The pacifier is a vital and amazing parenting tool. It soothes babies when they're cranky, keeps them calm during car rides, and distracts them during sometimes daunting public outings like grocery shopping. It gives your nipples or arms a much-needed break from nursing or holding your baby when they need comforting. It also gives your little one the ability to drift off to sleep in their crib without a ton of help from you.
While you never knew you could cherish such a small object so much, you also probably never knew how much stress it could cause you once you decide to take it away in order to help your kid's speech and teeth development. There will be tears, drama, and sleepless nights (again!), but it is possible to pull off. Here are five tips to make the transition as smooth as possible to keep you and your baby sane. Don't give up!