Bink: BE GONE!

HoltFam3 has had quite the dilemma recently with the "bink" {also known as pacifier} & the littlest boy in our house.  Let me back up - - this is the 3rd time that we've had a crying boy during the wee hours of the night because he simply couldn't breathe & take the bink at the same time.  If his head/nose is full, he has to breathe through his mouth which can't happen if his bink is occupying that space. Thus, sleepless nights are born for both mom & babe.  A couple of weeks ago this happened for the 3rd time.  When I picked the Mr. up from the sitter's house she said that he had a "rough" nap with very little sleep.  I knew I was in for a long night. (Just to protect the hubs, I'm reminding you that he works 3rd shift :) Basically, I knew that it was TIME for the bink to be gone! I've said many times that the pacifier has been good to both Reddington & me.  He has taken it since birth only during naptime & bedtime.  From 6 weeks old on he got up only once a night to eat & by 3 months or so, he was sleeping through the night.  I owe this to the fabulous "bink."  It was his "comfort object" since birth & a 2 year "habit."  This boy has slept 10-12 hours straight per night for almost 2 years.  What 2 year habit isn't hard to break?  Thus, the break-up started!  Let me tell you, it was rough.  I would consider it similar, but not as difficult, as letting a baby "cry it out" as Ashley stated.  The first couple nights of nights Reddington knew something was missing but wasn't sure what it was.  I offered him his blanket, a little bear, etc to "replace" the bink.  Ha!  He did ok.  He would cry out in his sleep probably 4-5 times per night.  The first night I actually held him in our bed because then if he cried, I could soothe him without having to get up.  About 4:30 a.m. he sat straight up, said "Nigh-Night" & I put him in his crib.  I slept about 1.5 hours the entire night.  (I should say that straight from the beginning the sitter took the bink away. He didn't sleep as good during naptime but definitely better than he did his first couple of nights at home.)  By night #3 he KNEW what was missing & would say "bink" & point to his mouth/lips. Oh my word, that broke my heart.  I then picked him up & rocked him a little bit until he fell asleep (less than 5 minutes).  I did that nights #4 & #5 as well. Basically, I changed up our bedtime routine so that he had something else to think about (rock) instead of the pacifier.  I would say by night #6 he was good-to-go.  He actually slept through the night for the first time in over a week due to sickness/bink break-up.  I was one happy Mama when my alarm went off at 5:25 a.m. & I realized that we had both slept all night with no interruptions!  To be honest, we have not totally tossed the binks.  They're still in his room- in hiding- just in case ;)  He's doing fabulous & I'm so glad that the worst is over.  On to potty-training this SUMMER.  Now, that should be interesting - - -Stay tuned!