Weaning Toddler Pacifier Use
My 3-year-old daughter is still addicted to her pacifier. Her pediatrician says it's normal and she will give it up when she's ready. He says that it is her "security blanket" since her daddy is not home much. (He is currently on his second tour of duty in Iraq.) I understand that she has a lot of change going on, but I think 3 years old is too old for a pacifier. I also have a 7-month-old who uses one. I don't want to take his away because of our daughter's addiction. What can I do?
Oh no! The pediatrician has not been much help here! In hindsight it is easy to say what should have happened, as life would have been much easier to get rid of the pacifier before the baby came along, but now you have a dilemma! Personally I would get rid of both pacifiers at once, as I feel the transition will be hard for your 3-year-old because she'll see the little one have his all the time!
- Start by restricting the pacifier to bedtime—only when she goes to bed, and if she wants to have it during the day, she can go to her bed. Try to do the same for the baby if you can, as it will help his transition, too.
- Next, try to find another comfort thing: Pick out a special doll, bear or blanket that will help her feel secure and ask her to help you find one for the baby.
- Then talk to her a lot about being a big girl and plan a date on the calendar that she will give up her pacifier (make sure you don't do this until she has adjusted to only having it in bed). On that day, you will take her and buy her a big-girl toy that she has wanted for a while.
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Nanny Deb
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