Say Goodbye to the Pacifier

Being a parent is hard work, but it’s the most rewarding job there is. One of the first challenges is ending your baby’s undying lover for the pacifier. The problem is there is no clear direction coming from the experts regarding parenting with regards to baby pacifiers. Infants are expected to use pacifiers.

Much research indicates the baby pacifier is best removed sooner than later. If not, the child may not begin the babbling needed for the beginnings of speech. Just take the pacifier away because you are the Big Person. It worked for me…give it a shot.

Another way is to wean them off the pacifier. Tell your child the pacifier lives in the crib now. Pretty soon the pacifier in the crib seems pretty dull stuff compared to the Big World Outside the Crib. Some parents I know swear by this technique. The suction action stops and the child loses interest in it.

Here’s a remake of the classic Tooth Fairy tale. Tell your little one there’s a Pacifier Fairy who comes in the night to take the pacifiers from bigger kids to give them to the new babies. She rewards the big kid for his or her generosity with a special gift. Wrap up the pacifier in a pretty package with your child, and leave it by the bed.

If you’re lucky enough to be making this transition near a holiday, you can always use Santa Claus or the Easter Bunny or the Great Pumpkin or a Leprechaun or…well, you get the idea. Use a variation on the above Pacifier Story. Parenting through the pacifier years is just a blip on the radar screen of life. Cut yourself some slack, kiss your baby and try not to worry. Your child will not graduate from high school, walking across the stage in cap and gown, with a baby pacifier in the mouth.

summary from Saying Goodbye to the Pacifier by: Kim Proulx