Time to get rid of that Pacifier

I know I know, we all have our reasons for dragging certain routines on. Sometimes we just want the discomfort to stop and we will deal with the consequences later.
As a mom when you are in a rush to grab those dinner items from the store aisle and the little one starts to fuse, that pacifier comes in very handy.
When you are driving and need to focus reaching back and handing over that "binky" seems like the right thing to do.

But for how long is that quick fix the best option and solution? Between the mom that puts it in her mouth for a quick clean and passes it to her child (yes I have seen that) and the four year old in the Toys R Us aisle running around with the pacifier in his mouth (I have seen this too), when is it time to give it up? I was in Walgreens the other night and saw a little boy running around that had to be at least three with a pacifier in his mouth which he dropped and quickly grabbed and popped back in his mouth!

It reminded me of a past post and I remembered my daughter and her pacifier days this is how we handled the transition...

I recall the night of my daughter’s 1st Birthday. We got rid of the pacifier and baby bottle all in one shot. Was it easy? No. Was transition smooth? No. Did she cry and need comfort? Yes. Was it doable? Yes.
As soon as your child is able to grasp objects firmly, he or she is able to move away from comfort zone.

Here is how.

• Start with introduction to a Sippy cup as you reduce the bottle use.

• Use a Sippy cup for certain liquids first only if you feel comfortable that way.

• Reduce the time your child uses the pacifier during the day.

• Switch out pacifier for let’s say a blanket or stuffed toy.

Comfort zones are nice. They help us feel secure and safe. Comfort shouldn't come at the expense of long term issues such as possible tooth decay. The night my daughter “lost” her pacifier and the bottle was “to heavy” for her to hold (these were the words I used to explain to her the changes), she was introduced to a new stuffed bunny named Chrissy.

All these years later, Chrissy is still around and the teeth are fantastic. The start may be a challenge but the end will bring loads of rewards. Think of the money you will save on stuff like braces!

How did you break away from the pacifier? Did you use something else in its place?
What were some of your tricks? Are you in the mist of this transition yourself? Share your experience.

Always stress free xo.