3 Steps to Get Rid of Your Toddler’s Pacifier
We all know that toddlers are feisty. They know what they want when they want it & trying to change their mind is HARD. But, there are many times where we need to direct them and help them make choices. One of these choices is ditching the pacifier.
Transitions can be really difficult, especially with toddlers. I have a whole blog post devoted to toddler transitions - here is the link. Basically, you have a few options when it comes to transitioning out of the pacifier - but I highly recommend AVOIDING a ‘wean down’ process with sleep props.
Here are 3 tips to ditch your toddlers paci:
Give them a timeline. Toddlers don’t respond well with immediate change (toddler transition tips blog) so by giving them a timeline for when the paci is going “bye bye” you are going to make sure they know it is happening. If they are completely included in the decision that you made, it will be less shocking and traumatic that their favourite bedtime item is no longer available.
For example: Letting them cut the nipple off of the pacifier and then explaining that now it is broken, we can’t use it anymore.Cold-Turkey. For transitions, you don’t want a long drawn out “you’re only getting it for bedtime, not nap time” scenario going on. For cutting out a sleep prop with a toddler, it needs to be a cold-turkey situation. After giving them a timeline and including them in that process, then it is time to not revert BACK to the pacifier if things get hard. The worst thing we can do in any sleep training process is to remove something and then GIVE IN and bring that item right back. This teaches your child that there is a time limit to crying and they also won’t take you seriously because your follow-through is non-existent.
Consistency. Every sleep training topic always come back to consistency. Be consistent with your removal process and be careful not to introduce another sleep prop in the mix. Usually with toddlers, YOU become the sleep prop. They want you to lay with them until they fall asleep, and then for every wake after that because they woke and realized you went back to your bed ;) I’d highly recommend avoiding laying down with your toddler in their bed until they fall asleep because it can really be a tricky habit to break. If you’re already caught in this rut, let’s chat about how we can change that.
A little pacifier Q&A:
Why is the pacifier a problem? It’s considered a sleep prop, and although your child can most likely find the pacifier in their crib or bed without your help, it is requiring them to fully wake and come to alertness trying to find that pacifier.
What is the difference between pacifier and thumb? I hear this argument all of the time. “Well I don’t want a thumbsucker, I want something I can take away.” Well that is nice and somewhat true… it is rare that a child who loves to suck on something just gives up the pacifier when you’re “ready” to take it away; not resorting to comforting themselves with their thumb or even sucking on a stuffy or a blanket. While both the pacifier and thumb-sucking are not ideal for the development of the changing palate and potential for adult teeth, thumb-sucking is an amazing self-soothing mechanism.
Ps. Most children start losing their front baby teeth around age 5-6, and if your child is still thumb-sucking then, there are many many intervention options.
But he sleeps through the night even with the pacifier & I never hear him? Then I’d like you to follow this mantra: If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it. If your child sleeps amazingly and doesn’t wake through the night and call out for your help finding their pacifier, or you don’t even notice them waking up through the night for extended periods of time, then take the pacifier away when YOU are ready. There will be a little kickback, but they can sleep through the night without the paci, I promise.
I know making changes are hard and they can almost feel impossible at the time. If you need any help or guidance through this process, be sure to book a call to see if working together would make sense for your family.
