How to Get Rid of the Pacifier Cold Turkey

Quitting cold turkey

A pacifier can be a wonderful thing for a young baby. Pop it in and--presto!--the crying instantly stops. The American Academy of Pediatrics even advocates its use with newborns because it may decrease the risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome. However, because of dental and speech concerns, many pediatricians recommend its use be discontinued by the end of the baby's first year. Although it can be a rocky transition, getting rid of the pacifier using the cold-turkey method can be effective.

Instructions

1. Start early. The younger the baby, the shorter his memory and the less of an emotional attachment he will have his pacifier. Consider getting rid of the pacifier before he turns 6 months old.

2. Before you go cold turkey, limit the pacifier's use for sleeping times. Keep it in the crib at all times, and don't allow your baby to have it any time other than when she's in her crib.

3. Choose a day to go pacifier-free, and circle it on your calendar. Try to choose a day when there are no planned schedule changes or events out of the ordinary. If you are a working parent, pick a weekend or when you have some vacation time, so the baby can get used to it before returning to day care.

4. When the baby wakes up on the first day of going cold turkey, take all pacifiers in the house and throw them out. This is important. You don't want any lying around that the baby will be able to find.

5. When it's time for bed, do your normal bedtime routine, but without the pacifier. Put the baby down to sleep like you usually do and walk out of the room.

6. If the baby starts to cry because she wants her pacifier, you have several options. You can let her cry for as long as you're comfortable. For some parents, this may be a few minutes. For other parents, no amount of crying makes them comfortable. Allow the baby a few minutes to settle down. If this doesn't happen, go back into the baby's room and try to soothe her without using the pacifier. Pat her back, sing to her or rock her in a rocking chair.

7. Consider replacing the pacifier with a "lovey." Depending on the baby's age, you can also use a special blanket. Babies younger than 1 are not advised to have any loose blankets in their cribs, but you can let them tote one around with them while they are awake. Older babies can use small blankets or small stuffed animals in their cribs. Just be sure there are no loose buttons or zippers on the stuffed animals.

8. Continue these steps for a few nights. You should find that it only takes a few nights for your baby to forget about the pacifier. Do not cave in and offer the baby a pacifier, especially if you can get through the first night. You'll just have to start all over again.

Tips & Warnings

• Older children can be part of the process. Consider having a bye-bye binky party where your child throws away his own pacifier.

• Expect a little extra crankiness from your baby, and be prepared to offer some extra comfort.

References

• Parents: Ending Pacifier Use