The pacifier... (has to go!)

My son is now 2 years and 4 months old. And yes – the pacifier is still part of his life. Not all day anymore, but for his nap and at night, it’s non-negotiable.

The pacifier has been a loyal companion for a long time. It comforted him, calmed him down, and helped us through countless challenging moments. For over two years, it’s been a little everyday hero. And honestly, a pacifier isn’t just a piece of plastic – it can even save lives. Studies show that using a pacifier can reduce the risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). So for us, it wasn’t just convenient; it was also a layer of safety.

But eventually, you reach the point where you know: it’s time to say goodbye.

We already tried once this past summer. Gently, with the well-known “Pacifier Fairy” method. The idea was simple: the fairy comes at night, takes the pacifiers, and leaves a gift – something he had been wishing for. Sounds sweet, right? Not for our son. To him, the Pacifier Fairy turned into a creepy figure who steals pacifiers from kids. It got so bad that he even had nightmares about her. One night, I had to sleep in his room because he couldn’t calm down. Even when the fairy brought new pacifiers for his younger brother and left a little treat, her reputation didn’t recover. The whole thing ended in tears – and we gave up. “He still needs it too much,” we thought.

Now we’re trying again. This time, no fairy, no drama. The rule is simple: the pacifier is only for nighttime. During the day, even for naps, it’s off-limits. The reason is honest: it’s not good for his teeth. Surprisingly, he accepted that. Of course, he still longs for it at nap time, but we’ve made it through day two. Let’s see how it goes – one step at a time.

Our goal? By the end of the year, he’ll be completely pacifier-free. For now, we’re giving him two weeks to get used to nap time without it. Then we’ll tackle the nights. It won’t be easy, but we’re optimistic. And maybe a little patience and humor will help – like with so many things in the life of a dad.

Good Luck!

Rafael