How and when do I get rid of a soother?
Maureen M. emailed us at expert@sweetspot.ca and SweetMama expert, Tracey Ruiz, answered;
Plug, Paci, Chupete, Dummy, Binky, or even Sussy are all names that your child may use to refer to his or her pacifier. When your child was younger the pacifier meant a quick way to calm him or her. Yet for many parents there comes a time when the pacifier is no longer a welcome tool, but your child is so addicted or attached, you even start regretting using it in the first place.
Get rid of it early – the six month mark
Some families choose to get rid of the pacifier very early, around six months. During this time, your child is often too young to get the pacifier back in his or her mouth and you are tired of waking every few hours to help your little one find it somewhere in the crib. This can be quite effective unless you replace one comfort for another, like rocking or patting.
Another option is to only use it at night and encourage another "transitional" object during the day.
The most effective time to get rid of a pacifier is when you are in the process of doing some sleep training; leave a few pacifiers in the crib. Hopefully this will help your baby find one on their own. Encourage your child to put it in their mouth themselves. Some babies will be able to, while others won't. If they can’t, they will look for other tools to help soothe themselves. Have faith in them that they can do it. Many of my clients are amazed to find out that their child really didn’t "need" the pacifier and were happy to grow attached to something else.
Removing the pacifier from Toddlers
The common reasons to remove a pacifier from a toddler are:
- due to the worry of increased ear infections
- possible dental and speech problems
- over-attachment
- the belief that your toddler really doesn’t need it anymore.
If you are lucky, your child will drop their pacifier on their own. Always encourage them to take the pacifier out of their mouth when they are trying to communicate with you so you can hear them clearly.
Keep in mind it is important to choose a time when both you and your child are ready to make this transition. Things like a new baby in the house, toilet-training, changing beds, etc. can add stress and may work against you to take away the soother.
Tracey Ruiz a.k.a. The Sleep Doula, is Canada's preeminent sleep training consultant for babies, toddlers and children 0-7. Working in the trenches with thousands of families over the last nine years, Tracey has seen it all. For more information, visit www.sleepdoula.com.
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