How did you get your kid to ditch the binky?

We tried the binky fairy thing with my daughter, and honestly, I was super nervous it would be this huge meltdown. But she actually got really into the idea - she picked out a special box for her pacifiers, and we talked about how the fairy would bring them to new babies who needed them. There were a couple rough nights, not gonna lie, but after that she just sort of moved on. I was so worried about her teeth too, but our dentist said as long as we stopped before age 3-ish, things would likely even out. Kids are surprisingly adaptable... sometimes I think us parents stress more than they do.

We did something similar with our grandson - told him he could trade his binky for a “big kid” toy. He was hesitant, but the excitement of picking out a toy helped. Had a couple cranky nights, but honestly, it was harder on us watching him struggle than it was for him. Funny how we worry about their teeth and habits, but they bounce back so fast. I still remember my own mom stressing about my thumb-sucking, and my teeth turned out just fine in the end...

Trading for a toy was our go-to, too. My daughter was super attached to her binky - honestly, I think I was more nervous about her teeth than she was about giving it up. I remember my own dentist making a big deal about pacifiers and thumb-sucking, but my teeth were fine except for a little overbite. Sometimes I wonder if we stress more than we need to, but those first few nights really do tug at your heart. Kids are way more resilient than we give them credit for, though.

I remember my own dentist making a big deal about pacifiers and thumb-sucking, but my teeth were fine except for a little overbite.

Haha, dentists love to warn us about binkies like they’re tiny plastic villains. I get it, though - overbites can sneak up. Still, you’re right, kids are tougher than we think, and a little drama at bedtime is probably worth it for healthy chompers. My kid traded his for a toy car and barely looked back... meanwhile, I was the one clutching the baby monitor all night.

Yeah, it’s wild how much hype dentists give the binky thing. I was a thumb-sucker forever and my teeth are mostly fine, just a little crooked. Kids are way more adaptable than we give 'em credit for. Trading for a toy car? Genius move.