Two days ago we gave my 2 year old's binkies to the "Binky Bug" to deliver to all the sad babies without. Set up a calendar he loved to count the days off before the big day, got a gift he can sleep with and loves (Thomas pillow), and we've reminded him how proud we are of him and how great he's doing. He totally understood what was going on and did so well with it all and looked forward to the day. no problem putting binkies in mailbox to mail them! First night only screamed 10 minutes but in my arms and it was more of a sad hurt and not a demanding to have his binkies. then he wanted to be in bed with me and i figured the first night at least will be ok. fell asleep and i took him to his bed 30 minutes later no problem. Didn't wake except a little at 3 a.m. but he didn't call for binkies or anything. nap next day he didn't cry but talked and played his entire 2 hour nap time.in his crib and he never does that - is a great napper. he then wanted "out!" and i had to hold and rock a little to get him to sleep - put in crib and he slept at least a little. last night i had to hold him and rock him a lot and he kept waking when i would try to put in crib. but he finally went down when i gave him drink of milk and cuddled more and he slept all night. today's nap he was so worn out he fell asleep in crib really fast while i rubbed his head and didn't ask for my bed or play. but i think he was just over tired.
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it seems it's getting better but just in case tonight is back to being emotional I want to know if anyone else had this experience. i've heard stories of 2-3 days of screaming so i know we are very lucky it's going so well. but we seem to have the opposite - he needs to relearn how to settle and put himself to sleep. i dont' want to substitute one crutch with another (milk - the point of giving up binky is to protect teeth! or sleeping outside his crib, etc.) but i want to help him through the transition in the most loving way. Â
just a side note, we don't co-sleep anymore for many reasons that can't change so that's not an option. so i don't want to start a discussion on the pros/cons of it b/c it's not an option for us.
