I've created a small problem. I say small because if there really isn't anything I can do about it right now, it's not too big of a deal.

Let me start by saying I am sure Ian will NOT go off to college with a binky in his mouth :lol: . BUT, I don't really like that I've created a sleep prop with it. It started out months ago just trying to find something, ANYthing that would help soothe him during those horrible, long, colicky spells before the GERD diagnosis. Then we just sort of stayed with it because we found that if we let him fuss after going to bed, it was a sure bet that he'd spew all over ... and then we'd have a cranky, hungry, *messy*, tired baby! :o

We are now at the point where he needs the binky to fall asleep more than half the time. If we are in the car, or the stroller, or sometimes even in a carrier, he's fine with no binky. But if I lay him in bed... :shock: he needs it!

Should I try to let him fuss it out or will that just be too much for him? I hardly need to create more situations for him to get agitated :) , but I'm having a little Mommy guilt over creating the *need* for the sleep aid.

Is a binky a pacifier?? Here, we call them a dummy!! :shock:
ANyway, I say, let him have it. You never know, he may outgrow it. I know of a lot of babies who outgrew their paci's at around 8 months or so. Our boys have them, but it is only for bedtime and in extreme sitautions of distress if we are out. I can't stand looking at kids walking around the shopping mall that have one in their mouth as there seems little need for it. SOme babies reject the pacifier of their own accord. ANd, if worse comes to worse, when he hits 2 or 3 you can get him to give his paci to Santa Clause who can then give them on to little babies!! That works well, so I've been told.
Ahhhhhhh, the pacifier is great- anything for a bit of peace- and I need that with twins!!! But don't tell my mum- she hates the things!!!! LOLOLOLOL

D never used a pacifier because he never sucked on anything. However, we continue to rock him to sleep so he won't get so upset that he spews -- and puking is just so much worse when you've just bathed the baby and now you've got to change sheets and all.

Sometimes I just rock D a few minutes til he's calm, then put him in bed half asleep. Besides, now that he's a toddler, it's the only cuddle time I get. I know he won't always want us to do that, just like Ian won't always want a paci because he'll realize it's babyish. So maybe it's a bit of a bad habit, but it works for you, and it certainly won't last forever.

I wouldn't stress about it, Lucy. Ian is still so young and needs it for comfort. Evan (my GERDling) only used a soother a bit and completely refused it all of the time by 10 months. With Brandon (my healthy one), we took it away when he turned 2 yo. and went into a bed. If you really feel the need to get rid of the soother and feel that fussing and crying wouldn't cause vomiting, go for it. With Evan, we could never let him fuss and cry it out b/c of the risk of choking on his vomit. He'd vomit everytime he cried, so we had to rock him to sleep.

Alexys has a binky and I dont know what I'd/she'd do without it. She went from having it almost all the time when she was very small to now only needing it when she sleeps. My theory is if it comforts them then let them have it. It wont hurt him anyway, my ped said they arnt a problem until the PERMANENT teeth come in (although I'm sure there are people who will disagree on that point) and that is a looooooong way off. By then I'm sure he will be ready to give it up :wink:

I say let him have it! If it comforts him and gives you some piece, don't worry about it for now.

I think I have to go with the masses here, :D . Sleep is a big priority here.

I say let him have it while you can !!! I have 3 boys and when you have a kid that will take a binky it makes life so much easier!

We don't need a pacifier...but that's because Emily sucks her thumb ALL THE TIME.

I have decided that, in the grand scheme of things, who cares? So we get her braces when she's 12...our GI says sucking will often help kids who ruminate because it can help to keep the spit down and aid peristalsis.