How to Get Rid of The Pacifier for an Older Toddler

Pacifier, choochies, binkies, boppies, whatever you call it, they are great to use to quiet and comfort our young babies, but what happens when the child is about a two and a half years old and still has that pacifier? As a parent, we often want to transition our children from one stage to another with as much ease and as little trauma as possible. This method is one that will give you an opportunity to rid your child of the pacifier, as well as, celebrate the rite of passage of moving into a pacifier free toddler hood.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• 1.Kid safety sissors
• 2.Small toy that is wrapped
• 3.All the binkies that belong to the child
• 4.A song
• 5.The presence of family
• 6.Cupcakes
• 7.Garbage Can

1. First, a week before the "pacifier ceremony" start by taking the toddler around and find all pacifiers. Look everywhere that they could be. Most toddlers have a "stash" so it is important that you find it. If you miss any its still ok, as long as, you articulate with the child what you expect him/her to do with the pacifier if they find one after. Cut up all pacifiers except for one or two that you will keep for the rest of the week.

2. Start talking! After you've gathered the pacifiers and have only two left, talk. Get excited! Tell your child that in one week, they are going to have a special ceremony that they will be able to exchange their pacifier for a special gift. There will songs, cupcakes, and family will be there to cheer them on!

3. On "ceremony day" gather family around the garbage can and sing your song, have the toddler help you cut the remaining pacifier(s) nipple part (with parental supervision), and applaud! Next give them the special gift and have everyone gather around to eat cupcakes.

Tips & Warnings

• Talk. Talk. Talk. Excitement is contagious! Younger children and older children can encourage the child too, and this helps to reinforce the absence of the pacifier.
• You may have fussy toddler for the first few nights, but do not go out and buy a pacifier! Remind the child of the "special ceremony" and the gift and find something else that might comfort him/her such as a sippie cup with water or hugs from you!
• Make sure the child is at a develpmental level where they can understand the exchange part of this process. It is not reccommended for under two years of age.

[christamiller]

on 9/21/2009 Great article. I hope the idea will work for me when I have a toddler of my own.

[RENorton]

on 9/19/2009 Outstanding article. Very well-written and informative. We just got out 2 year-old off his pacifier recently. We went through a process where we were only letting have it at bedtime. Then one day last month, we rounded up all of his "plugs" and pitched them. Within a few days, he no longer missed them. Great tips. Thanks! 5 stars and a recommendation!