Is Your Toddler Having A Hard Time Letting Go Of Their Binky?
Here’s A Few Tips On How To Get Them To Stop Relying On Their Pacifier
I was one of those kids who relied heavily on my pacifier. I needed one in my mouth at all times (and many times it was more than one!) Just ask my mom, she has pictures. There’s something soothing about the binky. As a baby, the moment you come out of the womb you’re looking for constant connection and contact with your mother. You immediately begin nursing, and let’s face it, it’s a wonderful addiction. But you can’t eat all 24 hours in the day! That’s why the pacifier has become the handy-dandy alternative to soothing your little one.
But at some point when babies become toddlers, it becomes harder to get them to stop relying on their pacifiers. So, here are a few tips from experts on how to get them say “Bye Bye Binky!”
Photo of Ayla Brown
Start By Keeping The Pacifier For Only Bedtime
It may be hard, but try and tell your toddler that binkies are only for bedtime now. This will show them that night time is the only time they can have their pacifier. And ultimately the goal? Be able to fall asleep without it!
Read Books Every Day About Saying ‘Bye Bye Binky’
Here Are Links To Books That May Help. Many authors have written books with illustrations on how to say goodbye to the pacifier. Sometimes when kids see it in books they’ll see that they’re not the ones being reprimanded and they’ll want to be like the other kids in the book.
Pick A Day On The Calendar For The ‘Binky Fairy’ To Come
What is the ‘Binky Fairy?’ I’m so glad you asked! The ‘Binky Fairy’ is very much like the ‘Tooth Fairy!’ She will visit your child in the middle of the night and take their pacifier from underneath their pillow. In return, the ‘Binky Fairy’ will leave a gift for your child.
Dentistry for Children in Maryland has a great website that goes through a step by step process:
- Give your toddler a heads up. Let her know the Binky Fairy will be coming soon to take her paci because she’s such a “big girl” and won’t need it any longer.
- Create a colorful “bye-bye binky” calendar. Whether you decide to take three days or three weeks, your youngster will appreciate the time to prepare mentally and emotionally.
- Start weaning your child by not offering a pacifier when she’s in stress-free situations and use only at night the few days leading up to the Binky Fairy.
- On the day of, collect all pacifiers together with your child and place them in a special bag or container to make it easy for the Binky Fairy to find.
- After your little one falls asleep, replace her bag of binkies with treats, toys or another source of comfort such as a new teddy bear or special pillow – as a gift from the Binky Fairy.
- During the tough times, remind your now “big kid” that the Fairy took his pacis to the little babies who needed them. Expect one to five challenging nights, but soon the Binky Fairy will be a sweet memory.
- Celebrate your child’s “big boy” or “big girl” status with a special playdate or a small party.
Most children between the ages of two and four will give up their pacifiers on their own. Yours may never need a visit from the Binky Fairy. But if she does, make it a magical rite of passage.
Have Your Child Collect The Binkies, And Leave Them In An Envelope On The Front Step
If you don’t want a visit from the Binky Fairy, this may be another alternative! Once your child collects the Binkies and leaves the on the step in an envelope, leave an exciting toy in place of the envelope. Maybe even make them a cake, because all kids LOVE CAKE!
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11 Tips To Help Your Kid Sleep In A Strange Place So YOU Can Sleep
Traveling with a kid is an adventure like no other, but if you are sleeping in a strange place here are some tips for you and your child to help you get a better sleep!
If you are a parent, you know the joys of simply packing your car! The amount of “stuff” is unbelievable, and much of it you use only once! This Memorial Day weekend, my husband and I traveled to our cottage on Cape Cod with our precious bundle of joy, Barrett.
Traveling With Child To Cape Cod
Our destination was our cozy one-room cottage. Did I mention that the entire cottage is just ONE ROOM? When I bought this cottage in 2020, that was before I was married and before we welcomed a baby. Needless to say, the sleeping experience was wonderfully memorable and also very challenging. Our experience taught us valuable lessons on how to make traveling with an infant more comfortable for everyone involved! I will share some tips and tricks for anyone traveling with a baby or toddler.
As we arrived at our cottage, we quickly realized the difficulties of adapting our newborn to a new space. Babies thrive on familiarity, and the sudden change in surroundings can be overwhelming for them. The unfamiliar smells, sounds, and even the temperature can pose challenges and disrupt their routines.
As you can see, our place is literally one room. So where did we set up Barrett’s “pack and play?” See where that couch is with the white chest? We moved that chest out of the way and set up his portable crib there. It actually fit perfectly! By the third night we finally realized that closing the room off with the blue curtains would be the most helpful. Barrett couldn’t see us (because we are SO FUN!) and he ended up sleeping much better.
Pack The Essentials So Your Kid Can Sleep
We brought along all the essentials. The portable crib, a well-stocked diaper bag, toys, a binky, clothes, and a stroller. But that still didn’t prepare us for the night-time bed routine. Barrett was just confused. He didn’t understand the new space. The first night was awful and we ended up bringing him in the bed with us to sleep. The second night was bad, but a little better. He slept with us that night too. But the third night we were finally in a groove and he slept the entire night in his OWN portable crib.
Here are some tips, tricks, and suggestions from other parents when it comes to traveling with a baby. I hope this helps you too!
Choose Accommodations with Baby in Mind
Selecting suitable accommodations is crucial when traveling with a newborn. Look for places that offer separate sleeping areas or additional space, as it allows you to create a sleep-friendly environment. Our one-room cottage may have seemed limiting, but with some creativity, we were able to carve out a cozy corner where our baby could rest undisturbed.
Pack Familiar Items
Babies find comfort in familiarity, so don’t forget to bring along some favorite items from home. Pack their beloved blanket, a familiar stuffed toy, or anything that soothes them during sleep time. These familiar scents and textures can help create a sense of security, making the new space feel more like home.
(Photo illustration by Daniel Berehulak/Getty Images)
Establish a Relaxing Bedtime Routine
Designing a relaxing bedtime routine is a powerful tool for soothing your baby to sleep, regardless of the location. Create a consistent wind-down routine that includes gentle activities like a warm bath, gentle massage, or quiet playtime. This signals to your baby that it’s time to unwind and prepare for a peaceful slumber.
Optimize Sleep Surfaces
If you’re concerned about the sleep surface in your accommodation, consider bringing a portable crib or bassinet. These familiar sleep spaces will provide your baby with a comfortable and secure spot to rest. Ensure the crib or bassinet meets safety standards, and familiarize your baby with it before the trip, so they associate it with sleep.
