S/O: CIO (ditching the paci)

ams8099

Nadia is very much attached to her paci. Especially at night. If she looses it and can't get it back (falls out of the crib or can't find it) she screams bloody murder. Scarlett likes it, but has become a thumb sucker. 

Has anyone thought about (or has already) ditched the paci? It seems like it's becoming more of a pain than anything. 

We are trying to CIO as well. Should I wait until they are able to self soothe to ditch the paci or should I ditch it now and let them find other ways to self soothe?

skio

Yes, we're having a similar problem. DD has become dependent on the paci to fall asleep, so we've started weaning. I only give it to her when she's laying down in her crib now, never anywhere else. I do have a backup in the car in case she gets upset and is totally inconsolable, but we're doing good not needing it in the car or for errands.

I'm reading Ferber now, and when I'm done, we'll talk about when we want to start weaning the paci at night.  Right now, I'm planning on 8 months; I'm not in a huge rush because she really only wakes for it 2-3 times a night and generally sleeps 12 hours straight aside from those quick wakings, so it's really not that bad.

I don't consider Ferber CIO and don't plan to let DD cry for more than a couple minutes without soothing her. I know it will be a very difficult couple of nights, though...for all of us.

leneae10

We took the paci away cold turkey at 6 months, before it became a "problem."  We don't let him CIO for more than 5 minutes, but we go back in and reassure.  A few nights and she will never remember a pacifier. 

KERJF

What about switching up the paci with a new, different one?

DD doesnt take one anymore - I bought the next stage (she used the soothie ones) since she just hit 6 months - and it is noticeably thicker and doesnt really give when she sucks on it. She refuses it and now doesnt seem to care anymore. Perhaps making it not as great of a thing to have anymore might do the trick?

ams8099

KERJF:

What about switching up the paci with a new, different one?

DD doesnt take one anymore - I bought the next stage (she used the soothie ones) since she just hit 6 months - and it is noticeably thicker and doesnt really give when she sucks on it. She refuses it and now doesnt seem to care anymore. Perhaps making it not as great of a thing to have anymore might do the trick?

I could try that. They use Avents. I have Soothies that they never liked. Maybe I can switch to the Soothies. I will have to think about that, thanks!

JennDave+1

You could do that or in a few more months she will probably be able to find it on her own. I took DS #1 away  3 weeks before his 2 year b-day - we stopped for naps first - and there was no issue and no crying.

chardonnay24

We started Ferber at the same time that we took away his pacifier. It was so easy, I wish we had done it sooner. He was a good sleeper before but only if I was right there to stick that damn thing back in his mouth a million times. I think part of self-soothing involves NOT relying on a pacifier to get to sleep or get back to sleep. A sleeps about 10 hours a night now without waking at all.