Inseparable pacifier
Around the age of two, it's time to give up the dummy: a difficult phase for both the baby and the parents, who often don't know where to start. Here are 9 strategies to say goodbye to the pacifier without too much trauma.
You have used the right words, sweetness, play, and you have communicated to your two-year-old son that he will soon have to abandon the pacifier. If he cried, squirmed, or glared at you, know that you're not the only ones this has happened to. Some children, a few, never ask for it, not even in the first months of life, while there are many who continue to use the beloved pacifier well beyond the first two years, i.e. the average age recommended by paediatricians to avoid dental problems (in addition to fact that always having the pacifier in the mouth inhibits the development of speech and socialization). Up to one year old, the sucking instinct is extremely strong, the baby sucks because it is a natural gesture that calms him and contributes to his balance. Subsequently, this need diminishes and, above all, evolves: it becomes a psychological need to remedy situations of 'discomfort', such as the transition from wakefulness. to sleep or times when you feel sad or lonely. Thus it happens that the child begins to consider the pacifier indispensable and to see its future absence as a loss.
Say goodbye to the pacifier in 9 moves (and strategies)
First stage, limit its use to bedtime: the little one must get used to putting the dummy in a drawer when he wakes up, only to take it up again for bedtime. A rule that can apply as much at home as in kindergarten and nursery school. 2 Plan the goodbye at a time when the child is quiet, such as holidays, his birthday, Christmas. 3 Prepare him for change: children get used to new things better when they are predisposed to the idea. 4 Use reassuring words, let him understand that you trust him and avoid comparisons with other children, which could be guilty. 5 Read an illustrated book on the subject with him: identification will begin to emerge in the child. A good title is 'Anna sleeps without a pacifier' by Kathleen Amant (Clavis, 2015). 6 Set a date together with him, and respect it: this is an important step in the child's life and he needs to feel your security. 7 Having established the day, invent a game: the story of the fairy works, who arrives at night to get the pacifier because she knows that the baby is now grown up. And often brings a little gift. The night before, tie a nice bow to the pacifier and ask the child to place it on the windowsill so that the fairy can find it right away. 8 Or, inform him that, when the big day arrives, you can organize a party: a day at the park, a snack with friends. Your little one will be in a hurry to combine. 9 Finally, try to make him responsible: it's time to give away the pacifier because it will be needed by the cousin on the way, for example. Also in this case, proposing a small 'barter' helps: you have been generous and, instead of the pacifier, you will receive a nice gift. What do you like?
The first days as an 'adult'
Generally, the transition phase lasts only a few days, even if not without some difficulties. When the baby has trouble falling asleep without a pacifier, read him a story, this will calm him down. When he gets nervous during the day, comfort him by telling him that his smile has never looked so bright, and what beautiful teeth! Little by little you will be able to reassure him, a new step in his path towards autonomy.
Methods to avoid
Some parents choose to remove the pacifier suddenly, without offering particular explanations: that's right, you're grown up and starting tomorrow you'll change. Maybe this method works, in practice - and it can make sense if the child is still very young, a few months at the most - but it is probably not the best way if your child is already two or three years old. The same applies when, to solve the problem, you choose to give the pacifier a bad taste, which will force the little one to refuse it - there are various products on the market, such as those to stop biting nails - The fact is that a child of pre-school needs to be informed, to understand and get answers, to feel that you trust him to face the changes serenely.
