How to give up the pacis successfully at 28 months, anyone had instant success?

[hanna]

Hi,

My daughter is addicted to her pacifiers and wants them during the day too, at home, in the car or when she's upset etc. At daycare, she doesn't have one even at naptime. She has a rash around her mouth that comes and goes and it could be caused by the pacifier also, so I think it's time. I am aware of the different methods but the only one I think would work is cutting the pacis and having her throw them away herself. My question is, do I cut all of them the same day or a few over 2-3 days time? I don't want to cause her too much pain. She has probably 15 pacis. She has quite a few loveys, however, so they should help soothing her.

Thanks!

[MasynSpencerElliotte]

DD1 was between 28-30 months when we ditched the soother...but the only reason I think it worked right away (a bit of crying for naps/bed for a day or so, easily consoled by me) was because we had already limited them to bed only use and she was ready to let go - she had started tossing them out of her bed knowing we would come fetch them (was a unique way to get us in the room!) so I remarked she must not need it and took them all out. For a real soother addict though I cannot imagine any tactic will have instant success unless they are totally ready to be done with it. Personally I would cut them all if they are all available to her if that is the way you go.

[anna*]

I don't see the point in cutting just a few, as at any time she will only be interested in the one in her mouth, yk? I imagine it would be really really hard at this age. My daughter is 29 months, she only uses hers for sleep (or if she's sick) but I know we would be in for A LOT of turmoil if we got rid of it now, she is so stuck in her rituals and routines, really doesn't like change (unless initiated by her). I'd definitely start by limiting it to sleep times before going cold turkey on sleeping without it. With Audrey I tell her I can't understand what she says when she has the dummy in her mouth, and that nothing else is going to happen until 'bunny' (which is what she calls it) is returned to her cot. Bunny has to rest until nap/bedtime. She can stay in her cot with bunny, but she doesn't come out and get on with fun stuff if she still has bunny in her mouth.

[okinawamama]

DS2 is 35 months, and still has his, but we have begun the cutting of them slowly. He is very very adverse to change, and going cold turkey would have been disastrous and traumatic for us all.  When he was around 2 years old, we limited them to bed only.  About 3 months ago we began cutting one every few weeks. He still has them in his bed, and knows which ones are "broken" but obviously doesn't choose to use those ones. I plan to really really talk about the last one, and how I'm sure it will break too, and that will be sad but we can't have anymore, but we will still have lovey to comfort us....yadda yadda yadda.  I am hoping that even after the last one is cut/"broken" just holding one will be of some comfort for him. I guess I view it as gradual withdraw. I'm hoping that once they're all broken, and he no longer puts them in his mouth it will be a natural and easy transition to throw them away completely.