Binkies??

[AidensMommie]

So, I had a really good question for you all about when to take away the binkie but was just browsing a website and i think i just got my clarification! I am so tired of people telling me that my son shouldn't have a binky anymore! He has weaned himself off of the breastfeeding, not quite the bottle yet, but i know he will! I just don't really think that it should be forced upon. I also read somewhere by a doctor that it is not true that it causes their teeth to get messed up. What do you guys think about this? I welcome all of your input!! Oh by the way, my son just turned 2 last week, if that helps! LOL!

This is the response that i saw and i thought it was great!

I really don't see why parents want to rush their kids to grow up. They have only been on this earth for two or three years, give them a break!! They are not mature enough to understand why they can't have their binky so why fight the battle? Why not wait until they give it up on their own.. which, by the way, they will do, they all do.. eventually! How many adults do you see walking aroumd with a binky in their mouth? none!! because they all decided sometime in childhood that they were ready to brave the world without it. And when was the last time you went on a job inerview and they asked the question "when did you stop sucking a pacifier?" Never! because it is irrelevant! I get so upset when people tell me that my child is too old for her binky.. she's not even two yet.. she still wears diapers, people! My daughter's binky is her comfort item. Some kids have blankets, some have toys, she has her binky. She likes it! It helps her sleep and makes her feel safe! It is not harming her in any way, so I don't see what the issue is! Get over it, stop trying to get your child to do something they aren't ready to do. It's not worth it! I hope that everyone who reads this who is having binky trouble will stop fighting the battle and let their kids be who they are.. happy to have their binkies! If you have any comments, feel free to email me at [e-mail]

This other lady said that her kids were weaned off of it by telling them that they were a big boy now! I thought this one was great!

My son gave up his beloved pacifier at age 2 1/2. He never had any other "lovey" except his paci, and was never without it. He is a typical boy and loves fire trucks. One day we noticed there was going to be a fire truck at Toys-R-Us for a carnival. So all morning we discussed with him what we were going to do. In the past we had told him that pacifiers were for little babies who were sad and needed them. So we asked him if he wanted to give his pacifier to a fireman, who would give it to a sad baby who needed it. We even acted out the scenario, with us pretending to be firemen, etc. He was very excited. When we got there, he gave his pacifier to the fireman (who looked a little bewildered until our explanation) and told the fireman to give it to a sad baby who needed it. My son never looked back! And then we went in the store and got him a new cuddly bear for him to have as a lovey. To this day (he is 3 now) he has never once asked for his paci back. Although if he sees a child with one, he will talk about how he gave the fireman his paci to give to a sad baby. If we see a crying baby without one, he will say "Fireman needs to give the sad baby a paci!" The important thing to remember is that is was HIS choice to do what he did, he understood what was happening and that he would never see his paci again, and it was a very positive experience. And he was fine with that! Now he takes his bear everywhere instead. I honestly think that making it his choice was better than simply taking it away all of a sudden without his having any part of it. Granted, we had a few restless nights without it, as he was using it to help himself get back to sleep, but he never asked for it back, even in the middle of the night. I am proud of him for what he did, and he is proud of himself too! And by the way, he is going to be a fireman for Halloween :)

[momofmice]

Oct. 18, 2007 at 8:13 PM I see no reason to take it away at that age.  In fact, he may just resort to thumb sucking if you take it away.  And I know from experience - that is a HARD habit to break!

[beccan]

Oct. 18, 2007 at 8:29 PM ok.... not trying to look down on you or anything ok so please don't take it this way!! please be careful w/ the bottle thing... caleb wouldn't let his go and he messed up his teeth really bad (it was a combo of that and the breathing meds he had to take)!! he had to get 2 teeth pulled out (that is why he has a toothless smile now)!!! please don't take this the wrong way (and please no one write me any mean messages or comments)!!!

[BoyOHBoy]

Oct. 18, 2007 at 8:31 PM

Jack was 2 in June & still uses his binkie. The only thing I am doing in an attempt to 'wean' him off it is to make it something he only uses at naptime, bedtime, long trips or when he is sick/needs comforting. He spends most of his day without it (although by all my pics, you'd never know it!).  He'll stop when he is ready to stop. And usually during the day if he is playing & asks "Binky Jack?" all I say is "You don't need it right now." And he's fine. If he gets upset or continues to ask for it, it is usually a sign that he is sick or he is tired.

I sucked my thumb until I was almost 14. So I am not going to force Jack to stop his binkie. It is what it is. It isn't damaging, and as mentioned in your post... nobody on a job interview has ever asked when I stopped sucking my thumb & I doubt anyone will ask when Jack stopped using his binkie!!

 

[tess-n-co]

Oct. 18, 2007 at 8:38 PM

he's 2!  no biggie. but if it does bother you try and limit the use during his fun times. when he's playing etc and only give it to him if he's hurt or sleepy.

madeline takes one to help her fall asleep for naps and to comfort her in the car. i've stopped giving it to her when she falls and when she's cranky.

[ToBluEyedBoyz]

Oct. 19, 2007 at 12:54 AM

Hey,

JT who is now 4 we gradually eased him away from it, starting a little after two but before he was three. In each step of his development he would show us what he was ready for. LOL, true we had to do a little convincing for potty training.....but the child will let you know. Plus never a good idea to take it away if something new is going on in his life. And if you do decide to take it away, just do it in steps, say during the day hide all the binkies "Out of sight out of mind". Plus that will be the time to start working on talking. Then after that and he feels comfortable, take it away at nap times and so on. It will happen eventually. My Aidan baby is turning two on Halloween, and I have no plans on taking his away and this time.  Always to what you feel is comfortable and what you "MOM SENSES" tell you.

[AidensMommie]

Oct. 19, 2007 at 2:23 PM

Thank you so much for your input ladies! I just get so irritated when people try to tell me how to do things! It's my baby and my perrogative! LOL!! I understand that some people just want to give suggestions but that's all it should be, not looking down on me 'cause i let my son still have his binky! LOL! Anyways, i feel much better about everything. Thanks so much girls!!

I have already started to not give it to him when he's playing and my babysitters do the same thing. He mostly just wants it when he goes to bed, at naptime, and sometimes when he's throwing a temper tantrum it really helps alot! LOL!! He also likes it when he's in the car. I think it's more of a "bored" thing. LOL!

Anyway, i have resolved to just take it at our own pace and i am going to let him tell me when he's ready. I'm sure when he wants to be a "big boy" he will have no problem with it!!

(Original Poster)