Weening from Pacifier

We snipped the end of it when he was 2&1/2 and he told me it was broken and I said that is the only one we have. He sucked on it that night and cried a little bit and the next day he threw it away and that was it! I thought it would be weeks of sleepless nights because he was sooooo attached to it.

K.

Only you know your daughter. The only advice that I can give you is do to it as early as you feel comfortable with. My son was three years old before I took his "pappy" away from him, and that was a BIG mistake. His teeth were affected by it, and I'm afraid his speech might have been also (he has a slight lisp). Anyway, like I said, only you know your daughter, you'll know when the time is right. You might want to try telling her that you're giving to a little girl that doesn't have one..or like I did with my son, I just threw it away, and let him see me throw it in the trash, so he would KNOW that it wasn't coming back. Hope this helps and Good luck!!

My husband and I just dealt with this a few months ago. My son was just over 2 when we weened him from the pacifier. We thought the process would be terrible, but it was actually very easy. My friend suggested snipping the end of the pacifier with scissors (this won't allow a good sucking motion). Then just hand it to the child when they ask for it. My son put it in his mouth, took it out and looked at it, and then said "broken" and handed it back to me. Then just act like "what's wrong with it" "it must broken?"(We even said that maybe Mimi's dog Sidney chewed it up) This way the child won't blame you. If they continue to ask just remind them it is broken and offer the "broken" one to them (she probably won't want it). After that my son asked for it about 4 more times and that was it. It ended up being an easier fix than I had anticipated. With your daughter's age I am not sure if it will work as well, but when you decide you are ready it is worth a shot. Also, my son does not seem to have any dental problems from the pacifer---but as you know every child is different. Good luck! P.S. This also worked when weening my little one from the bottle.

I had both boys using passy's when they were toddlers of which both were extremely attached. My oldest was 3 when we finally decided to rid the menace. He was older so he understood that his teeth were moving and it wasn't good for him. His example probably is too advanced for a 12 month old. We went to Target and bought a $10 toy with his passy. The checkout people were more than cool about playing along with us. However, my 2 year old was tougher but we just did it cold turkey. He was upset for a day (heartwrenching really) but each day it got better and better. A month later when he is upset, he still asks for it but we tell him that it was thrown away and the garbage man took it. He talks about it and we communicate often about how the garbage man took it. He misses it but I have to tell you that his behavior improved dramatically, he talks so much more, his eating is improved and everybody is much happier. If you can handle a day of sadness (by them), you can do cold turkey too. Night time sleeping was tricky for just a couple of nights but at least he isn't crying in the middle of the night anymore because he can't find it in his crib. You'll be much happier if you just get it over with. the younger they are the easier it is to get through the withdrawls. good luck!

it was my daughters 1st b-day and she got a plush blanket and from then on she would sleep w/ that and eventually she got her passi less and less and afew weeks later she was over it we did have a few cryin nites but hey she was over it

Hi L.!
We just got done breaking my 20 month old from her paci. I have never seen a child as attached to one as she was. I woke up one morning and decided that I have had enough of the paci and took it away. I threw all of them away, so I didnt get tempted and give in. The first day was rough...but by the second day she had pretty much forgotten about it. I had to keep her busy with lots of activities for a couple days. 2 months later now and she still asks for it every once in a while when she gets upset, but I just ignore her when she mentions it and she stops. I was soo proud of her when the paci was gone...I thought it would never happen. At this age, it is nothing more than a security thing...so she now has a special blankie that she uses for naps, when she gets upset and bedtime. Good Luck!!

Hi L.! My son, also named Joshua, will be 12 months old on July 10. I am also wondering when is a good time to ween him from the pacifier. The only time he really takes it now is when he is trying to go to sleep or when he wakes in the night. We got to that point because I just kindof didn't let him see it during the day. Out of sight, out of mind, you know? It took a little while and I did give in a few times when he was really fussy, but it is working. I am not going to completely ween him until he slows down on his teething. I just think that he kindof needs something to help comfort him during those painful, miserable moments. As for the teeth, have you asked your daughter's pediatrician or her dentist? That is definately on my list of questions for the 1-year well baby visit. As for my son, he has 4 teeth on top and 3 on the bottom, with one more trying to make it's debut on the bottom. I have heard that some babies will give up the pacifier on their own time, but I hope that whatever you decide to do works for you and your daughter. Good luck!

My daughter was 2 1/2 when we gave the passie to Santa. It was SO hard for a couple of weeks but she finally moved on. I think that we waited WAY to long. The sooner, the better. I have heard that some mommies cut the tips off of the passies little by little and eventually there is nothing to suck on so they give up intrest. You might have to try several different techniques. GOOD LUCK!!!

Hi L., well 12 months is really young to start worring about it to much! alot of children will give it up by themselves but then others you have to help them some! I would not try to force her right now because she is so attached to it and it won't hurt her teeth at this age! My grandson was very attached to his also but all of a sudden at about age 3 he couldn't find it and finally fell asleep without it and after that he was fine without it! Even when we found it about 3 days later he played around with it but then he just put it down and went right on about his business which was great!! Be careful not to try and take it away to soon because it can and will tramatize him!!

personally, I'd wait at least another year to see if she gives it up herself, which she might. You don't have to worry about it hurting her teeth until she is 3-4. If she needs it for comfort, for sleeping, you should let her have it, imo. I believe in meeting a baby's needs provided it is not going to hurt them or someone else down the road.

Good Morning LaShudra...I have two boys who are 5-yrs and 3-yrs. My oldest son was very much attached to his pacifier. He had it until he was 2 and a half. He had a big can full of them. He only slept with it. When we weened him from it, we would give him one before night-night and in the morning he threw it in the trash. He did this until they were all gone. About a week later, after he was weened, he found another pacifier under his bed. He told me he found it and threw it in the trash himself. It worked for us!!! (P.S. Our youngest son never took a pacifier or bottle. He went straight from the breast to a sippy cup.)

They say you have until she's two but if you can wean go for it. My little one is almost two and clings to that pacifier. Let me know how you do it