The pacifier can be a lifesaver for neogenitors in the early days. Once it’s placed in the tiny (but incredibly noisy) mouth of a newborn, the screams and cries stop, and peace is restored. A miracle? Perhaps.

Unfortunately, all good things must come to an end, so the pacifier saga has to end at some point, too. When? Usually when your little one starts to grow up a bit and, instead of sucking it, begins to chew it and drool—a sign of excessive salivation.

As many parents have discovered, this is much easier said than done. If your preschooler is still reluctant to give up their Linus blanket, don’t despair: there are a myriad of tricks to make giving up the pacifier a little easier, both for you and your little one. Here are a few to try with constancy and with Oh well : yes, because it’s good for you to know that it probably won’t go well on the first try. What matters is not giving up!

Every child is different, and there is no guarantee that all these methods will work for everyone

Remove it slowly but steadily! What do you mean?

Just like any other addiction (physical or psychological), your child’s dependence on the pacifier is often best addressed by gradually taking it away, little by little. This can make the process a bit easier for both you and your child, even though it takes a little more time than other methods.

...o andate dritti al punto

The gentle method didn’t work? Switch to tougher measures. Simply remove the pacifier and don’t give it back. Stand your ground, and in a week or two (or maybe less!), you and your child will be free from the pacifier once and for all!

Tell him/her that he/she is grown up now.

Tell a little white lie that’s actually true: simply explain that pacifiers are for younger children and that, now that they’re grown, they’re in the perfect position to pass their pacifier on to someone who needs it more than they do.

Ask for help… from the elves

If you can’t take the pacifier away on your own, ask the magic helpers for support: elves, goblins, fairies… Tell your child that during the night they stopped by and took the pacifier because it was no longer needed. Together, prepare a thank-you note to leave out that night.

Start warning him.

Start preparing your child for the fact that you’ll soon be removing the pacifier. Usually, a one-week notice is sufficient as long as you continue to remind your child each day about the upcoming transition.

Bye bye pacifier, forever!

When your child grows up and no longer needs the pacifier as a calming aid, stop offering it. You can also limit its use to specific places at first—for example, only in the crib. If you’re lucky, they may forget about it for longer and longer stretches, gradually weaning themselves off the pacifier.

Limit the number of pacifiers at home

Many parents make the mistake of stockpiling pacifiers because they often get lost. Once your child is old enough to do without them (usually between 12 and 18 months), explain that you won’t be buying replacement pacifiers—so when the last one is lost, there won’t be any more.

The pacifier , especially during the first months of your baby’s life, can be a kind of emotional “cuddle” for them—comforting and calming, especially after separation from the mother’s breast, one of the moments when the baby feels this intense, emotional, and affectionate bond that they would never want to give up. However, according to experts, the pacifier can be a valuable ally in prevent SIDS (Sudden Infant Death Syndrome) )! In short, let’s not completely demonize the pacifier, because in the first months it can become a parent’s most faithful helper.

Do not force your child to give up the pacifier if it still ... for them. it's not the time , and often many children realize on their own when it’s time to let it go.