Pacifier

We have all seen young children clutching a soft object, such as a blanket or teddy bear when heading off to bed. These items are known as “security” or “transitional” objects. A transitional object is something familiar to the child that serves a soothing purpose. The attachment is usually established during infancy and can be carried into the toddler months. There is no problem with allowing a blanket or teddy bear to have this role for a child for an extended period of time. But there are some items that may need your attention now, like the pacifier. Or, does your toddler suck his thumb? If so, now is the time to address it.

De-Binking the Binky

Please understand that while your child will not experience any emotional set- backs when the pacifier is finally removed, you the parent, might end up in therapy over this battle! Making the pacifier less appealing is the place to begin. This can be accomplished in a couple of ways. First, take a needle and stick a small hole in the tip of the pacifier. This often releases the vacuum. It’s the vacuum bubble that makes the pacifier enjoyable to suck on. When the vacuum goes flat ‘Mr. Binky’ loses some if not all of his appeal.

Unfortunately, the needle trick does not always work because not all pacifiers use a vacuum to create the sucking cushion. If this is the case in your home, a second method to consider is to gradually snip a tiny piece off the front of the pacifier until you are eventually down to a stub and there is very little for a child to suck on. Of course, please be careful that the pacifier doesn’t become so small that the child can choke on any piece left over.

If these non-invasive methods do not achieve your “de-binking” goal, move to the third option. You can either go “cold turkey”, meaning ‘Mr. Binky’ is “here today and gone tomorrow”, or work to gradually remove the pacifier over a period of several days. This is done by restricting the place and time of use, such as allowing it in the crib or bed only.

Eliminate the pacifier from naps first and then eventually nighttime. Start with one nap at a time. When your child goes to bed without crying three days in a row, you may take ‘Mr. Binky’ away at the next naptime. Again, when you reach the three-day mark, take it away during the night.

A word of caution is needed here: Do not start what you do not intend to finish. In other words, as a Mom and Dad, be united in your goal to remove the pacifier, and have the resolve to see it through to the end.

To read more purchase The Toddlerhood Transition