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Moms Respond: How Did You Wean Your Child off a Pacifier?
When our daughter turned 2, we told her about the "Binky Fairy." That night we collected all her binkies, and the next morning she found a bag full of puzzles and books in their place. She was so excited and hasn't asked for her binky since!
Traci, Milwaukie, Oregon
I told my daughter that Elmo had a new baby and, sadly, they didn't sell binkies on Sesame Street. So we gathered up all her binkies, put them in a box, and took them to the post office. I handed over the package along with a note that said, "Just throw this away when we leave." Savannah never asked for her binky again -- and, even better, it was a lesson in helping others!
Noelle, Fort Myers, Florida
My daughter, Lauren, and I gathered up all her binkies, except for one, and attached them to a bouquet of balloons. Then Lauren released the balloons and watched her binkies disappear into the night. The next day we took the one remaining pacifier to a Build-A-Bear Workshop, where Lauren created her very own Binky Bear -- with the pacifier stuffed inside!
Jodi, Ira, Vermont
After returning home from a family trip, we told our 2-year-old son the sad news: we had "accidentally" left his pacifier behind. We called the hotel to see if they could find it, but of course we knew they wouldn't. He still tells people that he lost his binky on vacation, even though it's secretly buried in the back of my sock drawer.
Jennifer, Holland, Ohio
When my daughter, Naomi, was 6 months old, we decided to go cold turkey -- no more binky. The first night was terrible; she finally fell asleep after an hour of crying, only to wake up again at 4 a.m. in tears. Naps were tough, too, but the crying lasted only a few minutes. Naomi is now 8 months old, and she's just as happy without a pacifier as she ever was with one.
Trisha, Murphysboro, Illinois
My pediatrician suggested I gradually cut off the tip of my daughter's pacifier. I snipped a little bit from the end every few days, and after a week or two, all of the suction was gone. My doctor was right! My daughter hasn't asked for her binky since.
Kristin, West Chester, Ohio
Originally published in American Baby magazine, March 2007.
All content here, including advice from doctors and other health professionals, should be considered as opinion only. Always seek the direct advice of your own doctor in connection with any questions or issues you may have regarding your own health or the health of others.
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I agree with the "calling it quits" I wouldn't feel right lying to my son..thats only for santa, easter bunny & tooth fairy..lol
10/14/2010 01:29:52 PM Report Abusewell my doctor told me pacifiers can cause SIDS..not reduce it..I do not put my little boy to bed with one, I let him have it only during the day, he is only 3 weeks old..but I plan to try weining him from it around 1 or 2..I don't want him having buck teeth, ..yes, doesn't always happen..but its a risk.
10/14/2010 01:26:53 PM Report AbuseThe best time to take the paci....is if your baby is congested. They can't breathe through their nose, so they breathe through their mouth. They can't keep the paci in theor mouth anyway. My son was 2...with a cold. He would cry because he couldn't suck on it. So I told him he could hold it in his hand....he was ok with that. After 2 days of that, I simply took the paci away...and he never even missed it!
10/14/2010 09:33:54 AM Report AbuseAt 2 months a pacifier is a very good thing especially when sleeping. It reduces the risk of SIDS significantly. As far as weaning goes my daughter threw a fit at bed time when she was 10 months old. She threw her binky on the floor and when I tried to give it back she turned away. That was the last time she ever used it. I threw them all away that night and she never even seemed to miss it. Just pay attention to your child's cues.
10/13/2010 05:04:31 PM Report Abuselobsterwoo:keep the paci for now! Your baby is only 2 mo old, you will need it when she starts teething, trust me! My daughter just turned 11 mo old and it is a miracle worker for tough teething times!
10/13/2010 04:24:07 PM Report Abuse2 months before my son turned 2 we took a ride to the beach, we tied his binky to the string of a balloon and let him send it off to the new babies, because his is a big boy. Of course we had about two weeks of build up getting ready to do it but it went wonderfully. He had a couple of hard nights but it didnt last more than a week or two and he hasnt looked for one since.
10/13/2010 01:39:15 PM Report AbuseI truthfully wasn't worried about weaning my son. At about 21 months we told him he was a big boy and he could only have "Baba" at nap and night night. Then on the day of his 2nd birthday, I didn't give it to him for either. He asked for it once and I told him he was a big boy and big boys don't use babas. He said ok and went to sleep. Kids are tougher than we think. Just stick to what you say and don't let them see that you really would love to give it back :)
10/13/2010 01:04:22 PM Report AbuseMy daughter will be 2 in December and she relies on the pacifier when she cries, to sleep, etc. I told her to throw two of them in the garbage about a month ago. that was awesome, but when we got home, she threw a fit and found her other one. I have a problem with making her let it go. She's my last baby and I want her to stay a baby, so I give in and buy her more! I know, shame on me. But now I want her to stop relying on them to make her feel better.
10/13/2010 12:17:30 PM Report Abusehttp://www.bye-bye-binky.com/download/Bye-Bye-Binky.pdf THIS IS GENIUS>.... i am on the 7th day, and NO MORE BOBO (BINKY) Good luck moms and dads, try it!
10/13/2010 12:16:02 PM Report AbuseWe told my daughter she could trade her binkies in for a toy. She picked a stroller with a baby and happily handed the binkies to the man. She was happy until that night and then she just kept saying the man took my binkies LOL eventually she got over it.
10/13/2010 12:12:45 PM Report AbuseWe tried the Build-A-Bear thing...didn't work.
10/13/2010 12:11:49 PM Report Abusetaking away the pacifier was fine until my daughter took to the thumb then what do you do ? she is 2 1/2 how do you take away the thumb>
10/3/2010 02:03:08 PM Report Abusecold turkey!! when my son turn two his dentist told me it's really time to wean him off of his binky. I decided that i'll do it cold turkey one night i just didn't give him his binky. Yeah it was a rough night but i know in a long run it will be better for my son and his teeth. Naps are a struggle too but little by little he'll get over it.
10/3/2010 09:16:07 AM Report Abusemy baby is 2 months old and is depending on the pacifier to fall asleep. If I remove it from her mouth before she fell asleep, she would cry for it. Any way of weaning her off?
1/20/2010 11:50:01 PM Report Abuse