My son turened 2 in November and he is still very attached to his "binkie". I'm afraid this will start to affect his speech and his teeth. So far He can go through most of the day without it but when he's sleepy it's the first thing he ask's for.
J.,
That was the hardest thing for me to do but I just told my toddler that the pacifier was bad and dirty and that big girls dont use pacies. It took about three days but it worked!
D.
I agree, this is a very difficult thing to do. Our pediatrician suggested that we attempt to replace it with something else. We bought our children a "lovie", but that didn't work. Instead, I began to lie down with them each evening (without binkie) and perform infant/child massage. This actually worked very well at getting them to go to sleep. Just hope that they stay asleep through the night. Eventually, whole body massage will shorten into a simple back rub. I also told them that they would get a reward at the end of the week if they went all week Mon - Fri without the passie. Now, at ages 7 and 3, my girls still enjoy a massage or back rub, but they don't get them every night. There are several places in Dallas where you can learn infant/child massage. Ask your pediatrician.
I have a three year old girl who was also attached to the binkie. What I did was cut the nipple a little each day. She would say that the binkie was broken and then she and I would throw it away. We did this until there was no more binkies in the house. She has since moved on to sleeping with a dora doll(replaced the binkie). You may just need to find a new comfort for him at night.
my little boy will turn 3 in june and he's still VERY attached to his pacifier. he only has to have it when he's sleeping, but if allowed, he'd use it all the time.
we're planning on using the "pacifier truck" method. some friends have used it and it worked well for them. it works like the tooth fairy. you gather all the pacifiers and leave them somewhere for the pacifier truck to come pick up to take the pacifiers to all the babies who need them. you leave them somewhere like the front porch. then go for a drive or walk, have a friend or your husband switch out the pacifiers for a prized toy (for our son it will be a thomas the train). then when you return, your son gets this special toy to replace the pacifiers that were sent away for the babies who need them.
we're going to try that eventually. we have to get him in a big boy bed first.
Well, both of my son's was weaned when they were 6 mon. You just have to be strong and don't let your child have it. He'll cry or scream for the next few nights, but after awhile, he'll get used to not haven it. You can let him feel secure with a favorite blanket or toy.
Hi J.,
My daughter had this same thing happen to her. The pediatrician and dentist assured me that she would have no problems with her teeth from the newer pacifiers (Binkie is one brand), but we wanted her to grow up a little faster. We started only giving her the Binkie at bedtime, then removing it after she fell asleep. Then, we went sleepy-toy shopping, and found a small, safe sleeping buddy she could not live without. We told her she could have either the Binkie or the toy, and let her have both for a day or so to make up her mind. After 3 days, it was decision time (only give a toddler 2 choices max). She was conflicted. First, she wanted one, then when you took it, she wanted the other. That first night was a lot of swapping out, but after that, she only wanted her sleeping buddy stuffed animal! They do better when it is their own choice. Of course, we did brag on her a lot every time she chose the stuffed animal too ;)
Hope this helps, but until then, remember, a Binkie is so much better for the child's teeth than putting them to bed with a bottle. That can rot their teeth before they are in Pre-K!
Good Luck!
J., I understand your concern, but it's really no big deal. At least one of my three had his "fa-fier" till he was 4 and he's tatally fine @ age 9, contrary to what everyone else told me.
Could be different w/other kids?
It is always hard to know the right thing to do. My husband demanded I take the pacifier away from my first. She ended up sucking her finger and rubbing her ear until she was 10. Then we had to go through the head gear and dental rehab. We took my second child's away about 2, and he was a horrible sleeper for a long time. He is twelve now, and takes melotonin to help him sleep. He has one of those brain that runs all the time. So, my third is still using the pacifier when she goes to bed only. The dentist is furious. She went to stay with Grandma and forgot it a couple of summers ago. Grandma convinced her she did not need it. Within a few months, her temper and mood were horrible from lack of sleep I guess. Her teacher had me in the counselor's office concerned about her. I put the pacifier in her drawer and told her it was there if she needed it. We have not had an incident at school since. The moral to this long story, is no one can tell you what is right or wrong. Just pray alot.
This may sound harsh but for me, with both my sons we just went cold turkey. We chose a long weekend/holiday and refused to give them the pacifier. It was horrible for about two days/nights but after we got past those initial days they were fine. From friends that I have spoken with, they have taken a really long time to try to wean them off gradually.
My son is almost 17 months. I took his "binki" away about a month ago. It was the hardest thing after the labor. He was crying and I was crying. But it took about 3 days(and 3 LONG nights) and now he doesn't even think about it. So make sure you do it on the days that you can afford to loose some sleep, give him lots of love and be firm. Do not give up. Each time I wanted to give in, I had to remind myself that he went for so long already and all that pain would be waisted. The good news is that he never stops talking now.I did not know he had so much to say before, and I have to say he seems to be happier too. Good luck!
