Pacifier help

[SuzySunshine]

Ok, its time! R will be 3 in November and he only uses it at bedtime/naptime but its time for it to go. Its not even a real pacifier its a bottle nipple on a handle that we gave him when we weaned him from a bottle eons ago. I've tried the, "pacifiers are for babies and you're a big boy now" his response was that he didn't want to be a big boy. I'm ready for the sleepless nights and/or fits I just want it gone. We leave in less then 2 weeks for our trip so it needs to be done now so that he has time to adjust.

The two ideas I have are to just "lose" it and let him melt down, the other is to dip it in vinegar which my mom says my grandma did to us when we were kids. Its really more of a security thing I think so I've made sure he's been sleeping with the same blanket for eons too but he doesn't seem to transfer to it as well...

Suggestions/Ideas?

[HouseofWool]

I would do the "you are a big boy" thing and then just ditch all of them knowing that it will be a rough transition.

[ladymoreta]

I agree, just make it go away. A positive spin might be to have the "pacifier fairy" take it and leave him a lovey or fun toy that you can point to when he asks for the paci.

[TulipsAndSunscreen]

Heard from several friends that the paci fairy is the way to go. Give him a train! Or a lovey with a train on it!

[Phoebe]

DD3 was a paci addict until at 3 yo we gave all of them to the baby elves who were crying. Their mommies couldn't help Santa make toys for Christmas. We put them in an envelope and mailed them to the North Pole. When we got home from mailing them, Santa had sent a stuffed animal for her. She was thrilled and did okay without her binky. She still sleeps with the bear.

[Thirteen]

DD3 was a paci addict until at 3 yo we gave all of them to the baby elves who were crying. Their mommies couldn't help Santa make toys for Christmas. We put them in an envelope and mailed them to the North Pole. When we got home from mailing them, Santa had sent a stuffed animal for her. She was thrilled and did okay without her binky. She still sleeps with the bear.

This is amazing!


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[SuzySunshine]

Thanks guys - all good suggestions, maybe we can get out this afternoon and I can try to sneak something into the cart without him seeing it...or order something from Amazon...

[scrub-jay]

Good luck!! I don't have any suggestions, but let us know how it goes!

[Pollyanna]

I am a big believer it making it the child's decision. I mean really, what's the rush? The paci is causing no harm so there is no need to force it away. Only our boys used paci's (the girls were thumb suckers). When they turned three I told each boy that when they were ready we could take their paci's to the store and buy anything they wanted with them. They both eventually asked to go to the toy store around 3.5 years old. We took all their paci's in a bag and "bought" the selected toy. I never had any tears or problems because the decision was theirs.

ETA: I wouldn't force this issue before you leave town. The paci provides comfort which will be important when mama and daddy are away from the home.

[alison]

Dd's pediatrician isn't worried that she still drinks formula... Baby formula! From a baby bottle. She drinks it only at night, but it's been a struggle getting her down from 4 bottles/day! Gahhh!! I'm so ashamed. Anyway, 2-3 is the hardest age to wean them from things, according to the pediatrician, so she says to usually not bother until they're around 3.5-4.

[Thirteen]

I am a big believer it making it the child's decision. I mean really, what's the rush? The paci is causing no harm so there is no need to force it away. Only our boys used paci's (the girls were thumb suckers). When they turned three I told each boy that when they were ready we could take their paci's to the store and buy anything they wanted with them. They both eventually asked to go to the toy store around 3.5 years old. We took all their paci's in a bag and "bought" the selected toy. I never had any tears or problems because the decision was theirs.

ETA: I wouldn't force this issue before you leave town. The paci provides comfort which will be important when mama and daddy are away from the home.

See? This is another inventive idea.
Clearly, I need to start researching/thinking outside the box for upcoming challenges...

[SuzySunshine]

Hmm, interesting to know - ok, I will not force it and you're probably right I shouldn't be forcing it during the trip. I've already ordered him a Thomas pillow/plush so I'll just keep it for when he's ready or give it to him for something else.

Thanks iMSN collective!