Weaning off of the Pacifier

I don't know WHEN to do it. My son never took a paci. I know I see 2 yr olds with them in and I think "Geez. I can't believe they still have a paci!"

But I did see an older child (2 or 3) on tv the other day... and they way they got him off of his paci is they got helium balloons, tied all of his paci's to them, and sent his pacis up to the babies in heaven who needed them. Kinda cute. It allowed him to be involved in it in a sweet way. Just an idea for whenever you try to get him off of them, and if you have a hard time doing so.

With my oldest son we didnt wean him until 16 months (it was more of a comfort for me I think LOL), but we cut a hole in the end and gave it to him. He hated it and did take it again. He was fussy for a few nights but then he was just fine. My youngest stopped taking his on his at 6-7 months. If you really think he can do without it them cut a hole in the end and give it to him, you might have a rough couple of nights but he will be just fine. Oh and you dont have to worry about his teeth and a paci yet, most dr will tell you to do away with it before their 2nd birthday.

I'm fighting this battle with my 2yr old right now. We have another baby due in the next few weeks, so I'm not planning to try to take it away from him for at least another 6mos (he's already seen the "baby's binks" for the new one).

That and his blanket are his 2 major comfort items. They go with us everywhere together. It's what he's always wanted when he's scared, sick, tired, hurt, etc... For the time being, while he's adjusting to a little sister, I don't plan on taking one of those things away.

However, our game plan for the winter when we do start this process (he'll be 2.5) is to cut the tip off of them and tell him that they are broken. Simply taking them away hasn't been successful in earlier attempts. He's one that needs to see that something "doesn't work" before he gives up on it.

So I don't know what the right age is. I think that's up to you and your son. But, I can tell you that the earlier you do it, the less of a fight you'll have later on. We created a monster with our son, and now we're trying to find the least painful way out!

I did daycare for 5 years. My rule was the bottle was gone at 12 months and the nuk at 18 months. (Starting BY 12 months the nuk was NOT allowed out of the crib!) So, at 18 months we would just go cold turkey. It would only take 2 or maybe 3 days of them asking for it and they would be over it. MOST kids didn't even ask anymore by day 2.......

We followed this same rule with our first. (Our 2nd never took a nuk OR a bottle.) Kind of thinking we won't offer a nuk to our 3rd when he comes either........

Just come up with a game plan and stick to it! They ARE bad for kids teeth. And it is one of MY personal biggest pet peeves when I see a 2, 3, 4, or 5 year old walking around with a nuk in their mouth!

Talk to your pediatrician. My son is 17 months and my doctor said there is no hurry to wean him off. However, we have a new baby coming in the next couple of months, and this may be the reason my doctor isn't in any hurry - she may know that we have enough on our plates!