How to Give up the Pacifier?

My two boys both loved the "binky" & I know it goes against alot of what we hear, I just let him use it & gradually he gave it up. My 2nd son is 2 1/2 & is slowing forgetting about it, too. Some of my friends did the "cold turkey" and it was really ugly & what really is the point? What is wrong with finding comfort in the binky? There are so many battles that I think dont need to be fought (like potty training) - things will happen when your child is ready. There is enough trauma in childhood without inflicting it needlessly. (But that's just my opinion). Good luck!

K.,

My initial thought is, why exactly do you want to get rid of the pacifier right now? It sounds like she's being resourceful, and has found a way to quiet herself in locations where she needs to stay still and calm. Since your daughter has cut down to only bed and the car, it's likely she'll soon let it go on her own - most kids do, including my son, who at 2 used a pacifier in the car and his crib, but who had given both up by 2.5.

If you are determined to give it up, I'd suggest doing it in a casual way, by not replacing it into the crib if it falls out, or not putting it back into the car if you take it out to clean it. If you treat it like you're being absent-minded, she may not notice too much. (If she does notice, you could "forget" it every once in a while, until she's used to that and then keep it out altogether.) I'd also suggest removing it from either car or crib (wherever matters less to her)and waiting till she's adjusted to that before taking it away from the other location.

Hope this helps!

K.

Dear K.,

My son used his pacifier for the same reasons. When he was 18 months (on an especially fun day), he was ready for bed and he asked for his pacifier. I just told him the pacifier is now gone and there will be no more pacifier. Expecting the worst, he just looked at me and said "no more?" then he said good night, layed down and went to sleep. I considered myself very very lucky.

I think it will harder to take the pacifier away from my 1 year old as it is my life saver (from extreme tantrums) as it is hers.

Good luck!

Luckily my kids never liked the paci however all my friends did... they said they just tossed it out and they had 24hours of pure torture! The next day they were fine. The other moms talked that they really spent the entire day comforting, adn playing and trying to get the child to be in other things not to think about. Good Luck and I would try praying too! :)

My daughter used the pacifier too. I took a pair of scissors and snipped off the tip of it. She still had her pacifier, but it didn't feel the same in her mouth and she just gave it up voluntarily.

I know it is really hard i have through that bcoz my 2.5 yr old wouldnot give his bottle so what worked for me was i told him stories that angles come take some stuff from us for the new babies so they cab use them and our turn is over to use pacifier and bottles and he we packed the bottles and put it outside his room in the morning when he woke up the packet wasnot there and loved that he could help the angles he missed for few days got a little cranky too but in 1 week we were over and now we are working the same way to move him on bed from crib so try it i wish good luck to you.just reward your kid goood once the pacifier is givenup so they feel really good
N.

I just went through this 2 month ago, so I completely understand your situation. I first told him it was for naps and bedtime only. Then I took it away at nap time. After about a week, I began to take it away at nighttime. You have to be really ready and throw them all out because if you have them, you will break down. I would always tell myself...its going to be hard for the 1st week, and it will get better. Once you break down its so much harder the next time, because they know you can crack.

I Hope this helps, good luck!