My son turned 2 last month and still uses his Nuk at naptime and bedtime only (it stays in his crib). I had told myself that when he turned 2 I was going to take it away cold turkey. But, now that time has come and passed and I am finding myself "scared" about what his sleep habits will be like without the Nuk. He is an excellent sleeper but seems to really associate the Nuk with going to sleep. Once you put the Nuk in his mouth, he starts rubbing his eyes and acting tired. Lately he seems more "attached" to it than ever. For example, he will grab it out of his crib during the day and walk around with it in his mouth. When I ask him to put it back he won't and then ends up throwing a tantrum when I take it away.
I'm looking for ideas on how to be successful with getting rid of the Nuk!!
Thanks
Just get rid of it. I am a firm believer in that. Get him a lovie, a stuffed animal anything that he can hold on to while he sleeps. My daughter loves her baby doll. He may just need that comfort so replace it with something more age appropriate. He will be upset at first but kids are very adaptable. Good luck and be strong.
Hey Alison,
Ooohhh the Nuk. Everyone loves the Nuk. As a former preschool teacher I have taken many Nuks. I began to acquire a bit of a reputation at my preschool because somehow my room turned into the potty-training, sleeping on mats, giving up Nuks and time-out room. Not sure how I feel about that, ha! I was nice... but I had 3 year olds and I couldn't keep track of Nuks and bottles and kids jumping up off mats at naptime, etc....
Okay - so... Nuks. Here is what I've done for years, and it totally, totally works. Take it with a grain of salt as I obviously don't know you guys - but I've done this not only with my own, but with my preschool classes as well.
Over the course of about 10 days, cut his Nuks down with scissors. The first time, do just a teeny-tiny bit. Make sure you cut all of them down the same length every time, equally.
After a few days the nipple of the Nuks should be about half way gone. At the end of 8-10 days, there should be no nipple at all.
I simply explained that the Nuk was all gone.
Reactions - some kids would get frustrated, and talk about it for several days before being willing to throw it away. Some kids would cry. Some would be totally okay with it and collect all of the Nuks and toss them out themselves.
Your son's reaction will depend on his personality and also on your approach. Treat it the exact same way you'd treat an ice cream cone or another yummy treat - its gone! Uh-oh... all gone! And try to keep it very light and surface. After a moment to let it sink in.. move on quickly. Don't try to do anything. Find some toys with him or start a game... after a little while he'll bring it back to you asking what happened... and you just give the same response. After a while, he'll be alright with it. Maybe not at first - but after a while he will be fine.
Eventually you can throw them all away.
Its a much more pain-free way to do it than to just take them all at once, and it logical. He can't suck it if the nipple isn't there. And although he may carry the plastic piece around for a while... the mouth-fixation thing will die down and he'll move on.
Just a suggestion.
Good luck!
the most important thing to remember is that once you decide on the action you are going to take, you need to follow through. even if he tantrums & cries- What I have learned is the consistancy with any child it what they need- so if you choose to go the route of cold turkey then stick to it. Parents that tend to give in only make whatever they are trying to accomplish much more difficult for their child. A dentist told me that once a child starts getting teeth they should not have a nuk- something to do with how teeth come in- I'm not so sure about that, maybe some other moms can share what worked for them- My youngest is 6 and she only had a nuk for 6 months
good luck too you!
As a daycare provider and a mom to 5 I think the best advice I have had and given is to just take it away. I have one little boy who hasn't had a nuk here since he was one but still had it at home for bed, well about the time he turned 2 his parents said he started wanting it constantly, they finally just chucked it and he protested a bit and that was it.
I think it all depends on what YOU can tolerate, your child will be fine in the end.
For our 2 that used nuks, it was always so scary and then once we did it we wondered why we were so worried. It was actually a lot easier than we anticipated, and we were so glad to be done with the tantrums, whining, etc. that goes along with it. I say, just do it! Two or three days later, it will all be over :)
I cut the tip off of my son's a little at a time and noticed one day he wasn't using it and threw them all away.
We have a 2 1/2 year old daughter who was very attached to hers. She too had it at naptime and bedtime only. We set a date and for us it was a trip to Disneyland in May, but you can use whatever you want. (Park day, Toys r Us...) Anyhow for two months we talked to her everyday saying that you need to get rid of it before you go or you cant go! She didnt like the idea at first but after everyday telling her that the time is getting closer she got used to the idea. Then one day I picked her up from day care and said tonight she was going to be a big girl and go to bed without it. She said okay mommy i am ready! To my surprise she gave it up and we have not had an issue for 3 weeks now. She even says that she gave it up and now she gets to go to Disneyland. So what I am trying to get across is that if you drill it into his heads for a good month or so, he will eventually realize that you are not joking around and his Nuk is really going to go bye bye, and he will give in. Patience that is all I can say! Good luck
My daughter had her binky all the time when she was younger. Then from age 1-2, she only had it at bed/naptimes. I had also planned on getting rid of it by age 2, but was expecting a 2nd child so was going to wait until later.
She had been going to a new daycare center starting July 09 and I found out in October 09 that she has never taken her binky during naptime there. I was astonished because she always takes one at home!
That night, I decided to get rid of it. She asked for it when we got ready for bed (she is in a toddler bed) and I asked if she has one at daycare and she said "no" so I told her she was a big girl and didn't need one anymore. I almost acted like it was silly that she acted like she wanted it. There were a few tears (I made sure to rock, cuddle and sit by her a little longer that night). She fell asleep pretty easily. The next night she aske for it once and I then again told her she was a big girl and she left it at that. She has asked for it maybe 2x since then and we've never looked back.
I NEVER thought it would be that easy. I think I was more attached to it than she was!
My nephew was four when he got rid of his (only had it at bed/naptimes). My brother had him give all of them to my son at Christmas time since my son was a baby and he needed them. Even though he was so very attached to them, after giving them to my son, he never asked for one again!
I think you'll be surprised at how easy it MAY be. Good luck!
