Moms Talk: Pacifiers

This week's edition of Moms Talk focuses on babies, who morph into talking toddlers, and whether or not to use pacifiers. 

As a parent, this is your opportunity to share your opinion, ask questions or even answer those of other parents. Moms Talk is a weekly feature on Patch intended to generate discussion about topics confronting parents right here in Grosse Pointe. 

Our original 10-member council has grown by two since last week, making our council 12 members strong. They will be chiming into the conversation, offering their opinions, experience and possibly even posing questions for others to answer. 

This week's question: Pacifiers--to use them or not? If so, what are the best strategies for eventually eliminating them? 

As I pose this question suggested by one of the Moms Council members, I thought I would share my own experience about pacifiers. 

My daughter, who is now 3 years old, didn't begin using a pacifier until she was probably about four months old. She mainly used it at nap time and bedtime. Originally, my husband and I thought about skipping the use of a pacifier. 

Generally, our daughter was and continues to be a happy being. We are fortunate. 

When it came time to rid her of the habit, which wasn't very strong, we gave it a few attempts to just take it away. That was a bust. So in steps one of my oldest and closest friends, who shared an idea with us that I will share with you. It may not work for everyone but it just might be worth a try. 

We decided to give our pacifiers to Santa Claus so he could then deliver them to all of the babies around the world. There are only so many pacifiers in the world, you see, so we can't keep them forever and little babies need them, we told her.

As my husband and I drove home that Christmas Eve, I can remember him looking at me and saying, "are we really going to do this?" Yes, I replied. 

Promptly when we arrived home, we gathered the pacifiers, cookies and poured a glass of milk--all of which our daughter helped us place on the coffee table in our living room. She had just turned 2 years old. 

Then came story time, followed by bedtime. Of course in the morning Santa had taken the pacifiers, eaten the cookies and drank the milk, leaving only crumbs behind. That was that. 

Occasionally, she would remind us that Santa gave her pacifiers to other babies, but we didn't suffer any consequences, thankfully. This is best case scenerio I realize, but it worked for my friend and it worked for us, so maybe it could work for you too.  

Have a topic you'd like to see discussed here? Email Sara.Martin@patch.com.