A pacifier sometimes can really do wonders. However, sometimes we need a small wonder, how to break the kid of using a pacifier. Here are ten small tricks, that should help you to get rid of “a small but undesirable problem”.
1. Make it taste bad
As well as when breaking the habit of biting the nails, you can coat it with something unpleasant what a child does not like it can also help with breaking the habit of using a pacifier
2. Give it as a present or “sell it”
If you think a child can not comprehend this procedure, then giving it as a present or swap the pacifier for something else which the child longs for it can be the right trick that can terminate the pacifier addiction.
3. Make “a cold nose”
You are the parent and therefore you have the right to take away the pacifier from the child once and for all- at least theoretically. If you think the best thing for your child and also for your sanity is to say simply one day strong “No”, you have got the full right to that.
4. Take it away gradually
Perhaps all the present people will bear best gradual and sensitive taking away from the pacifier. The first successful step is to reduce using the pacifier only for particular time periods (evening falling asleep) or a place (bed…).
5. The sooner, the better
Small babies and also small children have their powerful means how to protest against their beloved habit, such as for example a pacifier. But when you break the habit sooner, than a child learns to manifest its repulsion in a verbal way or it will negotiate with you, you will save much time and energy, it will be easier for you and also for your child.
6. Damage it
For many parents it attested itself when they damaged the pacifier in order to it has fully damaged and stopped to be pleasant in child´s mouth. Somebody will pierce it and waits when it tears up, somebody will tear it up right to the handle. Safety note: if you try it, beware, not to damage the pacifier so that it will give off small particles that could choke the child or it would start to suffocate.
7. Give it to the pacifier fairy as a present
The Pacifier fairy is tiny, but powerful and it is the next kin of Tooth fairy. This magical character can help your child to come from the life with a pacifier to a free life without a pacifier. “When my little brother was two years old, we told him, that the Pacifier fairy needs his pacifier for small babies that do not have any pacifier. It worked wonderfully- he liked the idea very much.” –L. “My daughter was three and a half years old when we played the game with her she gave up the pacifier thanks to this and without any tear. We put all her pacifiers into a bag and told her that the Pacifier fairy will bring her a toy she wishes to have instead of the pacifier. We prepared her for that several months and explained to her that the pacifiers are only for small babies and not for big girls. To our amazement she pushed out the bag with pacifiers herself in front of the entrance door. There was a beautiful toy instead of the bag in the morning, that she chose in advance. She has never mentioned the pacifier again.”
8. “Lose it”
When you look for furiously a lost pacifier next time again, stop. When it got lost, it is lost. Or you can lose it on purpose. Both possibilities are excellent solution for desperate parents.
9. Read about it
Storytelling and reading of stories is at the same time amazing time for smooching and cheering up child´s love to reading and books. By means of books you can “instigate” your child towards behavior you would like to see. It will help him also to learn new things, tackle with changes and various changeovers- as for example the end with the pacifier.
10. Leave it to Nature
Sometimes it is needed to forbid the pacifier out of health reasons:
– Children who do not use the pacifier, they have less problems with ear infections.
– If it seems that your child will have some problems with pronunciation, the pacifier can even worsen them.
– Long- lasting and obstinate using the pacifier can cause problems with teeth and oral cavity.
– On the contrary, some parents think, it is better not to be much involved in anything, and leave it up to a child, when it gives up the pacifier itself.
– Sometimes the child can have a strong need to comfort itself, so that when you take away the pacifier from it, it will find compensation quickly: it will suck its thumb, pull a blanket and suck it or it will find another “honey” that will suck.