It’s time. She’s not happy about it, but it’s time.
Our baby will be 18 months old in a week’s time. It’s time for the pacifier to go buh-bye. this will be the fourth trip to our house for the Paci Fairy. And this one’s not going to be pretty.
We have let her have the paci too long. The rule of thumb we had followed with the older kids was the paci should be gone before, or as soon as, they start calling it by name.
But, as seems to happen the deeper into birth order you get, we got a bit lazy/crazy busy and never really made the move until now.
So it’s on. At this point we aren’t going to go full on cold turkey. Plan is to make the darn thing less appealing. By slicing a small hole in the nipple part the paci doesn’t work quite as it has. We also limit usage to crib/cuddling to get ready for crib time.
This morning I tried to see if she would get ready/go down for her nap without it at all. She didn’t. So round one was a split decision. She wound up with the paci, but it was a sliced paci that she must have thrown at me five times before she gave up and settled in with the flawed friend.
Now, I have it fairly easy as daytime without paci isn’t really the end of the world. My sainted wife, on the other hand, has to deal with bedtime without it. At that point EVERYBODY is tired and cranky. Things could get hairy there. Bt I have full confidence that we shall prevail!
I have news for the baby… yuou may be stubborn and you might think you’re tough, but your not even in our league. We have been in these trenches before, we are cagey, we are clever, we are battle hardened, we are PARENTS!
17 responses so far ↓
1
Secret Agent Mama
// Apr 11, 2008 at 11:26 am
Oh man, Pat, I feel your pain. I’ve been through it three times and fun it is not.
Davey never took one. Maybe I’m lucky there.
Good luck..and..may the force be with you!
Secret Agent Mama’s last blog post..Project 365 (224 & 225/365)
2
Ashley
// Apr 11, 2008 at 12:36 pm
I so do not envy you right now…we are trying to phase out bottles over here…and then, formula. Tons of fun. Not.
Ashley’s last blog post..Favorite Stuff: at one year
3
tom
// Apr 11, 2008 at 1:40 pm
It’s going to get noisy!! Good Luck (-:
tom’s last blog post..The Path Of Least Resistance (PLR)
4
struglas
// Apr 11, 2008 at 1:43 pm
the pics you provided make me nervous about the battle outcome that’s soon to follow. she looks pretty tough and relentless.
struglas’s last blog post..you’ve got to be kidding me
5
Kim
// Apr 11, 2008 at 2:21 pm
Those pics make it look like it will be a good fight. Good luck with the battles. I will be cheering for you guys.
Kim’s last blog post..The Number Ghost
6
jason
// Apr 11, 2008 at 3:30 pm
We have a friend with a four-year-old that still sucks on a pacifier. It’s pathetic. We were fortunate that our son never sucked on one…ever. Unfortunately, he is a thumb sucker. Problem with that is you can’t take away the thumb.
jason’s last blog post..Foto Friday
7
Ed (zoesdad)
// Apr 11, 2008 at 4:16 pm
We never used them with any of our kids. The twins (two years old) still suck thumbs and fingers. It’s much easier to toss a paci than cut off a finger. Not that that is going to help you these next few days but just so you know–it could be worse.
Ed (zoesdad)’s last blog post..Virgin Ears
8
MangyCat
// Apr 11, 2008 at 5:01 pm
Stick to yer guns! This too shall pass. (As you well know!)
MangyCat’s last blog post..4.11.08 Here comes the sun
9
Meg
// Apr 11, 2008 at 6:51 pm
I feel your pain. I ‘ve been through it. But I do have to say, some kids have a strong need for sensory stimulation and in the end, it may be better for her to suck on a pacifier than a toy with lead paint.
Meg’s last blog post..Really, Really Hard Not to be Pornographic
10
Dan
// Apr 11, 2008 at 6:56 pm
You’re a braver man than me. We let Amy choose when she wanted to give it up. she was about three and a half. She was only using it at night though.
Dan’s last blog post..And then I shall capture the Golden Stag of Artemis
11
Senora Patron
// Apr 11, 2008 at 9:03 pm
call it by name? in that case, nick would’ve been - oh, 4? everything up until he was 2 was “buh.” Bottle = “buh.” Toys = “buh.”
Actually, right around 2 - he threw “binky” in the trashcan. Never asked for one again. 2 you say - and think that’s old? That’s ok - cause also at around 2 - he potty-trained himself in a day. woohoot!
Senora Patron
Drinkin’ and blog-hoppin’ on a Friday night.
Senora Patron’s last blog post..And you thought you knew everything there was to know…
12
Tara R.
// Apr 11, 2008 at 9:09 pm
Good luck with the paci withdrawal…
blog hopping - etcetera
Tara R.’s last blog post..A little housekeeping?
13
Stephen
// Apr 11, 2008 at 11:37 pm
No fun. Yes, it’s just about that time for our youngest, but we’re planning to get rid of it sooner than with our oldest…I think she was almost 3 before we got rid of hers.
Stephen’s last blog post..Eating, Tire-ing, and Acting
14
mimipz5wjj
// Apr 12, 2008 at 6:26 pm
Oh good luck! I think 18 months is the WORST time ever to give up a paci! Our oldest we missed the “window” and he had his until he gave it up on his own at 3! Our youngest, we got the 12 month window just in time!
Good luck and hopefully you all get some sleep the next few nights!
mimipz5wjj’s last blog post..Blowing in the Wind
15
Russ
// Apr 12, 2008 at 6:55 pm
Jason and I are in the same boat, my boy never took a paci either, but he loves his thumb. I saw some wicked looking thumb cuffs that prevent thumb sucking, but it just looks cruel.
Russ’s last blog post..Insurance: Needed or Racket, by Russ
16
freehold
// Apr 14, 2008 at 10:52 am
i feel for you manj! we went thru it with the first 2 kids…. first cut it back to crib and car rides only, then just the crib, then nothing. not easy.
the twins (who are now 14 months) never took to the binkies - - they are both thumb suckers.
17
Michele
// Apr 14, 2008 at 12:34 pm
Our oldest was almost three when I put vinagar on it and she threw all of hers away while crying she did go to bed without it and cried off and on for a few days but she got me back and totally gave up her naps. The first few weeks without naps was awful. I wanted out youngest to give it up by one but she does not cuddle with anything except “ba ba” as she calls it. She does not want a stuffed animal, blankets or anything it all gets thrown out except paci. However something I did do differently with her she is only allowed to have it at nap time or bed time unless she is sick or we have a long car ride so her need for it is only for comfort to sleep. Good luck!
Michele’s last blog post..Total Money Makeover
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