paci weaning problems with a 2 year old

[ruthiesmom]

Help!  We are going on day/night #11 of paci weaning with my 2 yo daughter.  She has been a near-perfect sleeper for most, if not all, of her life up to this point.  The Paci Fairy came to see her on 10/16 and she handled it fairly well.  She really doesn't even ask for her paci anymore.  The problem is that her sleep is completely messed up now.  She doesn't know how to settle down and fall asleep.  It takes 1-2 hours for her to fall asleep for naps and at night.  She has refused to nap on several occasions.  She has a special stuffed animal that she has always slept with and several other blankies/lovies in the crib.  Nothing seems to bring her comfort or calm her down.  She sings, plays, cries, talks, screams, jumps for 1-2 hours until she just wears her self out or gives up.  I had heard that it would be rough for 3-4 nights but I am starting to wonder if things will ever settle down.  I feel like we've tried a lot (new doll, running noise machine, extra rocking) but nothing seems to settle her down.  I can feel her anxiety!!

A little bit more info - yes, I am pregnant with Baby #2 now (due on 12/4) and my daughter is very verbal and understands a little.  Also, my daughter never really even took to her paci until I weaned her from breastfeeding at 14 months.  Up to that point, she would use it sometimes but it wasn't necessary.  After that, she definitely became addicted - but was only allowed the paci when sleeping.  She has never been one of those kids who walks around all day with it or takes it outside of the house.

Any advice/suggestions would be greatly appreciated!  I am at my wits end and am completely worried that I just made a huge mistake and am doing irreparable damage to her sleep now!!! 

[elf]

Why did you take it away if she only uses it for sleep and was a great sleeper with it?  You'll find loads of mums on here (myself included) who have no problem with their children using a paci for sleep.  My DD is 3.5 and still has her paci for sleep only.  It is only now that we are talking about the 'dummy fairy' and thinking about taking it away, but now that I've mentioned the 'dummy fairy' it is her that is beginning to say that she won't need it soon.  My girl is an amazing talker - a dummy has never effected her speech and half the time when I peek on her at night before I go to bed, it's not even in her mouth.  It's more like a wind down, relaxes her into sleep and calms her down.  She is still an awesome sleeper which is why I'm taking my time on removing it.  I think with the dummy, you either take it off them when they are really young, or when they are a bit older.  If you don't want to give it back to her, then I hope things settle down quickly for you.  I've seen loads of posts on here from Mums who let their child have their dummy til 3.5/4 years of age for sleep and say that the child pretty much gives it up on their own which is why I'm still not fussed about it for my DD. 

[Shiv52]

I agree with pp.  My DD is 2.5 and still has her dummy.  She uses it only for sleep times so it doesn't bother me.  Its a comfort item to her.  I had been thinking of getting rid of it but just had DD2 3 weeks ago and I made a conscious decision to not make such a big change before the baby came.  My LO has fab language and understanding and i am waiting for another while (prob until next summer so she'll be just over 3) before we wean it and then we'll do it like it was her idea. 

and half the time when I peek on her at night before I go to bed, it's not even in her mouth.

Same here!


Hope things settle down soon.  TBH I'd be inclined to give it another few days then re-evaluate! You've done so well to get this far.  Maybe in another day or so she'll be learning to go to sleep without it.  Have you tried lying with her to help get her really relaxed and ready for sleep?  For my LO her dummy is a comfort item so until she's truly old enough to understand that its going and why I'm going to leave it alone. 

{{{hugs}}}

[shivi]

similar story here with Oscar....he gave his of his own accord to santa for baby reindeer last christmas at 3 yrs 8mths when his little sister was almost 12mths....

S x