To Binkie Or Not To Binkie
Thursday, January 11th, 2007
Kate Hudson was recently ridiculed for allowing her son, Ryder, 3, to continue to use a binkie. While three years does seem like a long time to be relying on a pacifier, who really cares? It’s her kid, so mind your own business, right? Is it harming us in any way that her son uses a pacifier?
Squid never took to the pacifier. I bought a few before he was born because I thought all babies used them. I was wrong. And, although I wanted to agree with those who claimed with strong conviction, “I just hate it when parents use pacifiers. It’s like telling your kid to shut up,” I soon realized I would be quite happy if Squid took one. Especially at 3 in the morning.
It never happened. I think, ultimately, it is a good thing that he never liked pacifiers because it’s one less thing we will eventually have to wean him off. I’ve heard parents say binkies were more of a pain than a cure since if it dropped from their baby’s mouth mid-sleep, their little one would cry out until it was replaced.
Long story short - Squid is now 9 months and still wakes up twice during the night. This morning, when he began crying before 5, we just let him wear himself out. Eventually, he did fall back asleep. If we could just do that for say, a week, perhaps he’d drop the habit. But it is so hard to lie there and hear him wail, especially in the middle of the night! Someone wiser, please help!
