The Magic Way to Get Rid of a Toddlers Pacifier

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Pacifier weaning is always something that scared me. My son has loved his pacifier ever since he was about 6 months old. I hated the idea of ending that relationship.

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We said we’d take it away from him when he turned 2, but I was 34 weeks pregnant when he turned 2. With Little Miss coming and everything going on, we figured it would be too much change all at once, so we waited.

We thought we’d do it when he turned 2.5, but we tried potty training and it failed. Little Miss was still getting up in the middle of the night, so we held off.

Then we promised we’d tackle it by the time he turned 3. Well his birthday passed, Little Miss’ first birthday passed, and we still hadn’t taken his binkie away.

We call it a B; it’s what he called it at about 10 months old and it was one of his first words. I share these things to show how attached he was, and how much I loved watching his attachment. I know it’s only an object, but it was adorable.

Around the time he was 2.5, we made his binkie a strictly sleepy time thing. He would only get it for nap time and bedtime.

We stopped giving it to him when we read books and got ready for bed. He could only have his binkie once we were all ready for bed.

But I had no idea how to get rid of a toddlers pacifier. We had talked about throwing it away and giving it to the trash man. Then I heard about Binka Bear.

How to Get Rid of a Toddlers Pacifier

To be truthful, I heard about Binka Bear around December, I think. It was a new product, just launching and wouldn’t be available until April. I didn’t preorder because I figured we’d have him weaned way before then.

As you already know, that’s not true. So at the end of March, right before they were set to ship, I preordered Binka Bear. Binka Bear arrived right before Easter at the end of April.

Binka Bear is a magical bear that gets his magic from binkies. You have your child place their binkie in Binka Bears paw, tie it up, and it gives the Bear his magic. Binka bear is the magical, cuddly way to get rid of a toddlers pacifier.

At first, Bugs was really excited about Binka Bear, but as I read the story and he started to connect the dots he got angry with Binka Bear.

Bugs yelled and threw Binka Bear on the floor and said he didn’t want him to be magic. We would talk about Binka Bear occasionally, but three weeks went by and we still hadn’t given up our binkies.

I was scared. I was scared he’d stop sleeping. To be honest, I was scared he’d hate me. I was just scared.

Finally, Getting Rid of a Toddlers Pacifier

But after talking to a few people, I decided it was time. So I casually mentioned one morning, maybe if we give Binka Bear your binkies he’ll bring you a toy. Would you like that?

Bugs was so excited!! So we went to Target and he chose the toys he would want Binka Bear to bring.

We went home and Bugs told Binka Bear all about the toys he wanted. He was genuinely excited. So I figured let’s do this!

He gave his B to Binka Bear on a Friday morning. You can see everything in the video below. He was so excited to give him his B.

He had asked for Binka Bear to bring him some treats. So Binka Bear gave him m&m’s and jelly beans as soon as he became magical.

He also brought him a couple toys and flew through our house! Bugs was confused between becoming magical and being a superhero.

Bugs asked for his B at nap time, but slept without it.

He ended up getting a 24 hour stomach flu on Friday night. One of the recommendations is to make sure your kids aren’t sick when you take away their pacifier.

I totally get it, I wouldn’t have planned it this way. Thankfully, him getting sick didn’t hinder us much.

He was definitely more emotional than usual, and I think the sickness made it harder for him to accept his binkie was gone. But it was fine.

Did Using Binka Bear Work to Get Rid of a Toddlers Pacifier

We’ve been binkie free for 3 months now! He’s only asked for it a couple of times. He doesn’t nap everyday, but I feel like his naps are finally leveling out.

The one thing that’s kind of funny is he totally dislikes Binka Bear. He’ll show Binka Bear love, but during bedtime or nap time he doesn’t want Binka Bear anywhere near him.

Binka Bear is actually in a drawer now, because anytime he sees Binka Bear he will try to get his binkie out. Even though he doesn’t ask for it at any other time.

Bugs is really mad that Binka Bear took his B away. It’s been helpful to me as a parent because when he asks for his binkie, I can say Binka Bear has it and won’t give it back because he doesn’t want to lose is magic.

I’m so thankful for Binka Bear because he’s the one that’s taking all the abuse. Bugs is mad at Binka Bear, but he’s not mad at me. He’ll throw Binka Bear, but wants to cuddle with me.

Why Binka Bear Works

I think that’s huge. Bugs isn’t one to get overly attached to stuffed animals, so I was nervous about using Binka Bear. I honestly didn’t think Binka Bear would work for us.

And then you’re probably thinking, well why did you use it then? Because I was hopeful. And I honestly didn’t really know how else to go about it.

Just throwing his binkie away seemed so cruel. This seemed like a way for him to still have it near him, if that’s what he wanted.

So I took a chance. And I’m so glad I did. And I would recommend Binka Bear to anyone looking to wean their kid from their pacifier.

I think Binka Bear worked because it gave him agency. He was able to chose to give up his binkie.

It made losing his binkie fun. We were able to give him some toys and treats and have Binka Bear do magical things.

It also gave him somewhere to put his emotions. He could be mad at Binka Bear. He could be angry and work through his emotions.

It allowed me not to be the bad guy, which I loved. And it gave me a way to take away his binkie in a loving way.

We never fought over his binkie being gone and it was easier for him to grasp that Binka Bear had it and wasn’t giving it back.

One tip is to be sure to tie up the binkie very tight. He has tried to get his binkie out on more than one occasion.

I hope that my experience helps you! Let me know if you decide to go this same route and if you have any questions. I’d love to be a resource to you as you go through this!