How do I get my 1 year old to give up the pacifier?

Question

Let me give you a little history first. My daughter slept with my husband and I until about a month ago, when at 11 months she finally started sleeping in her crib in her own room all night long. The only problem, which is a big problem, is that I have to get up 4-7 times a night to put her pacifier back in her mouth. She doesn't really wake up, she just will cry until she gets her paci back, and then she falls back to sleep. I have to have a least 4 pacifiers on reserve at night because they fall out of her crib when she drops them. I am exhausted from getting up that much at night, and from the interrupted sleep. Does anyone have any ideas on how I can break my daughter of needing her paci to fall back to sleep at night? She only used the pacifier during naps and at night, very rarely throughout the day, does she use it. Thanks.

Answer 1

We started slowly from 12mo on to get her to limit her time with the pacifier. At first we only let her use it in the car & crib, and then just the crib. I put more than one in her crib so I didn't have to constantly get up. However, when she threw them out of the crib like your little gal, I would not go in and get it for her no matter what (especially after 1 year). I would let her cry for a while, she should fall back to sleep. She is now 19 months and still uses them at night, but never wakes up and cried for her passy. We are pushing for the 2yr b-day (as recommended by our pediatrician) to eliminate completely. Remember, one weeks sacrifice could help break your daughters habit. Let her cry. She knows you will come in and help her, so DON'T..turn off your monitor for 20mins+ if you have to. If she is stubborn like my daughter was, you might have to let her cry for 30mins, but she WILL eventually fall back to sleep sooner and sooner. Good luck.

Answer 2

The experts say these are some easy and effective strategies for weaning:

Proceed gradually
Follow your child's lead and don't push him. Start with naptimes and gradually work up to a full day and night. Bedtime is usually the most difficult time for children, since most kids want their pacifier for comfort at night.

Use substitution
Break the habit by substituting a more productive one. For instance, have your child "trade in" his pacifier for a special toy or play activity. It may also help your child if he spends time around other kids that have successfully given up the pacifier. Children like to imitate, so playmates can be great role models.

Be creative
Show him how his teeth could end up looking by using cartoon characters or other humorous toys. If he's old enough to understand, explain that he's growing up now and that "big kids" don't need pacifiers any longer.

Try reward charts
Stars or other special stickers work well. There are also books (see Resources section below) that you can read to your child about kids who have to give up their pacifier. If your child enjoys books, this is a great opportunity to teach by example.

Promote good habits
Small rewards that promote good habits (a nifty toothbrush is one good choice) and plenty of hugs and reassurance help too. A new toy, such as a favorite stuffed animal or pillow, can help, particularly if it offers comfort.

Be consistent
Don't get impatient and give up. Your child learns by your example, so stick it out, even when the going gets rough. Enlist the support of other parents who have already been through the same experience.

Choose weaning time carefully
Be careful about when you choose to wean. For example, don't decide to take the pacifier away if your child is sick or is already experiencing another life change (such as moving to a new house, attending preschool for the first time, or if you've just given birth to another baby).

Answer 3

The best solution is to just take it away and endure the 3-5 nights of crying until she adapts to life without a pacifier.

It won't be easy for you but the reality is it will be an easier task to accomplish now than when she's 2 or 3.

Answer 4

This has worked with all my own kids, neices and nephews, a total of 8 kids. Wrapped up in a gift box with pretty paper and bows, the pacifiers are a "gift to tiny babies that need them." The Binky Fairy will take your package and leave a gift in exchange - like a new tub toy or a special sippy cup.

You'll end stressing over her not having more than she will, trust me. Children are sweet and generous and will give up the paicifer to help another baby. Works like a charm.

She will yelp in her sleep, they all do. Even my four year old whimpered last night and woke us up, it happens. She will wake herself up and has to learn to go back to sleep on her own. If you keep jumping out of bed to "fix" it, it'll go on forever and she will not be a good sleeper. The less you mess with her in the night the better, and the sooner she soothes herself back to sleep the sooner YOU will sleep. In other words, resist the urge to go in every time she makes noise, mama.

Answer 5

i year old is quite young to wein a child off the pacifier but if it is keeping u awake then i would suggest letting her cry for the dummy untill she wakes up and puts it back in her own mouth.
this can be very very hard because u already have trouble sleeping and she will keep u awake but after about a week she should wake up automatically to get it when it falls from her mouth. dont give in and get out of bed because then it will undo all ur work.

good luck!!!!!!!!!!!!

Answer 6

Wow, before I read your question fully... my advice was going to be to cut her paci time down to only night and naps. But, I see that is the problem. It's tough to take it away from them when it is what soothes them.
I would say that you may have to spend several nights letting her cry it out.
She'll either give it up or wake up enough to find the pacifier herself.
You might be surprised... it might only take a night or two.

Good Luck to both of you!

Answer 7

When my daughter used to use a paci, I had a crib toy that hung in her bed that had pockets. I stuffed those pockets full of pacis and showed her where they were. She would get up and reach in the pockets and get one when she needed it. I waited until she was 2 before I took it away. My pediatrician told me since I had waited past 6 months that I should wait until she understood that I was taking them away. Once she was 2, I told her that it was time to give up her pacifiers. I put them al l in a plastic bag and threw them away in the dumpster. That was as much for me as it was for her. I knew if I had any in the house, I would give in. Her naptimes were harder for her to fall asleep, but bedtime really wasn't that bad. She didn't ever sleep as long as she used to when she had pacis, but it wasn't too bad. It helped her teeth when we got rid ot them, so it was worth it.

Answer 8

this is what i did, during the day i took it them away which means they won't nap...by bed time they are exhuasted so they will fall asleep. however if they wake up you have to help them go to sleep without it. The sooner you do it the easier it will be waiting will may it worse. It took my duaghter 1 weeks my son 3 days and my 5 months sucks her thumb still now that is going to be a challenge good luck

Answer 9

Tell her that the babies need the pacifiers. She is a big girl now. When hers break or are lost, she is done. You will most likely have a few rough nights, but stay strong, in the end it will definitely be worth it.
p.s. I would worry about choking hazard in snipping off the end of the pacifier. Know she said her pediatrician suggested it, sounds too risky to me.

Answer 10

When my women (twins) have been approximately one million I made up our minds it was once time for his or her pacies to head so that is what I did. At meal time i amassed each pacies up, positioned them of their bed room window and instructed the ladies that they (the pacies) have been lonely for his or her mommy and in the event that they flew away earlier than mattress than that intended that their mommy got here to get them. When they have been distracted I took them from the window sill and positioned them in my wardrobe drawer. When we checked earlier than mattress they usually have been long past the ladies most effective response was once happiness for the pacies seeing that now they might be with their mommy too. The falling asleep factor was once on no account particularly an trouble. I learn to the ladies each night time and once we have been performed with the publication I could inform them in the event that they closed their eyes and rested quietly that they might see the tale within the publication like a film. Once they layed nonetheless for a couple of mins they have been off to sleep.