How to help your child give up their pacifier

Play the “Goodbye Paci” song

Giving up their pacifier is likely to be an emotional experience for your child, no matter how you approach it. But you can help them by framing the transition as an exciting part of growing up.

Weaning from the pacifier doesn’t have to be all or nothing. Some families choose to gradually limit when and for how long their child may use a pacifier—just at bedtime, for example, or only in the car. Experts suggest that both a slow weaning process and a quicker approach can work well. The key is to maintain the limits once you’ve set them. Here are some tips that may ease the transition.

Anticipate some disrupted sleep

Choose a time when you’re both ready, and not traveling or working through other transitions. If you’re using a gradual approach, you could start by eliminating the paci during daytime, then nap time, then finally bedtime at night.

Be confident and cheerful about the change

You can say, “We’re going to say goodbye to your pacifiers today, just like Clementine did. I know you can do it and I’m here to help you. Let’s go on a paci hunt and put them in your special bag. Shall we play the ‘Goodbye, Paci’ song?”

Stay clear and consistent about limits

Whether you pare down to a single dummy at night or pick a date to say goodbye to all of them at once, it’s important to stick with your decision. Giving in during difficult moments can be tempting, but experts say giving in is more likely to confuse your child than comfort them. Instead, offer your love and support: “I understand why this feels hard. I’m here with a hug if you need one.”

Let your child make (some) important decisions

The bigger choice about whether to give up the pacifier belongs to you. But your child can make smaller choices—like which pacifier to keep in their bed or how they’d like to celebrate once they’ve given up the pacifier for good ❤️

Help them find a new source of comfort

Losing a pacifier may be easier for your child if there’s something to take its place. A lovey or transitional object can reassure them that comfort is still possible—even without their pacifier. You can encourage an attachment to an object your child already has, like a blanket or stuffy, or let them choose something new to celebrate this important step forward.

Goodbye Paci Book is available for purchase for Play Kit subscribers in the Subscriber Shop. If you aren’t a subscriber, learn more about the Play Kits here.

More expert advice

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The Lovevery Podcast
In this episode of The Lovevery Podcast, CEO Jessica Rolph talks with Dr. Amy Conrad, host of “Ask Dr. Amy,” about the pros and cons of pacifier use and transitioning off the paci.

Pacifiers: In or out? – My New Life

Pacifiers are so convenient… until they're not. At some point, there can be concerns about developing teeth and interference with speech, and weaning a child off a pacifier can be challenging.   The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry, the American Academy of Pediatrics, and speech and language therapists recommend starting that weaning process between 6 to 12 months, and weaning entirely before a child's third birthday.    To guide us through that transition, My New Life host Jessica Rolph welcomes Dr. Amy Conrad to today's episode. Dr. Amy is a mother to a 10-month-old, a Lovevery customer, and the host of the Ask Doctor Amy podcast.   Highlights: [1:19] Dr. Amy talks about the pros and cons of pacifier use. [3:42] What red flags should parents be looking for with regard to pacifier use? [5:52] Dr. Amy shares her thoughts about the paci fairy approach. [7:25] If a child is using a pacifier all through the day and at night, is it advisable to wean them from the pacifier during awake times, and then eventually extend that to nap-time and finally bedtime?  [8:38] Can we revert to pacifiers when a child gets sick or during a trip? [9:30] What about gradually shortening the tips of the pacifier?  [10:40] How much of a concern is tooth decay, and how and when should we wean our child from the bottle? [11:08] What are some signs that your baby is ready for a drinking cup?  [12:31] How and when to use sippy cups, open cups, and bottles?  [13:52] Jessica shares her takeaways from the conversation with Dr. Amy.   Mentioned in this episode: Brought to you by Lovevery.com   Receive weekly emails about your child's development, and stay in the know about new play essentials, promos, and more by signing up at Lovevery.com Follow Lovevery and Jessica Rolph on Instagram.

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