How do I get rid of my almost three year olds pacifier?

Question

MY SON WILL BE THREE IN FEBUARY AND HE REFUSES TO GIVE UP HIS PASSY. WE HAVE TRIED CUTTING OFF THE TIPS, SENDING THEM TO OTHER BABIES, LEAVING THEM AT GRAMMY'S, PUTTING THEM OUT FOR THE PASSY FAIRY TO TAKE TO OTHER BABIES, WE HAVE EVEN TRIED OFFERING TOYS. NOTHING WORKS.
I AM A STAY AT HOME MOM WITH TWO CHILDREN UNDER THREE. I NEED SOMETHING THAT WORKS BUT WON'T SEND ME TO THE MAD HOUSE.

Answer 1

Throw it away when he's not looking. When he asks for his pacifier, tell him "I don't know where it is..let's look for it!" Go around the house with him looking for it.

After a few minutes, tell him "Well, I guess we can't find it..I'm sorry..your pacifier is gone." He'll probably get upset, but he'll just have to live with the fact that his pacifier is gone. My guess would be that he cries and screams for about 10 minutes then sees one of his favorite toys and starts playing and forgets all about the pacifier.

Answer 2

I can't say that I have had this problem, both of my older children (one is 7 and the other is 3) used pacifiers until about age 1 when they mysteriously disappeared (I threw them all away about a week after their first b-days). Which is one option for you, another option would be to try and seriously ween him from it, first only let him have it at home, then only at bed and nap times, then only at bed and then not at all. You may have a few tantrums but in the long run it will be better for both of you. And, after it is all said and done let him pick out a new toy or blankie that can be his lovely to sleep with, but only after he agrees to give up the passy, best of luck to you. Buy some aspirin now, you may need it.

Answer 3

Sorry to say it but the only way may be to go cold turkey and just take it away and then deal with the outfall.

Did you know that if he constantly has his dummy it can affect the muscles in his mouth, and this means that later he may have problems with certain aspects of pronunciation because his muscles didn't develop correctly? He could also have problems with basic activities like sucking and blowing for the same reasons.

Knowing this may help you deal with the transition period.

I just took dummies away from my 2 year and 9 month twins. We chose a time when we were away from home for the weekend, and conveniently 'forgot' them, when we had had 2 nights without them when we got home the dummy fairy had been and taken them away, and the kids got small rewards for the next 3 days when they had slept without them. They carried on asking for them for about a week, and now they have completely stopped asking for them,and still go to sleep really well.

Answer 4

you are going to have to just take it away and stop giving in because he has a tantrum... he wont believe you if you keep giving in each time you are making it harder on both of you
tonight as you are doing your bedtime routine you tell him this is his last night to have his passy... it will be gone in the morning because he is getting to be a big boy....
tell him he can pick out a special new toy blanky stuffed animal ect in exchange for the disappearing pacifier

Answer 5

I think the best and most affective way is to just throw it away and not get a new one, let your son know that he is a big boy now and big boys dont need a pacifer. My mother in law has a daughter who had a pacifer until she was 4 she tried everthing and nothing worked for her so she finally threw all of them away.

Answer 6

My son is a special needs child, his therapist told me that as long as it made him happy then to leave him with it. it wasnt hurting anything, eventually we only use it for night time now. Try hiding it and if he cries then redirect his attention to something else, then pull it out for nap time or night night time. Good Luck!! my son is 26 months by the way, not close to 3 but it shouldnt be a problem despite all the old wives tales.

Answer 7

Three year olds are pretty smart. Explain to the child they are growing up and it is time to get rid it. Have the child throw it away themself. This is so they feel like they commited to the decission. That is how I got rid of the bottle with my son at age 2.If you have to, say if you do this, I will buy you... and ice cream or toy..something..

Answer 8

Sounds like you have your hands full..I can see your concerns..sucking on the pacifier at that age can cause the means of braces in the later years..my advise is praise him on being a big boy, and the pacifier is for baby's....its hard knowing that the 2 younger ones will have them laying around..but they are for baby's ...which he is pass that baby (pacifier stage)..good luck

Answer 9

Yup, i agree with most of what people are saying. We just went through this a few weeks ago. Do it in phases, starting with only at bedtime. I wouldn't make a big deal of finding it though, it's just not available. Then, one night, just don't provide it to them. After 2-3 nights of crying to sleep our child adjusted and no longer looks for it or crys. We slept beside him to comfort him to sleep while this was occuring. It may even work to given them something to distract them from looking for it.

Answer 10

Madhouse may be the answer for a few days.At times you have to take a stand. Tell him its gone however you like then stay the course.
Keep telling how he's a big boy now & big boys don't suck those things. Then stand tough for a few days. Trust me, I sympathize with you but often the only way. I never ever gave them to my kids & they did just fine.