Is it Time to Drop the Pacifier?
Babies have a natural sucking reflex that helps soothe them, so pacifiers can be really beneficial for many babies especially when it comes to sleep! However, if you are constantly having to return to baby’s crib to replace a pacifier because they are unable to go back to sleep without it, you might be thinking about changing the pacifier relationship.
From gradual approaches to cutting cold turkey, there are many methods to choose from when it comes to dropping the pacifier. In this article, we’ll go over my 2 favorite methods for ditching the pacifier with babies 4-12 months.
Im Ready to Say “Bye Bye” to the Binky
Maybe you find yourself running back and forth from baby’s crib throughout the night to re-bink? Or perhaps baby wakes after only a 20 minute nap and refuses to resettle because they lost their paci? Whatever the struggle may be, if you find yourself thinking “I wish this could go differently,” you might be ready to say, “Bye bye binky!” and try out these options:
1. No more replacing the pacifier
Many parents are surprised to hear that it doesn’t have to be taken away entirely! If you are looking for a more gradual approach, you might be interested in this gentle option.
How it works:
Just as it sounds, you can offer baby their pacifier just before sleep, but you will not replace the pacifier after that point. If baby wakes during the night or nap time, you can respond how you would normally, but you won’t replace their pacifier.
Considerations:
You can practice having baby reach for and insert their pacifier during the day so that they start to figure out how to do this on their own, in their crib if they wake during the night.
You may choose to sprinkle a few pacifiers in the crib for them to find and reinsert (which can be helpful for babies who rely on the pacifier to get them back to sleep in between sleep cycles).
While this is considered a more gentle approach, tears are still likely. It will take some time for baby to get used to this new routine until they get used to transferring between sleep cycles without the pacifier (or are able to find it and pop it back in themselves). Be ready for some tears, but remember that it should only last a few days.
If you normally respond to baby when they wake during the night by offering the pacifier, you could instead offer some pats or another comfort your baby enjoys (but try to avoid fully putting them to sleep so that they don’t expect a new association to put them to sleep!).
If you have tried this for a few days and it is not working, you may consider moving to option 2.
2. Eliminating the Pacifier
If you’ve tried the first option for a few days and it doesn’t feel like it is working, it might be time to take it away entirely. I know, it sounds harsh, but sometimes ripping off the bandaid is necessary to avoid a prolonged and stressful process for everyone. Remember, you are only doing this if you feel like the relationship needs to change! If baby is really struggling with inconsistent sleep because of the pacifier dependency, taking it away and teaching your baby more independent sleep habits will help them get the rest they need to continue to grow, learn and play!
How it works:
Again, just as it sounds, you would no longer offer a pacifier during either sleep or awake times. I only suggest this approach if the first option does not work after a few days (which is rare) AND you feel comfortable and ready for this change.
Considerations:
When you decide you’re ready to toss the binky, start by taking it away during the day so baby has time to get used to not having the pacifier as an option at all. This will help adjust baby’s expectations at bedtime.
I don’t always recommend cutting cold turkey while baby is going through another big transition, like starting childcare or going through a sleep regression. This can be overwhelming for your little one and make it more difficult to help them settle.
With every “sleep prop” we shift away from, I like to add a new, sustainable sleep association in with your bedtime routine. This could be anything from adding a second book, to singing a song just before laying down. I love to encourage increasing the connection between you and your baby during this transition, so having a few extra cuddles or pats can be really soothing for everyone.
While I am a big supporter of adding more sleep associations, they should be sustainable, meaning they should be soothing for baby, but do not actually put them to sleep (example: consider adding a minute of cuddles or pats instead of fully rocking or feeding baby to sleep).
Stay with baby in the room until they fall asleep for the first few nights, this will remind them that they are safe and loved.
There will be tears. Prepare yourself for some big feelings for a few nights, but remember that’s all it is, just a few nights! You’ve got this.
You know your baby best!
If the pacifier is working for you, there is no need for you to alter the relationship unless you are feeling ready for a change!
Sweet dreams!
♡ Rhaine
