How can I get my baby to stop using a pacifier?

Question

My son is almost 2 and I really do not want him to use it any more because his teeth are already shaping like the pacifier. I need an answer from mothers who have exerienced this please thank you.

Answer 1

With our son, we utilized his sore throat to get him off the pacifier.  Usually, he wouldn’t go anywhere without it.  He didn’t want to use it for about one day when he got sick, and we had it disappear during this timeframe.  I thought he would want it more when not feeling well for comfort, but he didn’t.  He looked for it afterwards, but it wasn’t a meltdown like it would have been otherwise.  Obviously, this approach requires you to be more patient until a common cold hits, but it did help.  Getting him off the bottle at night was much harder.

Answer 2

Cold turkey.  He will cry a lot, but not as much as he will cry if he ends up needing braces because he was using a pacifier for too long.

Answer 3

cut a hole in the end with scissors. it loses all its suction then and all you say is, "sorry its broken." we actually cut the ends off one babies. it should be done at 12 months b/c at 2 its harder. just tough it out.

Answer 4

Normally, I would make a clean break but since your child is 2, I think it would be best for him and you if you did a gradual process. Begin taking it away a little at a time.  First cut out morning use for a week.  Then add middle of the day.  After two weeks he should only be using at night.  Then take away the paci at night.  Let him cry.  Its harder for the parents than the child!  He will be fine you just have to stay strong.

Answer 5

I'm a father who experienced this. Is that OK?

We took my daughter to the dentist. The dentist told her she had to stop using the pacifier. At first she accepted it. We took away all the pacifiers. Then she started getting cranky. We reminded her what the dentist said. She was OK. But she would chew on things. Blankets her hair toys.

And for about 2 months, pacifiers kept mysteriously appearing out of now where as she kept getting them from her various stashes around the house.

Basically take it way from him. Be patient. He won't like it. Don't replace it with something else he might get addicted too. Just remind him that big boys don't use them and he needs to be your big boy now. He'll feel like he's losing something so he might be more clingy or revert to baby behavior in some other way, just be patient. He'll stop eventually. Just help him remember he's a big boy. Maybe teach him something new to do like flossing or putting away his clothes. And be VERY proud when he gets it right. Tell him how nice his teeth look since he stopped using the pacifier. And how proud you are of him.

Thats it. Good luck.

Answer 6

im sorry im not a mother.  but i have a little sister.  when she was too old for using a pacifier, my mom cut a whole in it and said it was 'broken'.  my sister still tried to suck on it, and when she realized it didn't work, she threw it away.  it worked great!

more methods

put all the pacifiers into a basket, and leave it for the pacifier fairy (or whatever you want to call her).  the fairy 'takes them for the other kids who need them'.  and your son gets something in return.

Pick a date and have a burial ceremony. Have your toddler say their final goodbye and bury the pacifier in the dirt. Just remember to go back and dig it up as they are not biodegradable.

Do you know someone who is having a new baby? Teach your toddler the importance of sharing by explaining that babies need pacifiers. Talk your toddler in to wrapping their binky up and giving it as a gift. Just don't actually do it!

Send his pacifier 'on a vacation'.  If he asks where it is a little while later, say it is still on vacation.

Hope these help!

Answer 7

His teeth are shaping like his genetics dictates, it isn't the pacifier.  However if you REALLY want to put your child through that the best way is to just take it away and allow the child to scream for it until the child gets used to the fact that it won't be there any longer.  It's YOUR call.

Answer 8

Hide it & don't fight it! Just put it away and don't give in.

Keep in mind that they will be better off in the long run without it!

Besides, it will save more on the Orthodontist bills later as a teen!

Hope this helps!

Answer 9

What I did was when my daughter wasn't paying attention, I took it and put it on top of the shelf. When she asked about it, I helped her look for it and we never found it to this day. She whinned of course, but me as the parent didn't give in. Just turn the house upside down looking for it but don't give it to him. Eventually he will forget all about it.

Answer 10

Throw it out and don't bring any more into the house.

  I did this (accidentally) with my first, and he cried for about four nights....during the day, he didn't care. My second one didn't cry a bit, and when I do it for my daughter, I think she'll be a bit miserable at night, but otherwise fine.

Answer 11

Tough love. Fortunately, at this age, memories are short....

Take it away - clean break - tell him the pacifier fairy came to give it to a baby who needed it if that will help - but get rid of all of them and don't give in.  Check under beds/sofa cushions/cupboards to make sure you have found them all (a friend's daughter appeared with fresh pacifiers for weeks, she'd been stashing them everywhere round the house in case of emergency...lol).

You will have tears and tantrums, for a few nights - but it will pass.  Be strong, and hold fast.  Remember...you are in charge...you are in charge...you are in charge.....

Good luck!