The Pacifier Fairy recently visited and since then my son has had trouble falling asleep at night and during nap time most likely because he doesn't have his paci (he hasn't asked for it tho!)... Anyone have any suggestions for getting him to comfort himself without it? Maybe something to substitute it?
He'll start falling asleep soon. You don't want to replace one habit with another. Just give him some time.
Thanks for posting this question. We have been going through the exact same thing. My 3 yr old daughter quit her pacifier all on her own one day two weeks ago. She said she is a big girl now and doesn't need it.
The first few nights she didn't mention it but was sad. The third night I asked her if it was different without the pacifier and she broke down. So we talked about it and all the things she's had to give up (mamma milk, the crib rail, ect.) and how it always works out fine. She seemed to get it.
She has asks half heartedly a few times but never insists...But it takes forever for her to fall asleep and naps seem to be a thing of the past. She is exhausted all the time (and so am I). I feel bad for her. She really wants this but does not know how to relax without it. She tells me she feels all alone or that it is boring without the pacifier. She often says she needs something. I can't wait for this adjustment to conclude.
I'm looking forward to reading the responses to your question. Thanks again!
Hi H.,
We did this about a month ago and for the first week it took my daughter forever to fall asleep. She too never asks for it but we would hear her for an hour or so through the monitor singing, ,talking etc. I think the paci must have been soothing more than we realized. After that week though she has been fine falling asleep. Good luck!
All of my daughters had a one and had different names for it! There was a real period of adjustment for them as they learned to fall asleep without it in their mouth. It was really hard, but worth it! It's good he's not asking for it. A new soft toy/blanket as a substitute is a good idea. My eldest went with a blanket to cuddle and still likes it at 8!
Hope he settles down soon.
When we decided to take my daughter's paci away from her she also had troble sleeping. What we did was take her to the store and she found a bear that has the head and arms and feet but the body is like a blanket. She called it bear bear. She still took a little while but she eventually was able to go to sleep as long as she had her bear bear. Sometimes it just takes a little while for them to adjust, give plenty of love and support with patience and he will adjust. Hope this helps any. (P.S. She is now eight and we still have bear bear, but she does not sleep with him no more, just refuses to let me give it away. LOL.)
I guess I should consider myself lucky that my son really doesn't care for a paci (he's only 6 wks though). He does, however, need to have his toy ducky that makes noise to be near him in order to sleep longer than 10 minutes.
My little one has a very small organic cotton velour blanket, with a teddy bear head and knots on the corners. She chews the knots and cuddles it in her crib. Mind you, her doctor mentioned you want to give them something big enough that they can't suck it into the back of their mouth - or it's basically just like a pacifier. I wasn't too concerned because my daughter isn't a big pacifier fan.
He'll get used to it. He'll find his thumb if he wants it - but that is a lot harder to break the habit of, so I wouldn't give him any hints.
Give him a lovey.
Let him choose one.
We got rid of our son's pacifier... when he was almost 3 years old.... and he had a lovey. It was fine and he adjusted well without his pacifier.
It only took him 2 days.
My son even said that he still has his 'cow'... ( his stuffed cow) so he would cuddle that.
good luck,
Susan
My daughter has a little square of material instead. Her sister gave it to her (it was a baby blanket that came with a doll) when she gave up her "binky" @ 2. Now (@4) she calls her square "binky" and doesn't ever remember using a pacifier.
when we took the pacifier away from my daughter she navigated over to a small blanket and sometimes a small stuffed animal. i guess somethin cozy n warm....=)
Updated
when we took the pacifier away from my daughter she navigated over to a small blanket and sometimes a small stuffed animal. i guess somethin cozy n warm....=)
My son gave up his over a month ago. It took him a while to settle down without it also and still does a little bit but it has gotten much better so all I can say is just hang in there. It gets better day by day its so worth it. You can also try a substitute.
