When should you get rid of the pacifier (perhaps with the help of a Paci Fairy)? A doctor once told us to wait until our child was three years old to get rid of the pacifier because then the baby would understand how to bargain. The dentist says you need to get rid of it as early as possible. I’ve heard about taking pacifiers out of a sleeping child’s mouth once they’re asleep. With all things parenting, everyone has an opinion, and you need to figure out what is best for you. I’ll share more about our pacifier journey, but everyone’s journey is unique.
The pacifier is a great tool and has allowed both my kids to sleep through the night since an early age. I love pacis and so did my kids! But there is a point where you need to retire it. When that time comes, pick a week when you can dedicate more time at home and when there aren’t any other distractions. For us, that was a week after my son’s third birthday, and we decided to take the Paci Fairy route.
Introducing the Paci Fairy
For those not familiar, the Paci Fairy is an imaginary figure (like the Tooth Fairy) that brings presents to children who give up their pacifiers. First, you introduce the Paci Fairy to your kids a few weeks in advance — here are some book options too. Let the child know this magical gift giver will be paying them a visit soon. Then, reduce the pacifier to just naps and bedtimes, if you’re not already doing so. Finally, pick a weekend for the big Paci Fairy visit. I recommend picking a weekend, so that if things go poorly, you don’t lose sleep on a school/work night. There will definitely be a few rough nights, but it just felt more logical to me to do it on a weekend.
After my son’s afternoon nap, I took a box out and said the Paci Fairy was coming soon. My son was excited since we had been talking about it and helped me put all his pacifiers in the box. He did ask if he could just keep one (smart kid) but eventually gave them all in. While my husband took my son outside, the Paci Fairy (aka me) paid his room a visit. I cut confetti from construction paper (or you could buy confetti) and used it to sprinkle “fairy dust” all over the house (the stairs, the hallway, my son’s room, etc.).
In the same box that we put the pacifiers in, we swapped a big present for my son — a play shopping cart filled with pretend food! My son was obsessed with the shopping cart. When it came time for bed, he wanted to sleep with the shopping cart in his bed (which we obviously did not let him do). He kept crying, “I want my shopping cart AND my pacis.” The crying lasted for about 20 minutes and then he eventually fell asleep.
No More Pacifier
The crying at nap and bedtime lasted for about a week and a half. But he did eventually stop asking for his pacis. We told him the Paci Fairy had to give the pacifiers to other babies that needed them more. He finally adjusted to his new normal. Hearing your baby cry never feels right to any parent, but I promise you can do it!! It is not easy getting rid of something your child loves so much but it is doable. Plus, you have this awesome squad of moms here to support you! Reach out if you have any questions @NavyYard_Mama on IG.
Good luck!
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