Can you guess what kind of day we had? If you guessed whiny, cranky, want-my-baba-more-than-ever kinda day, you guessed correctly! I think I made my first mistake by making it such a big deal. I talked to her for about 30 minutes about how it was time to be a big girl, baba’s are for babies, and that they are yucky for big girls. I told her it was time to throw it away, and I did just that! She cried, and cried, and cried. Did I mention she cried? I really thought “What am I thinking, I can’t take this thing away from her”. So what do you think I did? YEP! I caved BIG time. I could still hear her little muffled sobs as she soothed herself to sleep!
DAY 2: I woke up feeling empowered and stronger! I was ready to help her break this habit TODAY! So I took it from her and I cut the nipple off of it! THAT’S RIGHT! I did it! She cried but I just fed her breakfast and kept changing the subject. Then, it was nap time. I would put her down and she would get right back up (crying the whole time). So 2 1/2 hrs later I caved AGAIN! Only this time (since she only had the one baba left) I had to give her one of her baby sister’s baba’s! 10 minutes later she was out!
I really began to feel like such a bad mom. Why did I ever let her have one to begin with? Why am I not strong enough to take it away from her even though I know it’s not good for her? Uh, sometimes parenting just plain stinks! It’s not fun to be the bad guy.
Then I got an idea! Just like Pinky Dinky Doo, I had to think, think, think! I don’t want to be the bad guy, and she doesn’t want me to take her pacifier… Then the obvious solution would be make it her choice not to use it anymore! How would one go about such a mighty task you ask…. It’s called GARLIC JUICE and it tastes like… well, in her own words “YUCK”! I just put a drop on her pacifier and told her “baba’s are yucky for big girls”. She tested it three times and was finally convinced it was not going to taste any better, and handed it back to me. I had to do this two more times, once when she asked for it again, and once when she was going to bed. So far, so good. My pretty princess has been sleeping for two hours now and didn’t cry once!
While I know this battle is not over, I am encouraged that we will make it through!
More Parenting Tips & Tricks:
- 5 Ways To Soothe A Teething Toddler
- Potty Training My Three Year Old
Thanks goodness neither of mine liked the paci. My ds didn't even suck his thumb but my ds always has her fingers in her mouth- she is 6 months old so we'll see.
I remember those days. My son had a binki addiction. LOL.. He Would only take a certain type. I used to buy them by the dozens when I could find them. I remember driving down the road and my son thru his last binki out the window. I said "that's it, no more pacifiers". He cryed for 3 days before he realized or forgot that the binki wasn't coming back. Just another fun challenge!
jacqgrif@yahoo.com
I may have to try this. How old was your daughter when you broke her? My son is 18 months and I'm not sure he's really ready to be broken.
She was 21 months!
Okay I am definitely going to try this! I haven't attempted weaning from the paci yet because I know I'll cave around nap/bedtime. But this is a great idea and makes it the little one's choice.
It's not easy, but it's one of those things we have to do! Just remember to keep it in case they ask, and resip every time to let them taste it, that way they know it's still yucky!
I cut the nipple off of my daughter's and she it took a few times of asking for it but, she stopped. I thought it was gonna be a bigger hassle but, she was clearly confused that the nipple was gone ha ha. way to think on your toes!