Is this normal- paci related

I posted a few weeks ago, that I was trying to wean RJ off the pacifier during the day...Limiting it to only bedtime, naps (and car rides if needed)

Its gone pretty well- however Ive noticed that he is so much more miserable during the day w/o it...
He is very cranky, clingly, bratty, throws alot of tantrums... etc...

We kinda slipped up on vacation and he was back to having it whenever he wanted it... and for example like yesterday- he had his paci on and off the entire day (he used it when he wanted it) and he was like a totally different child, so pleasant, not clingly at all, played, was happy, no tantrums etc....

That is the way he always is when he is allowed the paci at his discretion... its almost like he needs the paci to keep him "calm" to relax/sooth himself...


Is this normal or just a coincidence??? I dont plan on taking it away until after he turns 2- however I really wanna limit when he uses it, because Id rather him talk w/o it in his mouth. I do not want it to affect his speech- kwim?

Re: Is this normal- paci related

Maybe he is just not ready yet? I am not up to that stage yet, but I believe that kids will take themselves off (with your help, of course) when they are ready.

If your concern is him talking while it's in his mouth, then I would suggest that whenever he tries to speak with it in, tell him "I can't understand you, take the paci out then speak." I remember that is what my mom used to do with my brother and he would take it out to speak then put it back in. She just had to reprimand him two or three times and he stopped talking with it in his mouth.

Re: Is this normal- paci related

My nephew is 3 and has never been limited with his ninnies(pacifier in our family) he usually only uses them at night and in bed. He is also a little kooky and has what he calls swiper ninny(he swipes it on his stuffed animals and gets fuzz then strokes it on his face) plus one to suck on. His speech is excellent and it has never been an issue. He does sometimes try to talk with it in and we just say, Gavin take out your ninny. This is not my child but it definitely is part of his routine and a comfort to him.

Re: Is this normal- paci related

When we took Connors away we tried eliminating it here and there and had a miserable kid.

We then went Cold turkey and he was cranky for 3 days and then never looked back.

Re: Is this normal- paci related

See this is the other thing- he has a snugglebuddy (half stuffed animal, half blanket) that he is VERY attached too...

I do not limit his time with that because I really do see there to be any reason too..

However- I think his mimi (paci) and this blanket thing go hand in hand... since he uses both of them to rest...

Therefore during the day- he isnt understand one w/o the other...

When I see him trying to talk- I always ask him to take it out, and take it out myself... however I see that he dosent try to speak as often when it is in..

When he is w/o a paci he babbles and talks all day long.. with it in- he dosent speak at all (or unless really necessary)... Thats really my concern!

I just feel like he isnt the same child w/o it

Re: Is this normal- paci related

My daughter is 2 and still uses it at night. (hey, she sleeps, sooo)

I was also worried about her not talking enough during the day and I took it away. She only asked for it once in a blue moon. Is he asking for it? He might seem cranky, but he just needs to find ways to comfort himself. Soon he will forget he even used one during the day.

You could try letting him give the paci to one of his "friends". (Elmo or whatever)

Re: Is this normal- paci related

So we have the same kid. connor also has the half bear hal blankie thing. we let him keep that although he only gets it at nap and bed time.

No correlation between the 2 for him. He is very happy just having the bear.

Re: Is this normal- paci related

Message edited 3/9/2007 10:14:56 PM.