Here's the deal. Our boys have been privy to pacifiers in their short lifetimes. When they were first born we would give them to them whenever fussing without "reason" would commence. Remember the blind plug?! However, as they got older we stopped giving them to them as often and eventually at 6 months, nixed giving them to them all together. Well sometime in the past two months, Abe found a rebel pacifier in his crib and likes to grab it when we lay him down for a nap or bedtime. I haven't minded, mostly because he puts it in his mouth when he wants it and he doesn't NEED it to go to sleep. He just seems to enjoy it. Plus he looks so darn content laying there all snuggly and sucking away. So my question is, "Do I pull the plug?" Literally? As I sit typing, he is in the jumperoo, jumping away and...sucking. I, who am desperate to finish pumping before they eat at 3, am allowing him to have his pacifier because it is keeping him content at the moment. So is this wrong? I don't want to be the mom with the two year old running around with a pacifier in his mouth but at the same time our schedule is not always glitch free and an added "hand" once in a while is a big help. So what do I do. I fear if he's allowed to have it at sleepytime, it will carry over into other parts of our day. However, is it wrong to let him enjoy having a pacifier at 8 months old? This seems like such a non-essential issue but yet can have long term affects (says the girl who had a blankie till she was 10!). Your thoughts?!
Thursday, October 30, 2008
To Pacify, Or Not To Pacify?!
Here's the deal. Our boys have been privy to pacifiers in their short lifetimes. When they were first born we would give them to them whenever fussing without "reason" would commence. Remember the blind plug?! However, as they got older we stopped giving them to them as often and eventually at 6 months, nixed giving them to them all together. Well sometime in the past two months, Abe found a rebel pacifier in his crib and likes to grab it when we lay him down for a nap or bedtime. I haven't minded, mostly because he puts it in his mouth when he wants it and he doesn't NEED it to go to sleep. He just seems to enjoy it. Plus he looks so darn content laying there all snuggly and sucking away. So my question is, "Do I pull the plug?" Literally? As I sit typing, he is in the jumperoo, jumping away and...sucking. I, who am desperate to finish pumping before they eat at 3, am allowing him to have his pacifier because it is keeping him content at the moment. So is this wrong? I don't want to be the mom with the two year old running around with a pacifier in his mouth but at the same time our schedule is not always glitch free and an added "hand" once in a while is a big help. So what do I do. I fear if he's allowed to have it at sleepytime, it will carry over into other parts of our day. However, is it wrong to let him enjoy having a pacifier at 8 months old? This seems like such a non-essential issue but yet can have long term affects (says the girl who had a blankie till she was 10!). Your thoughts?!
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9 comments:
Knowing you, I don't think you're in any danger of having two-year-olds running around with pacifiers. I say let them have a pacifier if it makes your life easier, you crazy girl! Twins are hard enough, and you worry about quite enough without adding this to the list! And pacifiers are much easier to take away than thumbs...All our friends who have let their kids have pacifiers had no trouble breaking the habit- just cut off the end and they don't want it anymore. Good luck!
Ok my dear, 2 thoughts on this. One, Ethan had a paci when he was a baby.. from birth he LOVED it. HAD to have it to go to bed. I agree with you, I don't like bigger kids walking around with them. I think it is silly. I also see nothing wrong with it when they are little. I took it away with the bottles at 1 year. Second thought. Ezekiel didn't START sucking his thumb until he was 16 months. He stoped when he gave up his blankie. It doesn't have to last forever just because you let them have them now. I don't think there is anything wrong with it as long as you keep it clean (thrush....) and as long as you remember just like with everything else, you are the boss... you decide when the thing stays and when it goes! :) You are a great mom! You will make the right choice for your precious bundles, whatever that choice may be!
Tania
I personally think that a pacifier up until at least 1 year of age is fine. I know that many habits are broken quite easily around the first birthday...for example transitioning from a bottle to a cup, etc. I think that if it is not in his mouth constantly then you are good! Sounds like you are already limiting it quite well. Jacob pretty much weaned himself of it at a year...now Joci loved her Paci until she was about 14-16 months but never out of the house or the bed for that matter. If you make the rules regarding the paci everything should be just fine! Let him indulge for the time being! He does look absolutley adorable!
Thats my 2cents!
Much Love,
Jen
Hey there sweetie - I'd be more worried about what cute costumes they will be wearing for Halloween. Love you Teresa
Sorry just one more thought.. He is teathing.. I bet it feels good to suck/chew on it.. he might just give it up after the teeth thing is done.. :)
dont stress over it. my boys went from pacifier to thumb to nothin all on their own. at the ages of 7 and 6 they still have a blankie but it stays in thier beds and is not allowed to come out. So if you want it to be a bedtime thing...that works! Oh and Court told me they dont have costumes...is this true?!?
To keep it short but sweet...pacify.
pacify
So your mother wasn't too far off base with her opinion, huh Sarah? Listen to your heart, take Jeremy's opinion into consideration all the time, and you will be the best parents you can be for these two sweet boys!! Relax and enjoy for as long as you can, cuz they aint little forever.
I love you,
Mom
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