Ask Dr. Mona

Illness can throw everything off, especially routines. It’s common for families to lean on screens during sick days to help their child rest and recharge. But once they’re feeling better, many kids keep asking for that screen time, because it became part of the day. Children often hold onto what feels familiar, especially when it brought them comfort during a tough stretch.

As you shift back to your usual routine, the pushback you’re seeing makes sense. Here are three tips to help ease the transition:

1. Hold the boundary, even when the protest is loud. Once you set the limit, try to follow through calmly and consistently, even if your child has a meltdown. That helps them learn what to expect and builds trust in your boundaries. You can validate their feelings: “I know you really want to watch right now. It’s hard when things change.” If you give in after a big reaction, it sends the message that persistence works. This newsletter breaks down that pattern and how to reset it.

2. Make screen time predictable, not negotiable. Decide when screen time fits into your day, maybe after snack or outdoor play, and stick to it. Predictability helps toddlers feel secure. If they ask outside that time, you can calmly say, “Not right now. We’ll watch after snack.” Over time, that consistent rhythm helps take the obsession out of it.

3. Focus on connection when they’re stuck. Sometimes it’s not really about the screen, it’s about the frustration of not getting what they expected. If your child seems stuck or spiraling, it can help to pause and offer connection: a cuddle, a calming activity, or just sitting with them. That moment of closeness can do more to settle the storm than trying to redirect right away.

And if you’re still figuring out what screen time balance looks like for your family, you’re not alone. In this PedsDocTalk YouTube video, I share tips to help you balance screen time in a way that supports healthy habits, clear boundaries, and family connection.

It’s great that you’re thinking about this now, especially since your child already uses the pacifier just for sleep and stressful moments. That puts you in a great position to start weaning when you’re ready. Around 18–24 months is often a natural time to begin, and there are a few different ways you can approach it depending on your child’s temperament and your comfort level.

Some parents start by limiting the pacifier to sleep only, if they haven’t already. Saying something like, “The paci stays in your crib. We’ll see it at bedtime,” can create a clear, consistent boundary that helps ease the transition. Others begin encouraging small “goodbyes,” like having their toddler hand over the pacifier after waking up. A simple routine of “You’re awake! Let’s give the paci back to the crib now” gives them a sense of control and helps build the habit of letting it go.

Cold turkey is also an option, especially if your child tends to adapt well to change. While there may be a few short-lived tears, many toddlers surprise us with how quickly they adjust. If they’re open to it, you can start offering the lovey as a replacement during those moments instead.

There’s no one “right” method. Some families plant the pacifier in a garden and replace it with a little surprise the next morning, or throw a simple “bye-bye paci” celebration to mark the change. Others take it slow and reduce access gradually. If you’re looking for more ideas or wondering what approach might fit your child, you can check out this PedsDocTalk blog post on pacifier weaning for tips and examples to guide you through it.

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