Getting Rid of the Pacifier - Jackson Heights, NY

I have a baby the same age. She doesn't use a pacifier, but she does nurse still, morning and night. My husband keeps asking when I am going to wean her but as far as I'm concerned, she'll wean herself when she is ready. It is only at night and first thing in the morning so it doesn't affect the rest of the day or anybody else's lives. Sounds like your baby's pacifier habit is similar.

I'm wondering why you are choosing to try to take it away from him at this point. Sucking is very soothing for our little babes, and although he is probably running around and trying to use words, your son is still a little baby. This is such a controversial issue for some, but I would suggest that you give him a little more time with the pacifier. If sucking is comforting to him, a toy or a blanket is not gonna cut it. Kind of like when I want a piece of chocolate. A warm homemade roll, although comforting at times, just doesn't fill the need within me that chocolate does!

My son was hooked on pacifiers especially at night or for comfort. The pediatrician said get rid of it when he was about a year old. Well - I did nothing and glad I didn't. around 2 or 3 he came downstairs and said I am done with these and threw them away! I say leave him alone and relax, kids transition when they are ready. My son recently turned 10 and told me I am not going to sleep with my stuffed animals anymore - the next day I found them in his closet. Enjoy the moments - he will not go to college with his pacifier!

My daughter was 3 when she finally gave it up! I used the Nuk Fairy as a helper. The nuk fairy brought her a big girl pize! I also cut the nuk a little. She did not like that! It will happen in due time!

wait till he is closer to two befoe you take it away at night if it is that important to him. then one night just cut of the nipple on it and get rid of all of the others, so you can not cave in. and just tell him here it is but it's broken. same one every night each and every time.works on bottles too. good luck

I agree with the other Moms - just let him keep it at night. I took it away from my daughter during the day (except for naps) and that worked well. She decided on her own to give it up at 3. He certainly won't head off to school with it. When my daughter gave it up, she was always hungry at night...duh...need for oral fixation...so don't be surprised by that when he does decide to give it up.

One other thing I did with my daughter was to pull it out of her mouth when I went to bed if it wasn't out already. Sometimes they just need it to get to sleep and then they are fine. But it is better to be out than in so there are no teeth issues (yes they still happen with pacifiers, not just thumbs). Stick with nothing during the day and follow his lead at night and all will work out.

We took away the pacifier when ours was 26 mos old. We had a newborn at the time, so we used it as a "big sister/big girl" moment. She only used it in her bed for napping and bedtime. The "pacifier fairy" came and took it and left her a present. We built it up BIG time before - letters to and from the fairy, a phone call, etc., to get her soooo excited. And she was so excited! The first night was a bit tougher to go to sleep but no other problems at bedtime after that.
She did however give up her naps that day (and she was a GREAT 2 hr a day napper!) and it was the worst 6-7 months until her little body got used to less sleep. I regret taking it away, esp since she only used it in private for sleeping. So, with my second- he can have it all he wants for sleep. I say, let him keep it for as long as he wants as long as he uses it "in private". Besides, it's a comfort thing- like a favorite pillow or your comfy pj's or a worn-in quilt on your bed. Good luck whatever your choice may be!

I helped my son get rid of it by giving it to the baby reindeer that helped Santa claus. Maybe since Easter is coming around you can talk to your baby and explain to him that the easter bunny needs pacifiers for the little bunnys that were just born. hope it works. My son felt like he was helping others. Even if you think it is lame give it a try i thought it was so stupid when someone told me about the baby reindeer but it worked.

I am doing the same with my 14 month old daughter. I think every parent should do what they feel is right and for me personally, I don't feel it is best for my daughter to depend on her Nuk for sleeping at this stage (but I don't judge anyone else who thinks it is best to let the child decide when they want to give it up). Today is the 2nd day I have kept it away, and it's amazing how quickly she has adjusted. She fell right asleep tonight, with no problem or crying.

My advice is only to be prepared for a tough day or two - but honestly, from all the other moms I have heard of who have taken it away, it was only difficult for about 2-3 days. I was prepared for that and so it hasn't been that bad...a little crying yesterday and today, but eventually she always falls alseep (I should mention my daughter used it only for naps and sleep, so maybe it was a bit easier for me).

Best of luck.