Are you ready to ban the binky?

Ditch the Dummy? Pass on the Pacifier?

Binky, soother, pacifier, dummy, bo-bo; whatever adorable name you choose to call it!  Some babies love them, and some don’t get attached.  I was saved numerous times with Mr. Binkers during car rides with my two boys.  In addition to helping prevent Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS), pacifiers provide comfort during times of stress, fatigue, and boredom (for child and parent!).  However, they come at a cost.  Many children easily give up the pacifier on their own while some babies create quite an attachment to it.  A pacifier can easily become a crutch. Your child will need it to fall asleep at bedtime, naptime and every nighttime wake up!  Which is OK if your child can replace it themselves.  The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends using it for naps and bedtime but not to reinsert if it falls out.  At around 6 months of age a baby can be taught to reinsert it themselves, practice during the day by playing ‘Pick-Up that Paci’ put it in their hand and guide their hand to their mouth.  

Most pediatricians recommend weaning your toddler off the pacifier by 18 months to 2 years old.  While some experts recommend waiting till the age of 4 to get rid of it at the risk of them sucking their thumb instead.  Either way, your dentist will be happy when it's gone!  In general, it’s harder to get rid of it the older they are, so if you’re getting tired of re-plugging that rubber-sucker, or your dentist or doctor says it’s time to get rid of it, there are two different methods you can use. 

Wean that WubbaNub!

This method would work better for children with easy temperaments. Babies who are easily distracted and have calm personalities.  

1)  Only Paci Time  Start by designating specific pacifier time during the day and slowly decrease the amount they can use it.

2)  Only Sleep Time  Then restrict it to bedtime and naps only (not awake and playtime).  Use distraction and positive reinforcement (perhaps a sticker chart or verbal reassurance depending on the age of your child).

3)  Ready, Suck, GO!  Finally take it away at night and keep it for naps only.  After one week, take it away completely and have a sleep training method ready!

Eliminate that Sucker!

This method would work better for older children who you can communicate with or if they have difficult temperaments.  

1)  Prepare  Get an age-appropriate story books on getting rid of the pacifier to prepare them for the change. 

2)  Pick a date  Put it on the calendar and stick with it!  If you told your child you were going to get rid of Binky, stay true to your word.  

3)  Pretend to Give it away  Put it in a box, then have the ‘Binky Fairy’ collect the box and deliver it to the hospital for "new babies."

4)  Replace the comfort item  If it’s a WubbaNub, cut it off and keep the stuffed animal part or let your child pick out a new lovey/stuffy (such as a Build-a-Bear) and put the pacifier inside it!  With minimal sewing experience you could unstitch a current favorite stuffy and sew the pacifier in there yourself! 

5)  Night 1 without it  Ensure your baby had a good nap, lots of exercise, an early bedtime, and are armed with their new stuffy and/or new pajamas.  Of course, be prepared and have a sleep training method ready if needed!

Just Remember 

Either method you use, keep the following in mind:

1)  Timing  Avoid making any pacifier changes during major developmental or life changes, for example, when you are moving, potty training, birth of a new sibling or starting preschool.  

2)  Safety First  There is a method of making the pacifier smaller by slowly cutting it down, but I do not recommend that.  Small pieces could fall off and become a choking hazard.  

3)  Be Consistent  Dispose of them ALL.  Look around the house, in the bed, under the bed, in the closet, in the car, in the toy box.  

4)  Be patient  This is hard transition for your little one but children are resilient!  They can do it and so can you! 

For more tips on Drifting off to sleep visit my website at www.driftsleep.ca Kyla Lucas is a Certified Sleep Consultant, a Registered Nurse and a mom who resides in Tsawwassen, BC. Making sleep a Breeze. Drift Sleep Consulting. Everything you need to know about Infant and Toddler Sleep.