For the last 2 years, pacifiers have given us:
1. more sleep
2. less crying
Both are things which can NOT be underestimated. Especially with twins. Nicholas and Celia had a love affair with the pacifier. It didn't matter which brand or which size. If it fit in their mouth, they would use it. They rarely used them during the day, but by about 18 months (or maybe earlier) they were only allowed them at night time and nap time; unless mommy and daddy needed a break from whining.
I sucked my thumb until I was 8 years old (at night) and I fondly remember how calming that feeling is. So, I honestly had a hard time with this transition. Bottles were a little bit sad, but pacifiers was a big change from being a baby to me.
The only reason we did this now is because they were still waking up crying. I was needing to go in their room and search for a nuk in the middle of the night. With our next little baby on the way, I can't afford to be up looking for nuks and nursing at the same time. I'd be a zombie.
So this is what we did. For a couple weeks we talked about how pacifiers (nukies) are for babies. Then one day I took one nuk and I showed them how I could cut off the nipple with the scissors. They thought this was pretty neat. I showed them how the pacifier was broken. They tried to suck on it, but couldn't since it was snipped to the base.
So at night we sat on the floor together and reviewed that pacifiers are for babies. That they don't need pacifiers any more. And I helped the snip the nipples off all the pacifiers. It sounds extreme, but they were willing and I think this really helped. They saw them be cut and knew they were broken. We said 'bye' to the nukies.
When it was bed time poor Nicholas searched their room high and low for a nuk that may have escaped the scissors. When it was time for bed they asked for the nuks, but I showed them they were broken and they had holes now. Celia cried for a few minutes, but she did well. They both did well. That first night they both woke up one time and cried for their nuks, but I went in and reminded them. They weren't happy that first night and ended up crying to sleep. But, since that first night they have done very very well. We've been almost 1 week without nuks.
The only down falls are 1. they wake up 1 hour earlier 2. they wake up louder 3. naps have been shorter.
I'm hoping the above 3 down-falls are short-term adjustments.
Our little Nicholas and Celia are growing up! :(
Posts
Awwwww. Really cute post, but sad one. Hope they transition well. Hopefully they will totally be over it before the new baby comes home with a fixed one :-)
ReplyDeleteWe need to do this for Libby and part of me is sad to do it. But I know the longer we wait, the harder it will be. I like how you had them involved in the snipping. What a great idea! ;)
ReplyDeleteLove the pics Jill! too cute!
ReplyDeleteGlad they are transitioning well!!
This comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteThe way you write almost made me want to cry. As a teacher I know they no longer "need" the nuks, and they can be a detriment to their speaking. Glad you were strong enough to pull it off. You always explain everything so well to N & C.
ReplyDeleteThis made me want to cry too Jill. Love the last picture. I think I'll miss the bink more than Z&J. Thanks for the inspiration and taking the first step so I know what to expect! Glad its going well. N&C are troupers!
ReplyDeleteRIP pacifiers! I'm sure they will get back on their better napping and sleeping in schedule soon too. I bet it's just an adjustment they need to make. Cute collage you made :).
ReplyDeleteOh Jill, I remember those days! I remember Chris had a new cousin on the way so we packaged up his Nuks and took them out to the mailbox. Of course we didn't really send them, but he thought we did. He's never really bonded with that cousin (haha). Give those sweet ones a kiss from me.
ReplyDelete