Bye bye binky

Yesterday Zoey had little sores, like a tiny rash or cold sores on her chin.  Tanner said something to Zoey about them and asked them if they hurt. I don't think she had noticed them or knew they were there before he asked, but sensing his concern, she too was concerned. She said, "ow. Yeah it hurts dad." She has had these sores before and they went away after we put some petroleum jelly on them. Tanner told Zoey that he thought they were caused by her binky (or more precisely from her slobber when she sucks on it).

"I think we need to take a break from your binky for a few days to help your chin get better.  Do you want to try sleeping without your binky tonight?"  "Yeah!" She replied enthusiastically, to my surprise.  Later, when it was actually time for bed, I thought she would change her mind. But she was still up for the challenge. So the two of them went up to her bed together. Tanner was secretly armed with a binky in the case that she insisted she needed it, but he didn't end up using it. He said she did get sad when she laid down. And he did have to do some more convincing, but she put on her brave face and said in her shaky brave voice, "I not use binky." Probably followed by her hysterical laugh to keep from crying.

But after he left, she fell asleep like any normal night. And was quiet til morning. Could it be that easy?

She got her binky back the next day for her nap because she was so hyper and wiry and not close to sleepy at all. As soon as he slipped the binky in her mouth, she immediately put her head on his shoulder and cuddled. We decided she can use it for naps for now.  This was really just an experiment.

Night two and three without a binky have been successes as well. I'm so proud of her.