Got Rid of the Pacifier Finally, Now What?

When my son finally got rid of his bottle, my father-in-law got him a HUGE stuffed dog that he transferred that love to. He is now 13 and still sleeps with the dog, although we no longer have to travel with it! My daughter transferred her love to sippy cups of milk. I don't know how I'm going to fix that one- I love sippy cups.

My son only asked about it for a few days and then it was over. I would just remind him that the fairy came & took them away so that other babies could have them. WTG!!

Hi Robyn,
I found the book about "solving your childrens sleep problems"by Dr. Ferber just amazing. He talks about it in the book, and I currently lent it out. But from my memory, I can tell you that it will get better, he mentions not to keep them in bed for more than 30 minutes, and if they dont fall asleep in that time to get them up and they miss their nap, making it easier on the next nap to fall asleep. Now I ferberized my baby at four months to get her to self soothe, and used the book and it worked wonders, but she is still using her binky, that was a personal choice for me to keep it, but I could of easily got rid of it, but felt bad. I know, not good and will soon get rid of it. Heres what I know about ferberizing, do it when you can give it your time and patience because it could be a long week.
Hope that helps.
I am a new mommy of a six month old baby girl who is the love of my life.

Robyn,
The best way to get rid of a pacy is to cut the tip off.
They dont get the same satisfaction and let it go on there own really quick! I swear this works, they might want to hold it for a while but its not in their mouths messing up there teeth.

C. L

Hey Robyn, okay so my son was stuck on the pacifier for a while too. The only thing is that instead of weening him off, he lost intrest in it. To help you out, instead of just letting them go to bed/nap w/o anything, try a special blanket or pillow. My son loves his pillow and can't sleep w/o it. Eventually they'll out grow it. But at least it's better than the pacifier, right?

Remember that they had them for 2 and 3 years. This is all they have known and the only way they can remember ever going to sleep. How long does it take you to break a habit and stop craving it? It takes time - just DO NOT give in. It will happen - gradually. Your three year old has been doing it longer so it will take him longer to forget about it. Have patience with them and yourself. The reward is worth it.

Good for you! I don't believe in pacifiers in the first place none of my 4 children ever had one.
Consistency is the key. They will eventually get used to it. Your 2 yr old is already getting used to it. Keep their nap/bedtime exactly has it has been and they will go to sleep. Patience. You won't go crazy!
My kids had set bedtime all through their lives. When my youngest son got into high school and was allowed to stay up later, he couldn't do it! But he did still get up early!

I think it will probably just take time. I have four kids, and with the first three we alternated between pacifier and not. The first had it, and it took awhile to get her off it, so we didn't use one with our second child, but now she can't stop sticking her fingers in her mouth... so with our son, we used one again, but started trying to get him off it much sooner... and our fourth child just never seemed to get too attached to it and didn't really suck her thumb either. Anyway, my point is, they probably just need some time to adjust. I would give it up to a month before you start worrying about them being too dependent on it. Especially, at their ages. They're old enough to remember where they put things, so it can be disconcerting to them when all of a sudden they don't have something that's always been there for them. It's just like taking away a favorite toy or a blanket they always sleep with. Just give them time to get over the separation.

I don't think you waited to long. Especially since they only had them in there beds. I know so many kiddos that have them in their beds until 4 or 5 years. A good nights sleep is totally worth it! It shouldn't affect them much (like teeth problems, ect..) if they only use them to fall asleep and then leave the paci's in bed.

I am new to this web page but I am absolutely amazed at all of you young mothers who are mad to get rid of the pacifier. Why give it to the child at all. My three had them, thy were always kept in the cot so it was no big deal......I have three very well adjusted adults who have straight teeth (no dental work needed to straighten teeth as one mother already said) I feel young mothers are now comparing their children with their friends children,,,and that is wrong. One should not even compare a child with his/her sister/brother.They are all unique..thats what makes them so special. If the two year old wants the pacifier give it to her or better still tire her out with a walk and no fizzy drinks before bed. I never did the walk bit or the drinks just gave the pacifier.

So why are you getting rid of the pacifiers? It seems like there are plenty of other ways to teach your children to be strong and independant than taking away their little comforts. I was told that pacifiers really dont affect the teeth much, so could never justify mentally manipulating my child to stop other people from judging us when they saw it in his mouth. When he went to preschool it was not allowed for cleanliness, so he learned to keep it for home, and then, when he was old enough, say 2.5 or 3, just stopped on his own. Both of my sisters boys (now 17 and 18) did the same.

They will be just fine! They will sleep fine - or should. Don't give in or give them something else that could become a bad habit because you want them to learn.

:)

They will get used to not having them in about 1 - 2 weeks. Please don't give in though. That is the worst thing to do. It took them time to get used to having thier pappy's so it will take time to not have them too.
If you give in it will make it harder to take away for good and then they think i can wine and i will get my way. Just hang in there. It isn't easy being a parent. I am a M. of 4 from 3 yrs. to 20 yrs.

when we took the paci away from our then 2.5 year old, that was the end of naps. She had randomly been skipping naps before then and was on the virge of giving them up but once she didn't have her paci, she no longer would fall to sleep for a nap (unless on a car-ride after a BIG activity when she was exchausted, etc.). The nighttime thing took a few days, and even a week or two later she would ask for it and we would just remind her that the paci-faerie had come...usually it promted a little time with the toy she had received from the faerie and then she'd move on.

good luck!

I had 4 girls only 2 had pacifiers, my husband thought it's time to take them away to protect the teeth, they started sucking ther fingers not thumbs, they are now 42 and 43, and they still rub silk when they are around it all it is is a security for them I think something makes them do it so don't stop what is natural for them, they are only this age once.

You didn't wait to long to get rid of the pacifiers. Children are confronted with so much stress in their young life, it's good for them to have something to soothe with. The consensus what I hear mostly is to get rid of it rather later than earlier. I'm sure they will be fine, once they get used to sleeping without it.