Friday, November 30, 2012

Operation Bye Bye Binky

So, we did it.
It wasn't pretty.
But, it was a MUST because what we had was a hardcore binky addict. Ahhh-dic-ted. And, it was getting worse by the day minute.



For most of her 16 short months she has only used the binky at naptime, bedtime and an occasional long car or plane ride. But, in the last 30-45 days or so she learned how to ask and was asking more and more often. We knew that we needed to break her of the habit because it was only going to get harder. And, with her baby brother coming soon we figured it was as good a time as any.

We decided that the day after Thanksgiving would be a good day and it would teach her the true meaning of "Black Friday." Her morning began like any other breakfast, playing, and watching some toon-toons. She had her lunch and took her normal nap (with her binky).

That afternoon we decided it was time and snipped off the end of her favorite binky. It was risky but we were committed to the cause. When she came over and asked, by sticking out her hand and making sucking noises, we gave her the broken binky. She barely got it to her mouth when she realized that something wasn't right. She looked at us and gave us her best "WTH?" look and we simply said "Sorry, it's broken." She didn't want it and pushed it away.

She wasn't happy with us AT ALL. In fact, I'm pretty sure that she was didn't even like us. She asked a couple more times and we gave her the binky and all we said was "Sorry, it's broken" and she continued to push it away. That afternoon really wasn't too bad...until bedtime.

I have to say that we are very lucky to have a pretty low-key kiddo. She doesn't cry too much and her 'fits' usually consist of her lying on the floor in silence for a few seconds before she gets up and goes on about her business. BUT, that night she fought like it was her JOB. At first, she was angry and her crying was fierce. Then, she was sad and her crying was pitiful. And then, she fell asleep. It was the longest half hour of my life. Thank goodness I'm staying at my parents since the hubs is traveling or I'm not sure I would have been strong enough to make it through.

She cried until she passed out, and she slept for a good hour or so. Then she woke up and wanted it again and her poor little eyes were swollen and red and I was a mess. She cried a little more and fell back asleep.

It's been a full week and every nap and bedtime since has become easier and easier and she's actually falling asleep with little to no crying at all. I can say with confidence that we are over the hump and she has been binky free for a WHOLE week. We are so proud of her and thankful for my tough and experienced mother for making sure that we didn't cave stuck it out.

This post has been linked up at:

  Raising Imperfection

30 comments:

  1. Good for you! We are making my sons both give up binkies this Christmas. We have been telling my older son (2) that Santa comes and takes the binkies and gives them to new babies who need them. I hope it works because I am a sucker and I will probably cave.

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    1. Well, all I can say is GOOD LUCK! It's a tough one! Stay strong, and don't give up. That's what kept me going is knowing that if I gave in that we'd just have to do it all over again. It's so hard to see her sad but I knew it was for the best! I love your Santa idea! Very creative! I'd love to hear how it goes!

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    2. I'm pretty sure if I used the "Santa" line on my kids they would hate Santa forever. Which wouldn't be a bad thing, probably. :)

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    3. Taara--I actually had the same thought, but better him than me! Seriously though, after the fight the first night I thought for sure she was going to hate me in the morning. BUT, she surprised me with a tight hug and lots of kisses . Kids are funny like that! :)

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  2. We had a hard time letting go at my house too. Finally JDaniel had chewed holes in all of them.

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    1. Good for you! Isn't it great to be binky-free? No more anxiety when you realize that you've left home without it or can't find it! Have a great weekend!

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  3. My youngest is a binky fanatic and I am sooo not looking forward to weaning her off. Congrats on getting through the first week! =)

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  4. I refused to use pacifiers with my daughter because I was a hardcore addict. My mother would tell me stories that would make me cringe as a mother-to-be and I kindly refused pacifiers for my own daughter. I'm happy to hear it worked out for your family in the long run. Here's to a happy baby in the future!

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  5. This is always a tough subject for some parents. I see three year olds that are still addicted to their pacifiers.
    I took Reagan's from her at six months old.
    You did it ~ you got through the first week! It'll get easier.

    Lanaya
    www.raising-reagan.com

    Would love to have you come link up with Raising Imperfection today if you haven't already! :)

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    1. Thanks, Lanaya! I just linked up, thanks for the reminder! Have a great week!

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  6. As a Momma of a child who sucked her thumb and not a passy, I wish we would have had the pacifier from the start. She didn't stop the thumb sucking (you can't really take that away from them) until she was 10 and had a tongue cage with her braces. Good for you breaking the habit early. Found you from Bloggy Moms.

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    1. Wow, you really had a dedicated little girl! :) So happy you stopped by, I'm heading over to visit you now!

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  7. My little loves her pacifier or nene is what we call it. She is 8 months old and I have regulated it to just in her crib and car rides for now. She was using it constantly even when she didn't need it, so I think we will go this way for awhile.

    Thank you for linking up to Raising Imperfection
    Leslie

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    1. Thanks for stopping by, Leslie! It's such a tough thing--especially when they look so dang cute with them! :) Have a wonderful week!

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  8. Hi there, I'm Hanna. I found you through the Sunday Blog Hop!! I am your newest follower. I love making new friends. Your blog is lovely!!! Happy Holidays:) You can find me at www.bouffeebambini.blogspot.com

    xoxoxoo Hanna

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    1. Thanks for stopping by, Hanna! I'm heading over to your blog now! Have a great week!

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  9. Good job momma! I had a really hard time getting the paci away from Kevin. I. Caved. Everytime. LOL When he was 18 months a girlfriend of mine had a baby, and we tried the whole "you're a big boy, and the baby needs the paci more than you do" bit. Nope, it worked for about 5 minutes. I ended up just tossing them out so he couldn't have it and I couldn't cave! I was lucky with Ayden and Brantley...neither of them would ever take a paci. EVER. LOL :)

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    1. They're stubborn little buggers, aren't they? It's a tough battle but necessary. She's 2 weeks 'clean'..hahaha so I think we're good! :)

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  10. Nice work! Way to tough it out! I'm weaning Jonah from nursing FINALLY at the moment and man it has been hard not to cave. He is pretty P.O.ed at me right now!

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    1. Thanks, Jenny! Keep it up, you're doing great!

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  11. So excited you linked this post!!

    Thanks for linking your favorite post to Raising Imperfection.
    Please come back Friday to see if you were featured.

    Lanaya
    www.raising-reagan.com

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  12. Oh no! Good luck!! I've heard some stories about how I used to be a binky addict too!

    Thanks so much for stopping by and linking up with us! Your family is so cute! Happy to be following along now!

    ♥Nicole @ Me + the Moon

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    1. Thanks for stopping by Nicole! Have a great week!

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  13. Aww! You and your family are beautiful! Neither of my boys would ever take a binky...it's hard when they consequently use you as a pacifier but I am grateful that I don't have to do any "breaking"/weaning.

    Thanks for stopping by via the Raising Imperfection hop!
    ~Elisabeth@The Beekeeper's Granddaughter
    www.elisabethferre.com

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    1. Thank you for stopping by! Your boys are adorable! I'm looking forward to following your blog and family adventures. Have a great week!

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  14. We went through this with my son and it was so, so hard! Sounds like you are on the right path and making progress at least! Thanks for linking up with the #MTMmixer :)
    Meredith
    www.themomoftheyear.net

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  15. Ouch, being a good Mom hurts the heart once in a while. We went through a similar situation when it was time to cut the bottle from our toddler son. He really didn't like us, but we love him, so we did it!

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