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How to Wean Your Toddler from a Pacifier
If you have a toddler that seems to be attached at the hip to their pacifier, you are certainly not alone. Weaning a child off of their pacifier is something that all parents go through at one time or another. Here are some ways to wean your toddler from a pacifier that may make the transition somewhat smoother.
Take It Away Early- To wean your toddler from their pacifier, you want to do it sooner rather than later. The older they get the harder it will be for them to break the habit. Once they are able to talk and express displeasure in losing their pacifier, it will be much harder to wean at that point. You need to wean them when they are too young to express their displeasure.
Snip the Tip Off- This is a weaning method that is pretty popular. It is important to note that if you choose this method, it may become a choking hazard so only let them try to suckle it after the tip has been snipped off, when you are present. By cutting the tip off, they can’t really suck on it anymore so they eventually lose interest. You can also poke a tiny hole in the tip so that it is less pleasant to suck on. You can also tell your toddler that their pacifier is broken and needs to be thrown away.
Meet the Binky Fairy- The Binky Fairy or the Binky Princess or the Pacifier Prince is a great way to wean your child from their beloved pacifier. Tell your child something like they are turning four soon or they are starting school so now is the time for the Binky Fairy to come and take their pacifier but they will leave them some kind of reward as an exchange. It may be a toy or a book or anything you choose.
Be Firm- If nothing else has worked, it is time to be firm yet consistent with your child. Take the pacifier away and tell them that pacifiers are for babies and they are a big boy/girl now so it is time to throw the binky away. You need to be consistent so your toddler knows that mommy and daddy mean what they are saying. You don’t want to give in and try the weaning later since this will just prolong the inevitable.
