My daughter never attached herself to anything like a pacifier or a blankie but my son completely loves his blankie. It’s not even a blankie really; it’s a receiving blanket, the kind you can purchase about six of in a single package. He’s never been picky about color but he takes it everywhere and we count on it for emergencies, but is it time to say good bye?
I’ve been talking to friends and other experts on how to help your child say goodbye to their luvie, snuggie or pacifier and these are a few of the things I learned.
Weaning! Making your child go all day long without something is a great way to start. Use distractions during the day whenever they ask for it. Diverting a child’s attention is the best way to discipline and get them away from tears. So take the day time first then move to night time. Of course, you can always just go cold turkey and listen to the tears for a few days.
The Fairy! Many families take this approach. Tell your child a story about the pacifier fairy that comes and collects pacifiers. Explain to them that they are big boy or girl now and that the pacifier fairy takes the pacifiers on to other children that need them and in exchange the pacifier fairy will bring them a special prize. They have to actually make the decision to give up their luvie in exchange for a treat. You know what motivates your child.
The Bed! This was a new idea that I had never heard of before. You and your child should sit down together and make a little bed for your child’s luvie or pacifier. Make the bed like a box so you can close it or cover it with a blanket, letting your child decorate it completely. As you are decorating and building the box explain to them what the box is for. Then at bed time, tell them it’s time to put their luvie to bed. They may not do it the first night, and it’s not the answer for everyone, but it does work. They get to tuck in their luvie into its own bed.
By guest blogger Louise Bishop, MomStart
