How can I ease my son off his pacifier?

Question

My son Etai is 16 months old and he is addicted to his pacifier. If he sees it he aks for it and crys until you give it to him. His teachers at his pre-school say that if he see's it in his cubby he crys for it until he gets it. I want to slowly ease him off it and keep it for naptime and bedtime until he's 2 years old.Any suggestions?

Answer 1

Just thow it away, period. Put at with the tantrum for a few days and give him something soothing, like a teddy bear, or a blanket.

Answer 2

Well.....you can't ease an addict away from their addiction. He'll just fuss that much more and not understand why daytime isn't ok but bedtime is. He's honestly old enough to cold turkey the thing. Its what I did with my son who was addicted. The first few days were rough, but he was fine without it before a week was over. If you do try it, start on a Friday evening so you have the weekend to get him adjusted before pre-school on Monday.

Answer 3

unfortunately there is no easing a child off the pacifier he is addicted you have to just throw it away and tell him that he can't have it any more because he is a big boy. give him a bottle or a sippy cup instead.

Answer 4

keep them out of his site....he will eventually not need it or remember it---if you know he is about to ask for it, then try to get him distracted with a favorite toy or project...good luck

Answer 5

My daughter is the same age but she sucks her thumb.  I wish I had something I could take away.  There is no reasoning with a 16 month old.  When you take him out of his crib just tell him "Paci stays here" You will have a tough couple of days but he will soon realize that it stays in his bed and he only gets it there.  Good luck!

Answer 6

Do your best to keep it out of sight.

My 30-month old got off his last month sort of by accident.  We went on a camping trip and he lost it.

Answer 7

Ok, I know this will probably sound really dumb to some but it worked for me with all 3 of my kids. They were all off of their binks between 12-18 months.  When our child first woke up in the morning first thing we did was grab their pacifier out of their mouth and chuck it across the room and said "EWW, YOU DON"T NEED THAT STINKY BINKY!" Go pick it back up and say it again this time let them throw it. Do this a few times than repeat it once more while having them throw it in the trash. Go on a hunt with your child and find as many as you can and have them throw them away one by one while saying this and making them laugh. Afterwards explain that they are too old for their stinky binkys than REWARD REWARD REWARD!!!! Anytime your child finds another one over the next few days (cause Lord knows they are everywhere) just repeat the process. I don't know why my kids enjoyed this so much but it made it super easy. I hope this helps. Good luck!!!

Answer 8

My first born used a paci too. When he was around 18 months he started chewing them and would tear them.. We owned several because they would always get lost so each time one was broken I would let him see me throw it away and when the last one was broken and we threw it away he just kinda understood that he couldn't have it any more...

May not be that easy for everyone though..

Answer 9

why is he going to school that young that is crazy. most places wont till they are four or five. wow that is weird. i say go cold turkey. have him find all of them and throw them all away. that is what joe on the nanny did. and the little girl cried once and got over it. naptime and bedtime might be hard but try a blanket instead that he cant take with him too school. or a new cool night light he will like. or something like that. i would just get rid of them that is what my sister did for her daughter. and she would have one on her all the time so she wouldnt be caught without one.

Answer 10

Everytime i have heard of someone doing this it has worked..

Tell him that he is told out for him.. and that it is time for him to give his pacifier to the babies who need it.. let him go collect all the ones he has put it in a bag and tie it in a tree or put it in your mail box for the pacifier fary to come get them

Hope it helps.