Apparatus and method for pacifier withdrawal

摘要

An apparatus and method for pacifier withdrawal are disclosed. The apparatus comprises a plurality of successive pacifiers wherein each pacifier has a handle, a nipple connected to said handle, and a shield interposed between the handle and the nipple. Each successive pacifier has a nipple which is shorter in length than its predecessor. The invention may be practiced as a set of complete pacifiers, as a single pacifier with interchangeable nipples, or as a single pacifier having a nipple which retracts into the handle to shorten its exposed length. The method of using the pacifier withdrawal apparatus is to provide the infant with a first pacifier having a full length nipple and to allow the infant to use the first pacifier for a specified time period in order to become accustomed to it. The first pacifier is then withdrawn and replaced with a second pacifier having a nipple which is somewhat shorter than that of the first pacifier and the infant is allowed to use the second pacifier until he or she has become accustomed to the shorter nipple. The process of withdrawing the pacifier and replacing it with one having a shorter nipple is repeated until the infant has become accustomed to a final pacifier having a nipple with a minimal length. The final pacifier is then withdrawn without replacement.