"My son is turning 2 in June and is very attached to his pacifier. I was just wondering when I should start 'weaning' him from it and what would be the best way to do so. He HAS to have it when he goes to bed and likes to use it every once in a while during the day as well. I really don't mind him having it but I was very annoyed when he woke up screaming last night when he couldn't find his pacifier so I had to get out of bed to help him. I don't want him to continue this. What is your ADVICE?"
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14 years ago
We only had one that had to have a pacifier. Someone suggested we make a very tiny snip off the end. It then collapses when they suck it. They get mad at the pacifier and throw it themselves. You just have to say something like "oh, it broke." And then throw it away or have them do it. We did it and it worked. No tantrums, except that initial hey what's happening here. It was the easiest thing ever. Of course every baby is different and I have heard of kids that continue sucking it even when it collapses.
ReplyDeleteIf he wakes up because he doesn't have it, it's time to wean in my opinion! It's become more of a pain instead of a soother.
ReplyDeleteI've heard the snipping works for many people, and that's what most everyone told me, but it didn't work for me. For my kids I started by making them leave it in the bed and not use it any other times of day. And then one day they just disappear. The first few nights were rough, but after that they slept even better because when they stirred during the night they didn't need it and fell right back asleep.
I have also heard the snip method and think that seems to work. I have heard of sending them to the binky factory to make new binkies out of them and then getting them a new something to replace it. Good luck. I need to do the same thing with my little guy and his blanket/thumb...he is almost 4! YIKES! I'd take the binki anyday! lol
ReplyDeleteMaybe you could tell him that when he turns 2 he will be a "big boy" and won't need his pacifier anymore. Then have a "good-bye" party for all of his pacifiers because all the other babies need them. If you constantly remind him of this as his birthday approaches it might be something he looks forward to. I have heard of many people trying this method.
ReplyDeleteWhat do I do since I still have a younger baby who still needs his pacifier? My son might try to just take his pacifier. I will still have pacifiers around because of my younger son...what should I do about that?
ReplyDeleteI have 2 sons, and they both were using pacifiers at the same time for a few months. Like you, I was worried about weaning my little pacifier addict, especially with another pacifier-ed baby in the house! But I was very surprised at how un-traumatic the whole thing was. We started just after he turned two years old, and did what was already suggested (we started weaning slowly, by giving it only at sleep times). We went on a long trip and prepared him by telling him when we got home, he was getting rid of his pacifier. Then, when we got home, we sat him down and had a talk, and told him he was a big boy now and he didn't need it. He took it pretty well and only cried at a few nap times. I think talking about it a few weeks before it happened really made it easier. But still, after weaning, sometimes he would find a pacifier around the house that belonged to the baby and would get a little upset. In those cases we would just reemphasize that pacifiers are for babies, and that big boys don't need them. We tried to give him other special priveleges like going to bed with a book, or playing with big boy toys, to make being a big boy seem like a good thing! For a couple months, he would occasionally take the baby's pacifier, but you could tell he knew better and was testing me more than anything. In those cases, distraction really helped, and we put the pacifier away and went to do something "big boyish". I don't know if my experience will help you, but like I said, the whole thing was easier than I expected. So hopefully it goes smoothly for you too! good luck!
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