Mouth Plugs

Paci, binky, dummy, noo-noo, plug....whatever you call it, they suck!

When I was pregnant with my first son, I always said I would never use a paci. I worked for a pediatric dentist and just knew the need for orthodontia would be greatly increased by extended paci use. No siree, I was going to provide for my child's every need. What little boy wouldn't be content suckling on his mother's breast instead of a plastic replica? Well, after nursing for 20 out of the first 24 hours, he was plugged before we even left the hospital. Now, I must say, he was not really a paci baby (a distinction I have only come to realize after having a true "paci baby"). We dutifully took away the paci at 12 months, and he seemed not to notice. What a nice little mother's helper it was.

Number 2 was (and is) a finger sucker. She sucks those things like she is convinced they'll give milk if she keeps trying. I was so tickled when she was a baby, and I realized I wouldn't have to use the paci. Of course, at 3 1/2 and no intention of stopping the finger sucking, we've started a new money market account to cover her dental bills.

Then along came baby 3. He is the angel. He's quiet and passive and sweet. He was so quiet that when he was a newborn, if I turned up the radio, I couldn't even hear him wailing in the backseat of the car. They stop eventually, right? He, however, was the quintessential paci baby. He actually seemed to prefer the paci to me...hmmm. And not just any paci; he wanted the big green Soothie. I've been told they're the kind that the hospitals give to newborns now (the last 2 were birthed at home), but man are they ugly. These suckers (ha) are half the size of a newborns face, with a hole in the middle that makes their tiny little mouth form into an unatural O. He would look like he was trying to scream "get this thing OOOut", but of course when I did, he would just scream more.

Now I never intended to be the kind of mom who lets their 2 year old walk around with a paci; having to take it out to be understood. I always hated that in other kids. In my Sunday school class (nursery to 3s), I would be the teacher who always told the kids "you don't need that paci, let's put it away," convincing myself that I was really making a difference in the child's psyche (and future dental bills). Of course, I'm sure they popped it back in as soon as class was over. But with my youngest, now 21 months, I just couldn't take it away at 1 year. He loved his paci. He hoarded them. I would always try to keep a few extra on hand, and some days I would find him holding 3 or 4, switching them from mouth to hand as if to make sure each paci felt the love. Plus, he went from 2 teeth at his first birthday to 16 teeth by 15 months. Those were some miserable months, and the paci was a saviour. But last week, after realizing that our lives had been relegated to a never-ending search for the paci, we decided to get rid of them.

I rounded up as many of the suckers as I could find and had C help me put them in the trash. Right away, he started crying and trying to take them back out. Now, I must admit, I had them in a little plastic bag, and I did take them out after he went upstairs. Matter-of-fact, they are sitting on top of the fridge tempting me as I write. The first night was hell. He woke up every hour and I had no boob or paci to comfort him. The last few nights were better. I live in fear, however, of him finding the elusive paci hiding under the couch.

It's amazing, though, the changes in the last 4 days. He has learned about 10 new words (and thsi from a child who didn't even say "mom" until 20 months). Coincidence? He's also been watching big sis and has tried sucking his fingers a few times. He doesn't seem to have taken to it, however. It may be his fingers taste bad. Of course, it may be my coming at him full force with a cry of "NOOOO, WE CAN'T AFFORD MORE BRACES!!!!" that discourages him.

Regardless, we are now a paci free family. If we have more, will I plug him/her? Who can tell, but I'll never again look down upon the mom who pops the paci back into her baby's mouth after sucking it clean herself.