Q: How can I wean my almost 4-year-old with developmental delays from his pacifier?

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Question: My son is almost four years old and has some developmental delays (gross motor, speech, and feeding). He only uses his pacifier at night, but we're ready to wean him off it. His therapists have given us different ideas on how to approach this. I was considering the method where we 'plant' the pacifiers in the garden and they 'grow' into a toy the next day. What is the best way to handle this situation?

Answer: That sounds tough. I think the gradual method is a good idea, especially given your son's delays, as it might be less stressful for everyone. You could try either cutting the tip or using the Frida system. Your original idea to "plant the pacis for a toy" also sounds great for a 4-year-old because he can understand the trade... Since he only uses it at night, the transition might be a little smoother no matter which method you choose.

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