Ok, so my son is soon to be 11 months and he is completely hooked on his pacifier. He has been ever since they offered it to him in the NICU when he was born. Since he was 31 weeks when he was born they say they offer them to preemies to strengthen the muscles in their mouth and it teaches them how to suck a bottle. Anyway so now he cannot live without it. We have been through maybe 50 pacifiers because he just throws them anywhere. So my sons pedi said that as soon as he got his first tooth that it would be a good idea to start letting go of the paci. I need suggestions of methods that work. I have no idea where to begin..
Well, you could try what my friend's did and throw it in the closest body of water for the "baby" fish/dolphins, etc.
Or you can start dipping it in Tabasco... another Southern friend did this with great success...
Or.. you could do a scavenger hunt, collect them all and trade them in for a "cool toy"...
Good Luck!
J.
Most pediatricians and dentists now agree that the pacifier will not harm a child's teeth or mouth until the age of 5 or 6. My son sucked on his until he was 2 1/2 and old enough to understand when we "gave" them away to another baby. I would not rush your son to give his up until he is ready.
I too am in your same shoes my friend! My son is turning 2 in October and I would like to take the binki away beofre then. We didn't take it earlier because the Dentist told us to take it before his 2 year molars come in. Some say to take it cold turkey but know that there will be about 3 or 4 days of crying in the night and at naptime. I have just been only letting mine have it during those times and not during the day. A few friends have told me that their kids just one day didn't want it anymore....if only we could be that lucky.
A.
My daughter had hers all the time also. Believe it or not cold turkey worked for her. I know it sounds harsh, but it really is not. I out all pacifiers out of sight but of course kept them in cabinets in case this did not work. She never saw and I just acted as if she were looking for something as in a toy when I knew it was a pacifier request. Wont hurt to try...I know it has for a couple of moms I suggested it to!! Good Luck let me know!!
Here's another take that might work for you. "Attack" the pacifer with a large safety pin. With holes all over it there is no suction & it is "no good" anymore. We did this with our daughter when she was 13 mths & after a few nights she was done with it. Even if she happened to see it on the counter she wouldn't grab it, good thing too as daddy kept one unpoked for just incase.
L. -
We did the same thing as Crystal in the previous response. We just cut down on the amount of time Norah could have her paci while awake. She gave it up at 18 mos and her teeth are fine. It made a huge difference to tell her "I can't understand what you're saying with that paci in your mouth". In the end, she'd rather talk =).
I have a couple of suggestions. We took my daughters away the day she turned 18 months. By the 3rd night she was fine.
My second I was told by a friend. Whether it be bottles or pacifiers, the bottle fairy or binki fairy works for some kids. Make it fun to get rid of them. Put them in a bag and hang from a tree outside or on the front doorknob and tell them they pick them up for all the new babies that will be born. I know it's a little out of the ordinary but for some kids it works.
I really like the poking holes idea someone submitted also. Let us know what works for you.
OK... So my son was a month premature also. He was attached to the paci as soon as they gave it to him. So he wouldn't lose it we got him one of those clips that attach the paci to his shirt. I think we still had one in every room still and a few in the drawer and maybe a couple of trips to Walgreens at night to get some peace! LOL... I was so fixed on getting rid of the paci also because I didn't want his teeth to get moved around. I have to say we finally quit it with him cold turkey when he turned two. He started throwing fits immediately after and I'm not sure if it was the "Terrible Twos" or just the fact that we took away his comfort paci. In hindsight, it was not good for us to do it. His teeth are crowded like mine were anyways and he'll be in braces just like I was. If you can wean him from it, my sister-in-law distracted my nephew when he wanted it by doing other things or playing when he was six months old, it worked for her... but if you can't I wouldn't worry too much. Just make sure your son doesn't replace the paci with his thumb. You can get rid of the paci but there's no gettin rid of the thumb. Good Luck... Let me know how it goes. I'm interested to know if you found something that works. :)
Hello, letting the paci go can be hard but i do have a few suggestions. When myself and my siblings were younger my mom to have us get rid of it would get a pacifier and glue like lent or feathers to it and show it to us. She said that we never put it in our mouth again. I with my son on the other hand just started getting rid of them one by one. Then when they are all gone don't buy anymore. Just let him know that he doesn't have one. It was hard for my son the first week of not having one but he got used to it and didn't miss it after that. I think it was well worth going through the week to get rid of it for good. Hope one of these suggestions will help!!!
With my daughter, I started taking it away during the day when she was playing and only let her have it at nap time and night time. Then, I took it away at nap time, and then bed time. I think that the most important thing is to not give in. My daughter cried and cried when I first started taking it away but it only took her a couple of days to adjust without it at each transition.
Well, we waited until his first birthday when he went for his one year well check. We had the dr. tell him that it was bad for him since he was getting to be a big boy and the paci is only for babies. Then we took it completely away. It was rough for the first week but the next week was easier and the third he didn't even ask for it anymore. The important thing is not to give in because then you have to start all over.
I also started taking my son's pacifier away except for nap and bed times. However, he didn't completely give it up until around two. I wouldn't worry too much about rushing this, just try to lessen his dependence on it. When we finally decided to quit for good, I told my son a little mouse came and got the pacifer during the night, and was bringing it to little babies who don't have one. He was ticked off, but gave in pretty easily. Keeping him really busy during the day also seemed to help. He always wanted his pacifier more when he was bored. Good luck.
I let my child keep his till he was 18mo old, then it was like I need to take it away now because I don't want to be nagotiateing with a 2 year old @ his paci. So I just threw them all away like his bottle, if there not there he cant have it. It took 3 days to brake him of it at night I just layed him down and he cried but went to sleep, by the third night he was fine, because he knew it was gone and he found other was to sleep, like with his blanket and stuffed anamial.
