Saying goodbye to the Binkie...

laura1 · June 2013

Is so painful! My DD#1 just turned 3 and still used it for naps and night sleep. She has always been a fabulous sleeper, never needed any sleep training and would just put herself to sleep since day 1. My DS was the opposite, terrible sleeper needed Ferber, etc. One day when he was 2.5, he just handed me his bink and said he didn't need it anymore. He didn't cry for it, we never looked back. I was waiting for DD to do the same, but after she turned 3, it was clear that wasn't happening. So last night, we took the binkie away, and let me tell you, it was NOT as easy as it was for DS! And that is the first time I can say that about anything.

She cried off and on for 2 hours at bed time, and finally fell asleep around 9:15pm. She woke up about 12:30 and the crying began again. It was so sad, she just kept asking for a binkie - "I just need my bink to sleep!" I felt so bad for her - I almost caved. But I didn't, and now we are going through the same thing again for nap time. At least she might be so exhausted that she will sleep well tonight? I thought it might go better since the Binkie Fairy came last night with a Dora Pillow Pet, but apparently that wasn't enough to replace her beloved binkie. And she always would sleep with her pink lovey blanket "Pink." She kept throwing Pink out of her crib last night saying "I don't want Pink, I want Bink!!!"

How long will this last? I want my good sleeper back!!

TJ1979 · June 2013

Oh bless her heart, poor thing. I don't have any advice as my LO would never take one. But I feel for her, and for you! I hope she gets over it very quickly.

kaf7 · June 2013

Oh dear. If it makes you feel better I slept with mine until I was 7.....

but I have heard that once kids are over a year it can help to have them involved by picking a date in advance (like when you turn 3 we throw binkie away....) and then let the child do the throwing out so they know it is gone and feel empowered. Sounds like she is past that though and has a pretty strong sleep association with it and knows it. As long as she is convinced she needs it to sleep she might scream. Can you have her participate when she isn't tired and trying to sleep to pick something else she thinks might help her sleep instead? If its her idea and she believes in it she might be able to transition more easily.

Cwhitaker27 · June 2013

I've heard of this working, but also backfiring ......but my friend cut the tip of her daughter's binky and showed it to her and told her it was broken. It worked like a charm for her. I've also heard some kids still want to use it even when it's "broken". Maybe you could try that?

Saraevh · June 2013

I'm no help in the binkie dept as neither of my kids have ever used one, but my daughter went through this hellish phase where she became like a spawn of satan when she couldn't have her blanket (she calls it 'bankie' or 'banks' ha). For us, she wanted to take it everywhere and nothing grosses me out more than when I see kids dragging a blanket across the ground at the grocery store, in the parking lot, wherever and then putting it in their mouth or by their face. It got so bad that it was seriously hard to even leave the house without going through this ridiculous, crazy, throw herself on the ground and scream and kick battle when I would take it away to put her coat and shoes on. I just stuck to my guns and the second she would take it out of her bed to bring it downstairs I made her go and put it back in bed and told her it was only for when she goes 'night night.' It was hard for awhile - like over a week if I remember correctly, but eventually she got over it and now she never even tries to bring it out of her room. She just leaves it in bed and it's not a big deal.

So, I'd say just stick with it. I'm sure it will be rough for a few days, but it's time for her to give it up, ya know?

cbubbles2 · June 2013

That is so heartbreaking! Hang in there!

OceanBreeze1 · June 2013

Pps have some good advice. I have none. We had dd throw hers away at 18 months...it was hell for a few days. She had only used it to sleep and never asked for it after we threw it away, but she just had a rough time adjusting to falling asleep without it.

Good luck!!!

LnR70707 · June 2013

Cwhitaker27:
I've heard of this working, but also backfiring ......but my friend cut the tip of her daughter's binky and showed it to her and told her it was broken. It worked like a charm for her. I've also heard some kids still want to use it even when it's "broken". Maybe you could try that?

This is what we did and it worked very well because at 21 months DS was just old enough to grasp the concept of broken=trash/gone. We threw it out together and I left it in his nursery trash for a few days so he could check it and reinforce that it was indeed broken, but at over 3 I'm not sure if she'd just ask for a different one or to buy a new one.

laura1 · June 2013

L&R70707:
Cwhitaker27:
I've heard of this working, but also backfiring ......but my friend cut the tip of her daughter's binky and showed it to her and told her it was broken. It worked like a charm for her. I've also heard some kids still want to use it even when it's "broken". Maybe you could try that?
This is what we did and it worked very well because at 21 months DS was just old enough to grasp the concept of broken=trash/gone. We threw it out together and I left it in his nursery trash for a few days so he could check it and reinforce that it was indeed broken, but at over 3 I'm not sure if she'd just ask for a different one or to buy a new one.

Yup, she wanted to go to the store to get a new one. The first night I discovered her binkie had a hole in it, so I just ripped off the tip where it was already broken. She was so upset, didn't want it any more, but really wanted a new one. She kept yelling - "I need a new one!" The interesting part is that she was all excited to get rid of it - she knew that she would get her pillow pet, and then could move into a big girl bed. She was ready...right up until bed time when she was beside herself! Last night went much better. Still had a hard time going to sleep, but she slept all night and even later than usual. I am hoping she is finally getting used to it!

I never thought I would ever let my kid have a binkie (even just for nap/bed) until age 3. But then I was pg with DD#2 before she was 2, then I had just had a new baby, and by then she was almost 3 anyway, so we just made that our end date!

OceanBreeze1 · June 2013

laura1:
I never thought I would ever let my kid have a binkie even just for nap/bed until age 3. nbsp;But then I was pg with DD2 before she was 2, then I had just had a new baby, and by then she was almost 3 anyway, so we just made that our end date! nbsp;nbsp;

Lol, don't worry, it happens! Hope things keep getting better without it.

Dstevens429 · June 2013

One of my family members told her DD she was going to mail it to a baby that needed it since she was a big girl now. She packed it, put it in the mail and sent it to her mother to throw away lol. She said it made her DD feel like she was helping someone else. IDK. It worked for her maybe you can give it a shot.

Want a personalized experience?

Saying goodbye to the Binkie...

Re: Saying goodbye to the Binkie...

Choose Another Board

Search Boards