Last Friday afternoon, Camille said "Night-Night" to her beloved pacifiers. She did it with a smile and the first three days were a breeze. She never once asked for them and did not seem phased in the slightest bit.
I know what you're thinking. So that's it? She just happily threw them away without a care in the world?
Yes, and no.
The day before I had purchased a large doll house for dirt cheap off a local mom's site, thinking I would just surprise Camille with it for fun. Friday afternoon we picked up Clara from school, then headed to pick up the dollhouse from the sellers. Camille saw us loading it into the back of the car so naturally, as we were driving away she exclaimed, "Mama, a dollhouse for me?? I play it at home??"
And then it hit me. I am using this doll house as paci-elimination motivation.
"Well, this is a big girl dollhouse! If you are ready to be a big girl and play with a big girl dollhouse, then you will need to say bye-bye to your pacis and throw them away when we get home. If you're not ready to say bye-bye to your pacis, that is okay! The dollhouse can just stay in the garage until you're ready."
"Mama I ready, I ready! Bye-Bye paci!"
So yes, I bribed her. And it seemed to work. #momoftheyear
But, you might notice I said the first three days went well.
Well, now things are not going well.
Think LOTS of crying at bedtime and several middle of the night wakings. Last night she was up from 2-4:30am crying and "scared." She does the same thing at bedtime now, too. She cries saying she is scared and the process to get her to fall asleep is quite complicated.
We are a bit stumped as this girl has never had issues going to bed or sleeping well. She has ALWAYS been eager to get in her bed and loves "night-night" time.
We are praying this is just a phase and adjustment period, and that things will settle down quickly.
Anyone have any tips to share? How long will the crazy last? Please share your wisdom in the comments. . . cause this mama of a paci-less toddler is tired.
Yay Camille! And that dollhouse is super cute. When we took Parker's away, he had a rough time learning how to fall asleep without it, but after a couple of weeks (I know!) he adjusted. I know, I know... Maybe let her pick something to keep her company at night?
ReplyDeleteYay Camille! And that dollhouse is super cute. When we took Parker's away, he had a rough time learning how to fall asleep without it, but after a couple of weeks (I know!) he adjusted. I know, I know... Maybe let her pick something to keep her company at night?
ReplyDeleteI'm just catching up after a (way too) long hiatus!!!
ReplyDeleteWhen we took Ellie's beloved pacifier away the first day or two went unbelievably well. And then we had kind of a rough time with naps an bedtime for about a week, if I recall correctly. One thing that helped her tremendously: finding another comfort item for her to sleep with. When she gave up the paci she got to pick out a new stuffed animal, which she loved and ended up sleeping with.
Also, the "Playskool Lullaby Gloworm" has helped both our girlies work through some nighttime fears.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00DUQBTS8/ref=pd_lpo_sbs_dp_ss_1?pf_rd_p=1944687702&pf_rd_s=lpo-top-stripe-1&pf_rd_t=201&pf_rd_i=B00DUQBTW4&pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_r=030D45NJRRWDMDHZ4WX7
Boo! I was really hoping that it would continue to be a non-event :( But as you know, this new phase is only temporary and won't last forever! Ditto on finding another comfort item to sleep with (though I know she already gets to pick 3 things). Maybe you could try some kind of reward if she makes it the whole night without crying/waking you up, like a special outing or something?
ReplyDeleteLily never took a pacifier, but she did do the "scared" thing at bed. Is she scared of something specific? Lily cried about being scared of monsters. She was also having night terrors fairly often (unrelated to the monster thing), so I got an oil diffuser and started diffusing lavender oil in her room at night to help calm her and get better sleep. We call it her Monster Spray, so it's multi purpose!
ReplyDeleteLove that! She can't tell me why she is scared. She is asking we keep the lamp on though. I ordered the glowworm that Jess suggested, and we also went to the store and had Camille pick out a night light. Last night was better and just now, for nap, she didn't cry at all, so progress!
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