So this morning I decided that I had to begin the process of paring down the paci. Liam is becoming/has become entirely too dependent on it in recent weeks–wanting to have it in his mouth for many more hours daily than he used to (he was generally only using it at naptime and bedtime, which is still okay with me) and throwing all out fits when he points to the spot where we keep it and says “pa” and I respond with “I’m sorry, you may not have that right now.” Liam has now been throwing and all out fit complete with screaming, wringing of hands, and even stomping for about 35 minutes. He’s absolutely exhausted himself (which hopefully will translate into a fantastic nap, because at this point we’re both at the edge). I’m really hoping that the introduction of lunch will interrupt this, because otherwise it will feel like pure torture for no good reason when I have to put him down and I give him the paci which will only stand to reinforce the current fit…seriously, why has no one written a complete handbook for this whole parenting thing yet…?
Be strong and may the force be with you!
Thanks. I’m taking it as a good sign that when I got him up from his nap a few minutes ago he voluntarily spat the paci into my hand and even gave me his woobie to put away with it. I’m not exhaling quite yet, but definitely taking every sign I get!
yeah, keeping it in his crib/bed as an ‘only there’ treat is good (and maybe a teensy bit more downtime for you).
the only other trick I know is to cut off the tip a little at a time and he’ll eventually lose interest.
One thing my aunt did with one of my cousins was when they visited the zoo and saw a baby elephant, she told the sad, sad story of how the baby elephant didn’t have a paci of his own…also a good way to gauge his moral compass!
I’d never heard of the cutting off the tip thing, if I could guarantee that it wouldn’t crumble so that he swallows some of it–it’s a fantastic concept! THanks for the tip (ha)!
Also–I think we’ll definitely go with the “paci fairy” method of getting rid of it as soon as he’s old enough to grasp the concept, but right now anything more than a simple “you may have this in your bed and only in your bed” idea is a bit over his head.