Pacifier HELP

MrsStanger · February 2015

Well DD is 23 months. She is full of spit and vinegar and I just don't know what to do. I expected the tantrums as its just part of the parental initiation, right? She has a dog lovie that she is obsessed with and as far as im concerned that is just fine. She has also become very attached to her pacifier. To the point that if it falls out of her mouth she wigs out!

How do I get rid of the pacifier? We have talked about cutting the ends off so she can suck on it anymore. Has anyone done this? Is she going to be a nightmare for a long time after this? how long is the transition there?

I know that every kid is different, but holy cow im ready to pull every single hair on my head out! Suggestions please!!!

keyshahart · February 2015

My LO was a lot younger (8months) when we cut out the pacifier so this may not work because she was not extremely attached yet but i figured anything could help you. We started off by just cutting down the times she could have her pacifier. Like she could only have it at sleep time and car rides for a few weeks, the we cut it out completely. Ive had friends do a couple different things from just cutting it out cold turkey or just not buying anymore pacifiers. So they let her know that was the last pacifier and then poked a hold in it so she wouldnt get the sucking satisfaction and then she didnt want it anymore. Goodluck!

michelle7482 · February 2015

My daughter was extremely attached to the pacifier for naps and bedtime and at 2 1/2 I finally made up my mind that she couldn't have it anymore. I cut the tip completely off, I told her it broke, and she was allowed to hold it in her hand but she really had no interest in that. She slept through the night no problem however naps stopped the very next day. I did keep a spare pacifier in the house just in case she had a really, really rough time falling asleep which did happen 2 to 3 times but I went in her room before she woke up took the pacifier away and she never asked for it.

MrsStanger · February 2015

@michelle7482 did she ever pick back up on the naps or they were just done for? Our DD LOVES her sleep and is getting in the last of her teeth so I feel like now is not the most opportune time to transition. Did you have any temper tantrums? My main concern is the fall out that we are inevitably going to have.

tig594 · February 2015

Our pedi told me to get rid of the paci when DD was 21 months (early last January). I dreaded it as she loooooooved her paci. However, it was starting to make her teeth crooked.

We went cold turkey. I did try cutting the end off one but that didn't fly. She kept telling me it had an owwie and THAT paci was on her radar. She'd have nothing to do with it and begged for a different one. So, cold turkey it was, although at daycare they'd been taking it away from her for a few months before we went paci-free at home. The first week stunk but it could have been worse. Bedtime was miserable.

If I had to do it again though I'd do it the same way. Cold turkey is the only way to go. I didn't trust myself to not bend and give it to her to soothe myself.

Tara0604 · February 2015

Our son bit holes in his when he was teething one day and that was it. It his "Froggie" (wubbanub) and I knew he would want it often, especially for bedtime, so i just cut the end of it off and it now just has a ring attached to the frog. He seemed fine, cold turkey is definitely the way to go, though.

SharonB222 · February 2015

My DS does not use a pacifier (he has my personality and looks to people for soothing). I say that to hide my embarrassment that my DD used a pacifier (she has DH's personality) in a BIG way. At 6 mos I thought to stop it, but she was teething her first teeth. At 12 months I thought to stop it but she was teething her first molars. At 18 months I thought to stop it but we went on an international trip which was good but stressful. At 24 months I thought to stop it but she was teething her 2-year molars. So finally, at 3 YEARS I bit the bullet. We were donating items: Papi donated his "fat" pants, I donated my maternity clothes and I told DD it was time to donate her pacifiers. She put them in the donation bag and said good bye. For one month she was VERY whiny and kept stating that a "new man has papi's pants" a "new woman has mommy's shirts" and "a new baby has Boo Bear [her pacifier]" And she'd whine for it occasionally that first month. Now she is content to carry different items around, and occasionally sucks her sleeve or the bed sheets - but not much. She saw her pacifier in a picture last week and asked for it back, but simply in passing. I can't believe it was 3 years that she used it (seemed like it was only 2 years) and 6 short months ago that she stopped (seems much longer than that). I thought about cutting the pacifiers or a pacifier fairy but they weren't my style. Good luck with your de-pacifying!

michelle7482 · March 2015

MrsStanger said:
@michelle7482 did she ever pick back up on the naps or they were just done for? Our DD LOVES her sleep and is getting in the last of her teeth so I feel like now is not the most opportune time to transition. Did you have any temper tantrums? My main concern is the fall out that we are inevitably going to have.

Naps never picked back up. It was rough for about 6 weeks but then she got used to it and bedtime moved up about 1.5 hours to about 7:00. The tantrums were a result of being over tired ( and being 2) but she is extremely stubborn and refused to nap. I couldn't force her to sleep, and she wouldn't even lay in her bed for quiet time but I was able to get her to relax on the couch for a bit. But like I said she is extremely stubborn so hopefully you will have better luck with your child when you choose to transition. I wouldn't take away the pacifier if she's teething either.

SLGILL1978 · March 2015

Cold turkey!!
We weaned mine off a few weeks ago when she turned 2. She really only noticed it at bedtime but if I was laying beside her, she was good.

MrsStanger · March 2015

@slgill1978 how long do you lay with her? wont that be even harder to break?

SLGILL1978 · March 2015

We bed share. I just lay with her until she falls asleep.

SLGILL1978 · March 2015

We bed share. I just lay with her until she falls asleep.

Pacifier HELP

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