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Following because we're in pretty much the exact same situation, except that his pedi is fine with him keeping it for sleep until he's 2, but I'm worried that the longer he has it the harder it will be to take it away later.

Following. Our doctor told us a few months ago to wean him of it because it gets harder as he gets older. LO gives it to us when he's done napping or sleeping. I'm worried for his sleep too. He's been a great sleeper with sleep training and paci.

I had to do this.... and then we actually had to give it back to her.

We did it around 21 months. We started by talking to her and letting her know what we were going to do. She used to get it in the car, naps and bedtime. We took away the car first, and kept her distracted with music and snacks.

Night time was the hardest. We talked to her about how she was a big girl and she didn't need the paci anymore. We held her every night (something we never had to do), and there were definitely tears, but after about a week, she went down with less problems. However, she did start waking once or twice a night and need us to go in there and pat her back to sleep.

Nap times were the last thing we did because she was going to daycare and there were so many distractions. The ladies there were fantastic and really worked with us on getting her to drop it for nap times.

We had to give it back to her after a few months due to some anxiety issues, so we'll go through this whole thing all over again later. It really sucks because she was better about not needing it before we took it away, than she is now. So my best advice is to do it when you feel it's right.

@cascademom: Yes, she had a paci at daycare... it was her security item. If your son hasn't had it at daycare, then I would start with removing it from naps... or whatever he uses it for least (except for the times when he needs it to calm down from the super emotional breakdowns)

ETA: it seemed like the less she had it, the easier it was to take it away from the next thing.

@Mamaof2: I might try that for the 2nd time around. But I think I'm going to have to wait until DD2 is here in about 7 more weeks (gasp!)

Here is our experience and I think we lucked out! Our doc suggested getting rid of it at one.

DS had 3 wubbanubs he loved. When he turned one, we decided that as they disappeared that would be it. By about 14-15 months, he was down to one. He ended up getting a stuffy nose and was cutting about 4 teeth at the same time. He couldn't really suck on it because then he couldn't breathe. I noticed he started falling asleep without it, so after about 2 days I stopped offering. He adapted pretty quickly and didn't really ask for it. I was surprised it was so easy. He has never been an awesome sleeper so I didn't really notice a difference there.

I would look for times there were less interested in it or maybe try not offering and see what happens?

My brother and SIL waited until my niece was 3. They just quit cold turkey and she was ok with it. M

Each kid is so different!

She started refusing it at 6 months so one day I just got rid of it and it was never seen again

Subscribing!

My son was 10 months but it turned out to be a curse because now I am his pacifier. Might be easier when he is bottle and breast weaned. If he already is then maybe try poking holes in them. I've heard that or a sour taste like lemon juice can work. May not be tear free though.

DS is 16 months and only gets his wubbanub for naps and night time sleep. He is fine at daycare so I think we just will go cold turkey one day. I think we'll wait until May as DH and I are going to Mexico for my brother's wedding at the end of April so I don't want to rock the boat until after we're gone for the sake of my saintly best friend who will be watching him during that time. I hope it won't be an issue.