I Don't Know What's Worse! Pacifier Issue And/or Converting Crib Issue

I know this sounds crazy, and when I read about it I thought so too, but this is what I did with both of my daughters: I cut the tip off the top of the binky (per other posts I had read) and both of my daughters wanted nothing to do with it. My second daughter tried really hard to keep it in her mouth but just didn't like it. I sort of acted like it was broken but still offered it if they wanted it. They didn't. Binky issue resolved in one day. I would definitely do one thing at a time (bed or binky). I would start with the binky 1st! Good luck!

Hi C.,
This is tough because at 2, they're harder to work with in some ways as they are going through so many transitions naturally with independence, etc. But I still think the only way is cold turkey. I would start with the pacifier, and leave her in the crib for now. The mistake I've made with some of my kids (I have 7) is when trying to wean them from something, I would replace it with something else to ease the transition, but what I didn't realize is that I replaced it with something that also made them dependent on me. I think if you convert her to a toddler bed so you can sit with her, then she will become dependent on you sitting with her, which will then create another issue for you, as you probably won't be able to (even if you want to) every night once the baby arrives. I've found with my kids that even though cold turkey can be painful, it's usually only for a few nights as long as you are consistent, and then everyone is happier. How about replacing the pacifier with a blankie or stuffed toy. That will eliminate her need for you in the middle of the night. If you have sleep issues while this is going on, check out Healthy Sleep Habits, Happy Child (Dr. Marc Weissbluth) for help with sleep training (another reason to keep her in a crib for now). The one child I had who was really dependent on his pacifier was also waking me all night long for it. We finally lost the last one at church, and I refused to buy more, so it was forced cold turkey, and was very painful for all of us for a few nights, but then resolved itsef. Good luck. It's never easy.

I don't know. It may be easier to wean from the pacifier while she is still in the crib at this stage, but I chose to move my daughter at 26 months to her big girl bed and not worry about the paci for a while. Her doctor suggested that I weave a blanket through the hole in the paci and have her transfer the attachment to the blanket, which sounds good. My daughter is my third, and I need her to still nap, and sleep through the night, so I put up with the paci so that she can self soothe to sleep. When we are both ready, we are going to go cold turkey, and give all the pacis to the paci fairy. I would be afraid that my daughter would not nap at all without her paci.

Just let her have the pacifier instead of popping it out of her mouth after she's asleep. It won't damage her teeth and its a myth that it will cause her to need braces later on. Sucking on a pacifier is only a problem for children that get constant ear infections. If she's already 2 there is no reason to keep putting off the big girl bed. It seems like she uses the binky as her transitional object and would let her get rid of it when she's ready.

This is a hard one cause three things are going on, the pacifier, the new bed and the new baby on the way, congrats by the way. Seeing as she is over 2 now, my thought is to concentrate on that binky over the summer. My son had a binky til almost three years old, and I'll tell ya, like you said, it is not good for them to have it in their mouth all night long. I would always take it out also, but now he is 8 and has a terrible over bite, the binky for sure messed up his teeth and he will need to have it corrected. I know it will be hard for both of you, but you might just have to go cold turkey and get rid of them, maybe they will get "lost", try and replace it with something else, like a doll/stuffed animal or blanket that is safe for her to sleep with. Maybe allow her to keep a sippe cup of water by her bed or something so if she has the urge to have something in her mouth she can sip some water? I dunno. But my thought is to get rid of the binky first, cold turkey, it will be hard maybe only for a week or so, then if she does well, and summer passes, then the baby will come, then the new bed. I wouldnt hold off on the binky thing, cause if the new baby has one, she may be jealous. I would do it now.
And FYI my 2nd child NEVER took to a binky, so I hope you dont have to go through this again with your 2nd!!
Hang in there Mom!! Best of Luck

Just let her have it and you all will sleep better. My daughter is almost three now and she just quited her pacifier in two days. One evening she took it, but I think that the rubber was cracked or so and she did not like the feeling. I told her that the pacifier is getting old and yaky and she took it out. Next evening she asked for it and I said that it is yaky now and that was it, no more pacifiers. Some parents suggest making a hole in the pacifier and most kids don't like it. However, that helps only when the pacifier is not so important anymore. When you notice that she needs it only to fall a sleep and then does not care if it falls out and she cannot find it during the night. That's probably the right moment. Don't push it, it's just making it harder for everyone. Good luck!

I would definately try one or the other. Doing to many different things at once can make things harder for some and easier for others. I would personally convertt he crib b/c as you said - you will be able to sit w/ her during this transition. Is there a way to reward her for "everytime she naps w/o the binky"? Start with the nap and work you rway from there? I am currently going through weaning my daughter (from the breast though) and have started using stickers - she is only 17 mos - so for now its more of a distraction than a reward ..... but hey ITS WORKING.