In Jamaica we call it soother (pronounced soo-da). But in the U.S, I’ve heard it referred to as a binky, bo-bo, boo-boo, nukie, bah-bah, paci. There are so many ways to say pacifier. Despite these cute names, I’ve never been a fan. It’s like crack, babies become addicted to them. It’s just another thing to eventually wean them off of, which could be pretty tedious. In fact, I made a decision early on to avoid it all together.
But as Princess got older, teething took over. Those of you who have been through the teething process with your little ones know exactly what I’m talkin’ about. My Princess would drool so much and her gums would become so irritated. She was cranky 90 percent of the time. The only way for her to get relief was to put everything in her mouth. I figured teething toys would put her at ease. But, it was a temporary fix and she grew tired of them. Her teacher at daycare as well as some family friends insisted that a pacifier would do the trick. I was extremely resistent, but later gave in at almost eight months. I convinced myself that she wouldn’t get hooked. Boy was I wrong.
The pacifier was a saving grace for her teacher because nap time was no longer a major issue. My hubby loved it too. He’s been able to put her to bed at night with no problems. The pacifier didn’t just sooth her, it soothed us too. It also helps when we go out for family dinners.
We went out to get a bite to eat the other day. The pacifier calmed her down while we waited to be served. But, at some point during dinner it went missing. My hubby and I didn’t realize it until we got home. Luckily she had another one, so she was able to fall asleep just fine later that night. Fast forward to the following day. Like every morning, she ate breakfast and we played around a bit. When it came time for her to nap, the other pacifier disappeared and she wasn’t havin’ it. I tried everything! Just look at her!
She fussed and cried for what seemed like an eternity, refusing to go to sleep. Instead of her early afternoon nap, she wanted to file some papers away for her mama. Hey, who needs a house keeper, when you have a little helper?! My little Princess did a fantastic job! She was so excited!
She then decided to organize daddy’s contact lenses.
She worked up an appetite from all that hard work. But, it also wore her out. So much so that she fell asleep after snack time.
My Princess didn’t even need her paci! But just when I thought I had a light bulb moment, look what I found hiding in my Madela pumping bag.
Now it’s back to square one. I hope to wean her off pretty soon, she getting so big. I would love to know your thoughts on pacifiers. Do you love or hate ’em? Is your child addicted? Please share! I’m all eyes!
Weather Anchor Mama
When my daughter was a baby she was addicted to just one paci. She had lost it one day and couldn’t stop crying for the next two. I tried to buy her another one but she wasn’t having it! Well we couldn’t find it and she finally got over it in 2 days. I did find the paci eventually and have it as a keepsake. My daughter is 18yrs old now and there is times i want to give her that pacifier …lol RheapJoy
I gave my son the paci from when he was about 3 days old. Its very addictive and I’ve had regrets till now. Why? It was very hard to ween him off, he was 2 years old when we decided to take him off it. Plus he has a little overbite as if he sucks his fingers. Then he cried every time he has to take a nap, and he kept asking for the paci, but over time he start asking for specific toys to sleep with which soothed him. After about a week he forgot all about the paci.
I was a paci baby. LOVED the paci! However, I was also a spoiled only child who should have been weaned off of it, but never was!! I didn’t get rid of the paci until I was ELEVEN years old, by my own choice of course. I think there is a window of time when you can just take it from them and it will work (I think age 2 is should be the maximum age where it is allowed) — please don’t go past that point, as nothing good will come of the use of a paci.
Nice tip. I won’t. I’m planning to wean her soon!
Wish I could help you on this one mama but Lil J never used one. Thankfully for Mommy (and Daddy!), his teething hasn’t really bothered him.