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We used the "big girl" approach. Around 18 months, my dd liked to play with little Care Bear figures with her brother. If she wanted to play with them, then no pacifier. It went on the top of the entertainment center while she was playing. Eventually, that led to longer spurts of time that she'd forget to ask for it after. About age 2, I got a little tougher and told her they were for naps and bedtime ONLY so if she had it in her mouth, then she had to go lie down. She soon got tired of having to lie down several times during the day. After that, I told her I wouldn't buy anymore and she had to find one if she wanted it. (She would "lose" it during the night) That worked (mostly - I gave in and helped search though a few times at least). About 2 1/2 she was potty trained, and we had several discussions about what a 'big girl' was.
I bribed her in the end with a new toy - I think it was a Dora bathtime doll.
She did have one hidden for a couple weeks after that though- I knew about it, but didn't mention it, as long as she pulled it out and "hid" it when I went in to tuck her in. One day, I took it out of her room during the day and put it in a drawer (for emergency use ), but she never asked for it again.
My ds was easier and was off it by the age of 7 months. But he'd never used it as often as she did.
Most babies have a strong sucking reflex. Some babies even suck their thumbs or fingers before they're born. Beyond nutrition, sucking often has a soothing, calming effect.
And some kids don't lose that strong need early though many do.
I never knew that, and didn't think much about it because my only daughter just spit it out from day one so it was a non-issue. I always thought pacifiers were to keep the kid quiet for the parents' benefit. I don't recall pacifiers being around when we were kids (thinking of my younger brothers who I remember as babies in 1966/69.)
I never knew that, and didn't think much about it because my only daughter just spit it out from day one so it was a non-issue. I always thought pacifiers were to keep the kid quiet for the parents' benefit. I don't recall pacifiers being around when we were kids (thinking of my younger brothers who I remember as babies in 1966/69.)
Pacifiers where invented by Joaquin Martinez in the mid 1300's after long nights of not sleeping with his new born. [1] and in England in the 17th–19th centuries, a coral meant a teething toy made of coral, ivory or bone, often mounted in silver as the handle of a rattle. [2] A museum curator has suggested that these substances were used as "sympathetic magic"[3] and that the animal bone could symbolize animal strength to help the child cope with pain.
All three of my boys loved their "nonnies". The oldest took the longest to give it up, he probably used it until he was 3. The other two dropped them a bit earlier.
Neither my pediatrician nor our dentist saw any harm with them. In fact, the dentist said they actually helped retard tooth decay by keeping the teeth rinsed with saliva while they slept. I don't know if that's true, but none of the boys has ever had a cavity, nor did they need braces.
Wean as early as the child allows it. My oldest gave hers up around 2 yrs old. It was lost and that was that. No fight. The 4 yr old will scream bloody murder if she wants it. I figure she'll ditch it when she's good and ready. She does without all day at daycare. It's just a matter of making her understand she doesn't need it at home either.
DH and I are just not always up to fighting with a very persistent 4 yr old and cave with her on a lot of issues. Not good, I know...
I'm sure they were. I just don't recall my baby brothers having pacifiers. It may be that my mother just didn't use them.
Pacifiers where invented by Joaquin Martinez in the mid 1300's after long nights of not sleeping with his new born. [1] and in England in the 17th–19th centuries, a coral meant a teething toy made of coral, ivory or bone, often mounted in silver as the handle of a rattle. [2] A museum curator has suggested that these substances were used as "sympathetic magic"[3] and that the animal bone could symbolize animal strength to help the child cope with pain.
Wean as early as the child allows it. My oldest gave hers up around 2 yrs old. It was lost and that was that. No fight. The 4 yr old will scream bloody murder if she wants it. I figure she'll ditch it when she's good and ready. She does without all day at daycare. It's just a matter of making her understand she doesn't need it at home either.
DH and I are just not always up to fighting with a very persistent 4 yr old and cave with her on a lot of issues. Not good, I know...
Lord help you when she is a very persistent teenager
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), but she never asked for it again.
