Breaking a 24 Mos Old Toddler of the Pacifier

First of all, ignore comments like Julie T's...what a joke.

My son is 2 1/2 and LOVES his pacifier and like yours, only uses it to sleep. My 6 month old daughter LOVES her pacifier and will use it whenever she needs it. Some kids just need it, and both of mine do. I struggled with whether to take it away from my son before my daughter was born and I'm glad I didn't. I used to worry about what it meant if my 2 year old still had a pacifier but you really learn to just get over it and do the best you can. Even though my son only has his "baboos" while in his crib he has never tried to take my daughter's. I don't feel like its such a bad thing if they only use it to sleep and we're planning on getting rid of it by the time he's 3. Perhaps around the holidays we'll do something similar to the DIsneyland idea. I think once they're old enough to understand that they're really "big boys" and can exchange it for something then the transition will be easier, as opposed to just taking it away when they won't really understand why...especially if another baby gets to have one.

My advice is to just let it go for a while longer. With an 8 week old baby you have enough to think about and the transition for everyone is enough as it is without taking away one of the greatest "soothers" they have. Don't let people make you feel guilty...you know your children best and in the whole scheme of things its really not that big of a deal.

Wow, Jess! I don't know...unless you can convince him to WANT to give them up, I'd say you have a timing problem. What I mean is, this might be the wrong time to start this battle. He will wonder why HE has to give it up and not sissy. To his little baby mind, it won't seem "fair".

I also had my children very close together and I also blew it on a couple of things by not watching the timing. It's so hard to stay on top of everything! But sometimes you have more to lose than to gain by not waiting. You don't want him to resent the baby or you, for instance. Also, it's time to start him on potty training and he may resist more if he's ALSO having to deal with losing the pacifier.

If I were you, I'd switch the two around. I'd start talking to him about the potty and then when he got THAT straight, his own personal pride would probably make it easier to convince him that he's way too MATURE for the pacifier!

Best wishes to you,

M.

You have an optimal situation with a 2 year old boy and a baby. Typically boys want to be "big boys" and when they have "little sissy's" the especially want to. In some instances they don't think to be the big boy but want to revert to get all the attention the baby is getting. Either way I think you can embrace or create his willingness to be a big boy by explaining that your daughter is a baby and uses a paci but big boys don't need paci's because they have the special job of helping mommy with the baby just like daddy does. He should eat that up, not only is he the big boy but he is also going to be like daddy which is totally awesome to him. Of course you have to involve him by asking him to get things for the baby like a diaper, wipes or diaper bag, etc. He is certainly old enough to involve him like that and he would get a kick out of it. Best wishes.

I just broke my 33 month old of his "binky habit." I took him to Disneyland and he gave the store clerk his binkies for a toy. He does periodically cry for the binky, but I remind him of the toy he has and that HE turned them in for a toy.

We do also have a seven week old who I continue to give the binky to, but his binky is the one from the hospital, which is different from the one my son liked. When the older son has tried to take it again, I remind him of how he turned his binkies in.

It is really hard, but easier than breaking a thumb sucking habit-just be sure you're ready for it. And ignore other parents who want to shame you as a parent for making your child happy, they're aweful people.

Yes, it might be a bad fight, but you need to just do it. I've probably got the most blunt advice here, but there is nothing more simple than just taking it away and throwing it out. For a 24 month old, it will be harder, but you have to just say, okay, it's time to say bye to the pacifier, we're throwing it out now! That's it! If he fusses during nap times etc, you will have to deal with it, until he gets used to not sleeping with a paci. All my kids were broke of the habit when they turned 1! My first son was 18 months when I just took it away, he cried the first 2 nights, but then was fine. Same with my twins who are now 17 months old. I took theirs away at 14 months, and they are fine...they just cried a few nights, and now they don't even think about it! As far as your daughter, I would just explain that paci's are for babies, and he's not a baby anymore. That's it! Tell him NO in a firm voice if he tries to take it away. Say no, you are not a baby anymore, that is your sisters! Good luck...i know my advice is harsh, but they will get over it, and it will be much easier than anything else.

I've heard of some children getting a visit from the binky fairy. Leave it under his pillow and in the morning the binky fairy has left a toy in its place and taken the binky to other babies who need one.

Hi Jess:
We as mothers all try to make the best choices for our children,and Its my belief,while the pacifier is a habit that eventually has to be broken,its a heck of alot easier to dispose of than the (THUMB) LOL.You can be secure in knowing YOU made the right choice. : ) I watch the (super nanny) from time to time,(when my hubby isn't glued to CSI) and she had a cute way to break one little boy. Its much like the idea Jennifer had here. She had the boy gather up all his pacifiers.(Had them hidden all over the house)lol She got a big envelope and dropped them all in. She told him they were mailing them to the (pacifer fairy,who would give them to (Poor lil babies with no pacifiers) She let him have the honor of putting it in the mail box,and told him to look each day in his for his special gift and letter from the fairy.Toddlers love to get mail!(After all) You have to be a BIG BOY to get mail...like mom and dad. Suprisingly,he went to bed without the pacifer,and was reminded each day to check the mailbox.After a few days,he recieved a big envelope with a letter from the fairy,and I really cant remember,so I'll say a (sleeping buddy.like a stuffed dog....to sleep with. and take the place of the pacifier. The note was read from the fairy to him,explaining how happy those tiny babies were to recieve his pacifiers.The fariy told him how proud she was of him etc.He excepted it all pretty well.He may have had a winny nite,but I think I'd just make sure,he had his favorite blanket or stuffed animal with him.He needs a little something to comfort him to sleep.I wish you and your darlin son the very best.You sound like a wise,and compassionate mother. J.