Sleep Solution? But at a cost?

Alli0322 · April 2015

Hi, my son who turned 1 on the 10th was never a big one for pacifiers... and that's fine by me. Our bottle weaning went AMAZING, he was off the bottle totally and only using a sippy a few weeks before his birthday. There was no struggle or anything - and I realize I got super lucky with this. My concern is now, he suddenly does so much better with naps and sleeping at night WITH a paci after not having one at all for a while.

He is with my MIL all day since I work full time and she has a hell of a time getting him to nap consistently, which then means he's a crabby mess for us for dinner and bedtime. And that makes me upset because I already have the full time working mom guilt.... she has him 8 hours a day, and I only have him those few hours he's awake and then of course weekends... so when he's crabby I feel like it messes with our time together.

One night, he was fighting us so bad with going to sleep that I just popped the paci in as our last resort and he calmed down and actually slept totally through the night - which he has only done a handful of times. He usually wakes up once (on a good night) for some reassurance, and some nights he was waking up anywhere from 2-10 times just depending on how hard it was to get him back down. Over the weekend, it helped him nap consistently and he's slept 12 hours straight 2 nights in a row.

As much as I hate to break out the paci, if it will help him nap and sleep better at night, is the trade-off really so awful? He doesn't ever have it during the day, and with bottle weaning going so easy, I'm thinking the pacifier weaning may go smoothly as well (or hoping at least). I just feel like sleep is the priority.

What do you guys think? Anyone ever have this issue?

momofmanyinthemitten · April 2015

DD1 used a paci at night until just over 2 yrs. DS still has his at 2 yrs. I may be in the minority here, but I think it's easier to get rid of it when they're a little older because you can reason with them a bit. If sleep is hard to come by and the paci is keeping him asleep, I'd be popping that sucker in.

Alli0322 · April 2015

I think there's such a negative stigma when it comes to pacifiers - I just needed a little reassurance lol. Thanks!

arichlife · April 2015

Hey do what you have to do to stay sane! (And get sleep!) I don't think the paci is that bad. If it comforts them why take it away? You wouldn't take away a blanket or stuffed animal that helps them be comforted and calm.
I think people worry about it ruining their teeth (needing braces or something) but I sucked my fingers for a long time and I never had braces. My husband never sucked his thumb and he had to have braces.
The paci gets a bad reputation but I think it's fine.

Sporty1216 · April 2015

Oh, man. I've actually been trying this and if it worked for me, I would totally be doing it! Get sleep! Have fun with a non-crabby baby! He'll be able to give up the pacifier down the road. I've heard all kinds of tricks for that once they can actually understand what's up.

AmberLiz99 · April 2015

My son didn't have a paci after 4 months, but this LO loves it. She only gets it to sleep with, and I've decided I'm ok with it. She's not walking around with a paci in her mouth, it's just in bed. Try to not think of other people's opinions and just decide how you feel about it and do what works

LolaX2 · April 2015

Our Lo's are only just about a year old, if the paci helps to sooth them, I don't see the issue. Neither of my babies really took to the paci but my DD sucks two of her fingers to sooth herself, usually only when she is tired. It helps her to sleep through the night and take naps and it helps us get sleep. I'm not worried anytime soon.

3JTMom · April 2015

I agree that if something helps your sanity, you should consider it. He will eventually not need the paci. I am glad you are willing to try things. Don't let guilt get to you, there are enough things to have guilt over. Hugs mama! #notautomatic-

babayRFL · April 2015

Heck yeah! Keep the paci!

BADASBKRCK · April 2015

I agree with all the above. It isn't as if your LO is 5 years old and still using a pacifier! I see no reason not to keep it awhile longer as long as it makes you and LO happy!

Alli0322 · April 2015

I knew I loved this birth month club for a reason!! Thanks you guys!

yellowflower15 · April 2015

Well, my three year old still sucks her fingers, so I'm certainly not one to judge!

Kriztyn · April 2015

My LO is a big Paci fan... but I try to just limit it to naps and bed time. Usually if she gets fussy and we give one to her and it calms her down--- we know shes tired and put her down soon after. I'd like it to be gone by 15 months... but it def helps her sleep so we'll see.

irisheyez7 · May 2015

I am having trouble with getting LO to nap in her crib. Night sleep is no problem but naps are a nightmare! Maybe I should try this?

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