Are you trying to look for pacifier alternatives for toddlers because they’ve grown addicted to it? I know that feeling, it took a ton of time and patience getting my own toddler to use a pacifier substitute! While we’d like them to stay comfortable, using it as they want, there comes a time they have to stop.
But the question is: HOW can you get them to stop, and what’s the perfect pacifier replacement? There are many things you can try, but I wanted to list down only the effective ones, so I did my research and tests. Read on as I show you the top six easy and effective pacifier alternatives for toddlers to help you out.
Six Pacifier Alternatives For Toddlers
Think of it as a treat or bribe, encouraging your little one to stop the pacifier!
Instead of looking for a pacifier for 2-year-old, start weaning them off with the right things. Think of it as a treat or bribe, encouraging your little one to stop the pacifier! Here are the alternatives you can look into giving your little one:
1. Baby Dolls
This is one of the suitable pacifier replacement toys for daughters, but surprisingly, it works for boys, too! It’s very common to use a doll when your toddlers are 2-3 years old, especially when you give it right. You can also us an action figure OR imaginary friend if they have one.
It can take time until they allow it, but it works and teaches them a lot.
What I do is to allow my little one to have their baby doll use the pacifier instead of them. It can take time until they allow it, but it works and teaches them a lot.
First off, it teaches them more about sharing what they have to others, even if it’s a toy. Second, it positions your toddler as the “bigger kid,” who gives their pacifier up to take care of the baby. They’ll feel encouraged because of this “big kid” status put into them, which has them give up the pacifier completely.
2. New Blanket
We all know how difficult it gets to have your toddlers sleep at night, especially without a pacifier. If they’re accustomed to using a pacifier to lull them to sleep, then the harder it gets. If you’ve successfully reduced pacifier use throughout the day, you’ll need something to help for the night, too.
Allow them to pick their own blanket that has their favorite color or cartoon character, which they’ll love to use more!
After all, they see a pacifier as something that soothes and occupies the mind for sleeping. An alternative to that is a new blanket, which can do the same thing for their rest. Allow them to pick their own blanket that has their favorite color or cartoon character, which they’ll love to use more!
That way during bedtime, they’ll curl up with their blanket instead of the pacifier.
3. Sleeping Bag
This pacifier alternative works similarly to giving them a blanket, though you’re having them switch to sleeping bags. Allowing them to use a sleeping bag can encourage your toddler because they see this as a “big kid” thing. Plus, it’s pretty fun and you can make a night out of it by pretending you’re on a camping trip!
Hopefully, they’ll feel the excitement and say yes to the proposition, giving up the pacifier altogether.
When you have the chance, ask them if they want to use a sleeping bag as an alternative to the pacifier. Hopefully, they’ll feel the excitement and say yes to the proposition, giving up the pacifier altogether. It’s also best that you have them select their own sleeping bag and make the experience as fun as possible.
4. Nightlight
One of the reasons why your kid might keep the pacifier comes from their fear of the dark. A lot of toddlers and kids feel afraid of the dark since it’s the stage they have a vivid imagination. Because of their imaginations (and they don’t understand it isn’t real), they’re scared to stay alone, looking for their pacifiers.
It’ll give them comfort when falling asleep and give them new things to focus on other than the pacifier.
So if your little one doesn’t want to give up the pacifier for this particular reason, consider making a tradeoff. Ask if they can stop the pacifier in exchange for a nightlight or projector to keep the monsters away. It’ll give them comfort when falling asleep and give them new things to focus on other than the pacifier.
5. New Toys
If you can, you can skip all the methods I mentioned about calming your toddler down throughout the night. Instead, go straight to the point and bribe them with what they really want, which are toys!
However, you can make deals with older toddlers and kids and give a new toy after completing days without pacifiers.
Tell them that if they give up the pacifier, they can get a new toy as a reward for being a good kid. Make it a fun experience and take them to their favorite toy store, having them choose what they want.
Toddlers will need immediate payout of the deal and get what they want right away to stop the pacifier. However, you can make deals with older toddlers and kids and give a new toy after completing days without pacifiers.
6. Weaning Pacifier
Consider your kid’s age and wants as well when selecting the right wearing pacifier.
While weaning pacifiers are actually a hit or miss, it’s very effective if it works for your child. The weaning pacifier depends on kids, also the reason why they want to use the pacifier in the first place. Again, a hit or miss, though it usually works if you choose the right one.
Fortunately, there are many weaning pacifiers available online or in your local baby store. You can ask around for recommendations and ask experts on what particular product works best. Consider your kid’s age and wants as well when selecting the right wearing pacifier.
Wrapping It Up
I know how difficult it can get trying to give your little one pacifier alternatives. But with the right one, you’ll be able to wean them off and have them enter the next stage without it. All it takes is patience and good toys to get them more excited than a pacifier.
I hope this article on the different pacifier alternatives for babies and toddlers helped you out. So don’t wait any longer and start trying any of these six replacements now.
If you have any questions or want to share your own pacifier alternatives for toddlers, then comment below. Your thoughts are much appreciated!