Need BTDT Advice about taking away paci from a toddler (long).

Jordan will be 23 months next week He gets the paci for sleeping only - naps and at night. He loves it, cries for it when tired, will dig through the diaper bag looking for one, flip out,etc. He will also flip out a lot if he doesn't get it in the car, bc he got used to having it in there when we'd be on the road on occasion for his naptime.
I KNOW that I have to take it away already and have been planning on starting this weekend, when I'm off from work for two weeks. I am just so freaking scared that it is going to be a complete nightmare. He is def not old enough to get the whole "giving paci away to paci fairy, little babies" etc. I think taking it away cold turkey is going to be awful. I think my only way of trying is to cut the hole in the tip.
We had a preview two weeks ago when we were at my mom's during the day and I tried to put him down for a nap - accidentally left paci at home. He cried hysterically for 25 minutes. In a panic, I ran to CVS and bought him his paci
He thanked me in this little hysterical wobbly voice
I am just terrified he is never going to nap again, sleep horribly at night, all of that.
Also, he's been in full out"about to turn two" daily meltdown mode. He's also teething although I'm not 100% sure because he won't let me near his mouth to see if his molars are coming in.

I guess I'm looking for advice, strength, pep talk, whatever you've got. Also, did anyone attempt with a toddler and give up (for that time) because it was SO bad?

Thanks

Re: Need BTDT Advice about taking away paci from a toddler (long).

we took it away at 20 months, and we did it cold turkey. Some rough moments... I say just go with it, maybe follow the CIO rules???

good luck

Re: Need BTDT Advice about taking away paci from a toddler (long).

I did cold turkey at 12 months. I wish I didn't. It was a hard transition for her. It took her a long time to understand to sleep with out it. I wish I did t take it away. If I ever have to do it again I would poke a hole in it. See how that worked then if nothing start cutting the tips and explain the paci is broken.

I would try it that way first. If he's that addicted to it poke a hole.

Re: Need BTDT Advice about taking away paci from a toddler (long).

He actually may be ready for the paci fairy. My daughter is 23 months now. About 4-6 weeks ago, we took her pacis away on the fly. They were on the counter, and I hid them. She went to look for them and I said oh wow, the paci fairy must've come and taken them for the little babies because you're a big girl now. She quite surprisingly was ok with it. A few weeks later I ordered a gift from amazon from the paci fairy. Well. It was a lalaloopsy mini and now she thinks that is actually paci fairy. She has done great without paci amd I thought it would be true torture

Re: Need BTDT Advice about taking away paci from a toddler (long).

I don't know if he likes Sesame Street, but there are a number of new videos on Sesamestreet.org about taking away a paci. I have linked a few of them but there are quite a few more to see. The original episode aired about two months ago.

Put Down the Paci Calendar


Put Down the Paci Bye Bye Song

The Paci Fary


Congratulation Celebration

Re: Need BTDT Advice about taking away paci from a toddler (long).

I'm also so worried that he won't know how to relax/fall asleep without it. The second it goes in his mouth, he's twirling his hair and ready to sleep. I appreciate all the advice and stories, ladies. Keep it coming...

Re: Need BTDT Advice about taking away paci from a toddler (long).

DD is 20 months and I just took it away Sat cold turkey. She never really asked for it, but would put it in her mouth just b/c it was sitting there in front of her. So for about 2 weeks, she only had it to sleep. She would also spit it out after she fell asleep and go the rest of the night with out, so I knew that she wasn't really all that dependant on it.

She is doing much better at night, but having a hard time napping with out it. She actually did fine at daycare at nap time, but being home is a different story.

She has been cranky through out the day. Probably since she hasn't been napping as much. There are some moments when I just want to pull it out of the closet and give in! But than I think that I made it this far, so I have to stick with it.

It stressed me out a lot before hand just thinking about doing it, and I have to say it has been much better than I thought, although no walk in the park either!

Since you are on vacation I would at least try cold turkey, the first night DD cried for about 25 min, now only about 10-15 min.

Good luck!

Message edited 12/14/2011 10:32:26 PM.

Re: Need BTDT Advice about taking away paci from a toddler (long).

Thank you! If he doesn't nap for the two weeks I am off, I will seriously lose my mind!

Re: Need BTDT Advice about taking away paci from a toddler (long).

Ds had his paci for nights and naps until 2 years old. then I started to stop at naps. He was ready so it wasn't bad at all. we tried to stop nights too but he wasn't ready. When he turned 3 we told him big boys don't use pacis and he said big boys don't take naps. So we said ok. He stopped nappiing and stopped with the paci without any real fight. That is when he finally to STTN. Not sure if it was from dropping the nap or the paci but either way we will take it. Waiting until he was ready just made it easier for everyone. Now he is almost 4 and will nap if tired but not everyday. It was definitely worth the trade

Re: Need BTDT Advice about taking away paci from a toddler (long).

My son's pacifier was taken away at 20 months. I was so glad i did it because my friends who went later all had a much harder time getting their kids used to it.At 2 years old, you may have a 5-7 day transition before he gets used to it. Every single day you get through, it's one less day you will have to redo it in the future if you go back. The later you wait, the longer the transition period is.

I think you need to go cold turkey. You need to say "It's all gone." Repeat whatever inflection he has. Say I know you're sad but they're all gone.

He doesn't need to know you threw them out. He doesn't need to have you go to the store to get a new one. They are all gone.

Then make them all gone. Throw out every single one. This is a transition for you too & it's really easy to reach for it while your kid is crying.

He uses it to comfort himself. Give him lots of snuggles, lots of pats on the back, etc. & he will learn that he can soothe himself without it.

Above all stay strong! Good luck!

Re: Need BTDT Advice about taking away paci from a toddler (long).

I guess I'll be the wacky one here, but why take it? It comforts him, he only has it at night, he wont go to college with it! My kids still have theirs at night. We got rid of them in the car when they were around 2. I don't know I just feel like why torture them before they can understand.

Re: Need BTDT Advice about taking away paci from a toddler (long).

Dd #2 is 20 months and gets tithe same times your ds gets his. I see no reason to to take it away for her now. I ask her if she going to give her tu tu's to ho ho (Santa) to give to the babies that don't have any. She says no and shakes her head.

Re: Need BTDT Advice about taking away paci from a toddler (long).

Re: Need BTDT Advice about taking away paci from a toddler (long).

Re: Need BTDT Advice about taking away paci from a toddler (long).

Re: Need BTDT Advice about taking away paci from a toddler (long).

Thanks so much for the links to the Sesame Street videos! He loves SS and we actually have one of them DVR'd but haven't shown it to him yet.
My concerns with taking away/keeping paci - I do agree that he's still a "baby" and if it helps him sleep...BUT - I also do think that the transition will be more difficult as he gets older and I feel like there's times when he gets the paci when it's NOT a sleep time - DH is the main culprit but I have been guilty with this on occasion - like, if he's getting a bath before bed, there's been times that he's been so tired that he's flipping out and asking for paci and night night. I put off as long as I can but I have given in and given it to him because I've said to myself, he's getting it in ten minutes anyway. Because of this, in would be better if there was a clean break and no more paci PERIOD so DH can't give in and give it to him Also, as I said, I know they're are just baby teeth, but the top teeth are sooo bad - you can see the curvature. Just don't know what to do.

Message edited 12/15/2011 8:46:28 AM.

Re: Need BTDT Advice about taking away paci from a toddler (long).

DS was a pacifier addict. He only liked the Wubbanubs, which have Soothies on them. That messed up his palet to where it was narrowing.

I actually didn't want to take it away because he needed it for sleep & for help with teething, but because his palet was so bad it had to be done.

I made every excuse possible to avoid taking it away & then one day (at 23 months) his last two had tears in them, so they provided no relief. That was it - we were ALL getting weaned from the pacifier at that point.

The first night was tough - he actually JUMPED out of his crib. In time it got better - we had to do CIO again. I won't lie, we spent a LONG time doing CIO - it would happen every time we put him down - he might only cry for a minute or two, but it never ended.

Just until the last week - he's been better - going down just drifting off quietly like he used to. We're all much happier now.

Re: Need BTDT Advice about taking away paci from a toddler (long).

Re: Need BTDT Advice about taking away paci from a toddler (long).

Posted by ME75

Posted by DRMom

I guess I'll be the wacky one here, but why take it? It comforts him, he only has it at night, he wont go to college with it! My kids still have theirs at night. We got rid of them in the car when they were around 2. I don't know I just feel like why torture them before they can understand.

not wacky i'm thinking the same thing! but my family is notorious for keeping the paci around much longer than is recommended! i won't even say how long i let me DD keep hers!

Re: Need BTDT Advice about taking away paci from a toddler (long).

Posted by maymama

Posted by ME75

Posted by DRMom

I guess I'll be the wacky one here, but why take it? It comforts him, he only has it at night, he wont go to college with it! My kids still have theirs at night. We got rid of them in the car when they were around 2. I don't know I just feel like why torture them before they can understand.

not wacky i'm thinking the same thing! but my family is notorious for keeping the paci around much longer than is recommended! i won't even say how long i let me DD keep hers!

i feel the same way. DS is 19 months and ONLY gets it in his crib - naps and night time. i am not taking it yet.

i think eventually, we will wean naps first and then night.

has anyone considered the "cutting a hole in the tip" technique?

Re: Need BTDT Advice about taking away paci from a toddler (long).

Message edited 12/15/2011 9:57:31 AM.

Re: Need BTDT Advice about taking away paci from a toddler (long).

I took it away the week of their 2nd birthday. DS was absolutely fine, DD cried for 3 hours straight like we too away her best friend. The second night she cried for maybe a half an hour. By the end of the week they didn't even ask for it anymore.
I was pregnant at the time and told them we were taking the binkies away to give to the baby and they seemed to understand that.

Re: Need BTDT Advice about taking away paci from a toddler (long).

He had a feeding eval with a speech therapist last week and she TOTALLY knew he was still getting a paci from the narrowing of his teeth/upper palette. Maymama, if I do decide to do it now, I am planning on doing the hole in the tip. Taking it away completely would be an utter nightmare. I know my kid

Re: Need BTDT Advice about taking away paci from a toddler (long).

Posted by mrswask

He had a feeding eval with a speech therapist last week and she TOTALLY knew he was still getting a paci from the narrowing of his teeth/upper palette. Maymama, if I do decide to do it now, I am planning on doing the hole in the tip. Taking it away completely would be an utter nightmare. I know my kid

Re: Need BTDT Advice about taking away paci from a toddler (long).

We just got rid of ds#1 paci last month- he was 3 in August.
We said the paci was broken and old and that was the end of it. He sleeps at night fine without it but the naps are becoming hit and miss.

I won't lie to you it is much harder for him to relax when he goes into bed at night now he is wired and jumping all over the place.

It was much better than we had expected and now we need to take it away from our ds#2 who I do not think is as attached to it.