Any ideas on getting rid of the pacifier?

Question

My daughter will be two in a few weeks and we were wanting to get her away from the pacifier. She is in daycare and she goes all day w/o it (even at nap) but the minute she gets in the car she wants it. Also we have a 3 month old who has one so she will constantly be seeing her sister's pacifier. Any suggestions?

Answer 1

people are so judgemental when it comes to using a pacifier arent they?

HEre are some loving techniques suggested by Dr. Sears:

A While pacifier use can get a child's mind off of teething pain, it's not beneficial to the process of teething itself. The act of sucking is very soothing for an infant, and it increases saliva production, which serves as a natural antiseptic that is good for oral hygiene. Despite these supposed benefits, extended pacifier use can, more likely than not, cause dental problems. The extra pressure exerted during sucking can cause dental malalignment (known as an overbite). Overbites are more common with thumbsucking than with pacifier use, but the risk is still there. And it is true that the longer you let her use it, the harder it will be to wean her off of it later. Here are some tried-and-true weaning tips:

Get her mind off of it. Identify what situations trigger your child's desire for the pacifier — many toddlers love to suck on something when they're upset. Also, examine your own reactions to your baby when she is upset. Do you find yourself reaching for a pacifier instead of reaching for her? Next time she needs soothing, try offering Mommy-comfort rather than paci-comfort. Think of this as an opportunity to deepen your bond with her, since she'll be spending a lot more time in your arms and on your lap.

Teach her other self-soothing techniques. In addition to being her human pacifier for a while, teach her ways to self-soothe (aside from thumbsucking, of course!). When she's upset or anxious, distract her with a fun play activity. Give her a cuddly doll or other transitional object to help her make the switch from the rubber pacifier to a more suitable soother.

Trade it in. One paci-ditching trick that has worked for several of my patients is to take your child and pacifier to a toy store and let your child pick out a new toy or stuffed animal that will act as a substitute. At the checkout counter, "trade in" the pacifier for the toy. There are many experienced toy store clerks who are used to this little trick and willing to play along!

Use peer pressure. Surround her with non-pacifier-using playmates to help her get the idea that pacifiers are not needed.

If you try these tricks and she resists to such an extent that she becomes a sadder child, take stock of the situation. She simply may not be ready to give the paci up, and that's fine for the short-term. If you conclude that your infant still needs her favorite pacifier for a few more months, go ahead and oblige, using these precautions:

• Above all, always try other ways of comforting her first.

• Don't dip the pacifier in honey or any sugary solution that could damage her teeth.

• Let her use the pacifier for only short periods of time, and when you feel she particularly needs it.

• Gradually shorten the frequency and length of time she's "plugged in" to the pacifier.

Rest assured that whether it's now or later, your child will outgrow the need for her silicon soother.

http://www.parenting.com/parenting/article/0,19840,1123768,00.html

Answer 2

Take both sets of pacifiers away, pronto. It's not easy. I did it with my daughter when she was almost 2 as well. I threw it in the trash and cut the nipple into little pieces so I wouldn't be tempted to give it back to her (I'm a pushover when it comes to her). Two days later, she was fine. Two weeks later, she didn't even ask for it anymore. And now, I can see her pretty smile all the time and there is no pacifier blocking the most beautiful face in the world.

Answer 3

When my sister was a 4 year old, she still had her pacifier. Our elderly neighbor got her to agree that she was a big girl and could give up the pacifier, but just in case she needed it, he attached it to a string and nailed the string to the side of his garage. She used it a few times after that (it was still attached to the garage), but gave it up. It was still there years later. I guess some of their great-grandchildren needed the pacifier as well when they came to visit. You can do something similar with a 2 year old.

Yes, 4 years old was quite a long time to still have a pacifer, but at the time we had several deaths in the family and a lot of upheaval.

Answer 4

well, its going to be hard. I personally don't think telling her she is a big girl will help anything but you can explain that as a reason if you want to. I have heard of cutting them (not a good idea-choking hazard) dipping them in vinegar etc.. but they will cry just as much for it. You can let her give it to the pacifier fairy, put it under her pillow and when she wakes up it will be replaced with a toy. she will still cry the next day for it but that is a little more fun than just throwing it away. make it a time when you think you will be able to handle a few nights of crying. You may want to think about taking her for a drive at night and see if she will fall asleep.
best of luck

Answer 5

When my son turned 2, we decided to get rid of his pacifier. I tried kind of an unusual method, but I have to say- it worked perfectly.
I cut the nipple off of it. Completely. Then I gave it back to him. When he tried to put it in his mouth, it just fell right back out. He threw it away and NEVER wanted it again. He also had a baby brother at the time with a paci. Obviously, they each had their own paci's and my oldest son knew which ones were his and which ones belonged to the baby. He never wanted the baby's paci's because he thought they were gross. Just make sure you get rid of all of her your oldest daughter's paificiers!!! Don't let her find one around the house!!!

Answer 6

Unfortunately, you may not be able to get rid of it until the baby does. You should have done it three months ago. Or just make it disappear. Let her give it to the fairies one night and in the morning leave a persent for the big girl. And do not give the pacifier back. Good luck.

Answer 7

I read a story of a mom who told her child that the soother fairies needed it for another baby who didn't have one and let her child throw it out the window while they were driving.

Answer 8

Toss the pacifier in the garbage and get your daughter a big girl sippy cup.

Answer 9

tell her she is a big girl and pacifiers are for babies. you should support the daycare efforts of not giving her the pacifier. you're treating her like a baby. support the daycare by not giving it to her. why should the daycare not give it to her when you are?

Answer 10

Just put hot sauce and salt on it and they will never want it again. Let them cry. They need to know that you are the parent and the binky has to go!!!!