I have a 14month old girl who sleeps very well through the night and at naptimes with a blanky and pacifier. She does not use the pacifier at all except for sleep. When she wakes up in the morning, she tosses the pacifier back into the crib, because she knows it is for sleep only.
We are planning to get rid of the pacifier this weekend and I am looking for any tips or stories from other moms who have been through this. How did it go? Any helpful hints? My husband and I are prepared for sleepless nights, which is why we have chosen this "downtime" where everything is relatively calm in our household. How long should we expect before she acclimates?
Thanks!
I think she is a bit young to put her through that (sorry, just an opinion)Especially, because she only uses it at night. My 2 boys used them until 2 1/2 years old and their teeth are fine. When she is a little older, you could take it to a toy store and "trade it in" for something she wants?
I also think that she is too young to have to give it up. I would not worry until about 2 and a half. You are very fortunate that she will leave it in her crib. She is already being so good about it...i would let it go for a while.
I agree with the other responder that she might be too young to get rid of it. If she's already tossing it back in the crib in the morning, I think this is a good sign that she'll eventually give it up on her own (though it may take several months). It probably isn't hurting anything at this point and it gives her some comfort, which is something someone so little needs.
My daughter had hers a long time (until she was three) and her teeth are totally fine. It bugged me sometimes, but she really seemed to need it. When I thought she might be ready to give it up, I explained to her that she was a big girl now and that she could throw it out whenever she wanted to. When, at last, she decided to do it, my husband and I got her a little gift. After that, she asked about the pacifier occasionally for a few weeks, but there were no major meltdowns over it. And, actually, she seemed proud of herself even though (or maybe because?) it was a little hard for her to do.
So, the short version of my advice, based on my own experience, would be to wait until she's really ready. This will save everyone a lot of pain and suffering. It could also be a really good learning experience for her when she finally does give it up. Good luck!
My son was about 2 by the time he gave his up. He was the same way, he only used it at nap times and at night. He would chew on his a lot and we would tell him not to because as soon as it got a rip in it he would not be allowed to have it anymore. So one night we looked at it and it had a rip in it so we told him no more binky it's got a rip and we threw it out and he went right to sleep and never asked for it since then, and now he is 3 years old.
