How to Wean Your Toddler From a Pacifier

Help your child stop using a pacifier.

It’s normal for babies to suck on their fingers or a pacifier. While many children give up this behavior on their own, some need a little parental intervention to do so. It can be much more difficult to wean your toddler from a pacifier than a smaller infant, but with a simple trick, you may be able to help your child give up her pacifier for good.

Things You'll Need

• Toys or another surprise for your child

Instructions

1. Start setting the stage to wean your toddler from the pacifier well in advance of the big day. Begin by commenting on how big your child has gotten and how proud you are of all the big kid things she is doing. Gently point out that big kids don't have pacifiers and that soon your child won't want one anymore either.

2. Start telling your child that soon the pacifier fairy would come and take her pacifiers to another baby and leaver her a special surprise. When your toddler announces that she is ready, or when you are ready to proceed, gather all of the pacifiers together and tie them to a tree outside with your child's help. Keep commenting about how big they are and how proud you are.

3. Be patient through that first night -- there may be some tears and even wails. When the child finally soothes herself to sleep, head outside, gather all the pacifiers and toss them in the garbage out of sight from the child's discovery. Hang the toy from the tree in place of the pacifiers and wait until morning. As soon as the child wakes, rush them outside to see what has happened.

Tips & Warnings

• Crying may last for a long time, but it will soon give way to sleep. Be patient.

• Don't let your child think that you have forsaken her. Stay close so that you can respond to any legitimate concerns. Keep soothing the child as you work yourself out the door and keep saying how proud you are for the child to go to sleep without the pacifier.

References

• Delta Dental: How to Wean Your Baby from a Pacifier