At this point, solid food is a major portion of your toddler’s diet. Sippy cups begin to replace bottles, and milk replaces formula or breast milk. Sucking beings to lose some of its appeal. Teeth are also coming in at a faster pace, though this varies from child to child. This is a great time to being replacing the pacifier with another toy at naptime. For example, pacifiers provide little comfort for a teething child unless the child stops sucking on the pacifier and starts chewing on it. Since the teething process is difficult for child and parent alike, you might as well use teething to your advantage. When your child is awake, give them something to chew on (anything from a teething ring to a frozen waffle will work). When it is naptime, replace the pacifier with some sort of swallow-proof toy that your child can still gnaw at (my wife and I used a key ring with several teething toys on it). Make sure that you wait until your child is strong enough to remove items that might cover their mouth before you try this step.
Since your child is focusing on so many new and wonderful things at this point, it is a great time for them to “forget” that they have a pacifier. Do not leave a single pacifier in plain sight. If your child still wants one, try to rotate in another toy. If all else fails, give the child a pacifier. However, the minute it comes out of their mouth, it should be returned to the hidden location. Before long, your child will begin to forget that there are pacifiers around in the first place. On car trips, when your child is locked into a safety seat, provide him with toys that are within reach. Once again, it is important to remain patient. It is often easier to give in than to hear your child cry. Keep in mind, however, that pacifiers are as much for parents as they are for children. If you can learn to cope with some crying, it will help your child become pacifier free much earlier.