OK with it, it's obvious that her comfort has changed (is gone) and it is affecting her being able to sleep well. She needs some sort of alternative to replace the comfort she had. She was given the paci, allowed to create a strong bond with it and become accustomed to having it fulfill her natural need to suck/create relaxation. Now this has been ripped from her. All of the other excuses/reasons for calling you to her room are obviously a simple request for companionship and comfort during this very difficult change for her. As annoying as it is, over and over again, try to be sympathetic to what has happened to her and the changes/adjustment her little mind/body are trying to adapt to. Some people/kids take longer to adapt to change and comfort measures being removed. I know my husband has a very hard time sleeping without white-noise (a small fan)... he would get little to no sleep, therefore we even travel with one....Maybe come up with something else she is allowed to have/use such as a wet washcloth, teether or similar item? Since it's been more than a few days I really think she needs some help adusting or finding an alternative.Best wishes on making her comfortable so everyone sleeps well!
Wait it out, it will pass
I think you did the right thing taking her paci away. Those things can really ruin her teeth. She may just need something to cuddle. My son likes t-shirt material, so I cut a piece for him to hold, and my daughter likes stuffed animals. It's different for every child. There are those really soft blankets. Also, my daughter loves soft, relaxing music to fall asleep to. There are also white noise machines.
Please don't let anyone make you feel wrong about taking away her paci. It's definitely better for her. Just make sure you find another comfort for her.
I have not, but have you tried talking to her about it when she wakes up instead of just getting her back to sleep. Try being as empathetic and compassionate as possible and talk to her about how hard it is to give up a pacifier. Assure her she will make it through this tough time and you will be there to hold her whenever she needs it in the meantime. Sometimes just telling kids, "sure, you can get up all you want in the night" suddenly they dont seem to need it as bad. Just a thought. Good luck.
Problem is YOU are not getting proper rest. I finally told my son "enough"..."I'm going back to sleep and so are you"...
Getting frustrated is not the answer.
Good luck.
