Keep the end goal in mind, and don't give in. Whichever method you choose, make a commitment. Rosemary the Pacifier Fairy, by Lindsey Coker Locky, illustrated by Lora Look.Pull and Play: Pacifier, by Alice Le Henand, illustrated by Thierry Bedouet.Pacita the Pacifier Fairy, by Charlotte Attra, Jeremie Febvre, and Sophie Lawson, illustrated by Olivier Huette.Pacifiers Are Not Forever, by Elizabeth Verdick, illustrated by Marieka Heinlen.No More Pacifiers!, by Melanie O'Brien, illustrated by Amanda Enright.No More Pacifier, Duck, by Michael Dahl and Oriol Vidal.Bea Gives Up Her Pacifier and Ben Gives Up His Pacifier, by Jenny Album.But you can also use books to inspire the behavior you'd like to see and help your child deal with changes – such as giving up the pacifier. Story time is a wonderful time to cuddle with your kids and encourage a love of books and reading. You can also use star charts to help them track progress, and offer little treats or rewards for added motivation. "You're such a big kid now!" and "Great job!" will help them feel good about the change. Praise your kid when they don't use or need the pacifier, rather than scold them for the times that they do. If you'd rather not involve fantasy, you can make a deal with your child – offer a longed-for toy or other treat in exchange for their pacifiers. (There's lots of storybooks about the "pacifier fairy" to help with this transition, too.) They'll be excited by the visit, and the new gift will help make up for losing the binky. Then on the appointed day, remove the pacifiers from the house while your child is sleeping and replace them with a special gift like a toy or lovey. Tell your child that the "binky fairy" or "paci fairy" will be coming soon to take all the pacifiers and give them to babies who need them. ![]() This magical creature may help your child make the transition from being hooked on the pacifier to living pacifier-free. The binky fairy is the petite and powerful first cousin of the tooth fairy. Restricting the pacifier to certain times (like bedtime) or certain places (like their crib or bed) can be the first step. Limit its useĪ slow, gentle weaning process can make things easier for your child. If you think the best approach with your child (and for your sanity) is to just say no, this is your method of choice. While some experts recommend gentler methods of weaning, some parents find it works to just set a date and take the pacifier away. Here are some tried-and-true suggestions: Go cold turkey ![]() With that in mind, there are many approaches to pacifier weaning. If your child needs a pacifier to fall asleep, for example, going cold turkey may not only disrupt their ability to soothe themself, but also disrupt their sleep schedule. Knowing when your child will most want the comfort of a pacifier can help you ease them out of it with minimal disruption and struggle. The pacifier can help your child self-soothe during these challenging transitions. For example, you may want to let your child hang on to the pacifier if they're going through a major life change, such as starting daycare or the arrival of a baby sibling. ![]() That said, the specific timeline for pacifier weaning can also depend on your personal preference and your child's needs. Having a pacifier in their mouth all day could slow your kid's language development, too. Research shows that regularly sucking on a pacifier past this age range may affect your child's mouth shape and tooth alignment – which may require pricey orthodontia to correct down the road. When to take away the pacifierĮxperts say it's best to stop pacifier use by 2 to 4 years of age – and organizations like the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) and the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (AAPD) agree. ![]() Thankfully, with a little patience (and some strategy on your part), it's possible to wean older children off of the pacifier. And while few things are cuter than a baby with a binky, parents of older kiddos might feel judged or self-conscious about their child's pacifier fixation – or nervous about how pacifier use might be affecting their child's teeth and mouth.
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