The earlier a child can shake their sucking habit, the better! This is why the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry recommends reducing pacifier use and
Experts agree that pacifiers are entirely appropriate for soothing babies. Still, pediatric dentists recommend limiting pacifier time once a child is 2 and eliminating it by age 4 to avoid dental problems.
While most kids stop using pacifiers on their own between ages 2 and 4, others need help breaking the habit. Use praise when your child chooses not to use the pacifier. If your child has difficulty giving up the pacifier, consider asking your child's doctor or dentist for help.
Many dentists recommend discouraging pacifier use after age three. However, studies by the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry show that pacifier use increases the risk of ear infections and bite issues starting at 12-18 months of age.
The age guidelines take into account the size and hardness of the nipples and shields. For example a 0–2 month pacifier used by an older baby could cause the shield to be taken into the mouth. In case of this event do not panic, it cannot be swallowed and is designed to cope with such an event.
There's no perfect time to wean your baby off using a pacifier, but the consensus is that 1 year old is ideal, and 3 years is the absolute limit. Most infants will stop using a pacifier on their own by that time. The best thing to do is to speak to your pediatrician about your child's individual needs.
Prolonged pacifier use can cause speech sound disorders and a speech delay! They can also cause a reverse swallow and a tongue thrust. A tongue thrust is when the tongue protrudes between the front teeth during speech and swallowing, which is caused by an open bite.
A prolonged and frequent sucking habit may eventually cause crooked teeth or bite problems. The longer the habit continues, the more likely it is that your child will need orthodontic treatment in the future. Consequently, the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry recommends discouraging pacifier use after age three.
The main side effect of pacifier weaning will be disrupted sleep. You can expect the sleep schedule shake-up to last anywhere from a couple days to a week. The length of pacifier withdrawal depends on how reliant your baby was on their binky for soothing at bedtime.
Pacifier weaning methods for babies
It will take about 3 days to break the habit (sometimes sooner!) if you're consistent in your approach.
Babies like sucking on pacifiers because it reminds them of being in the womb. In fact, sucking is one of 5 womb sensations (known as the 5 S's) capable of triggering a baby's innate calming reflex.
Finally, you can take it away completely. Cut a hole in it. Cut off the tip of the pacifier or snip a hole in it so the pacifier no longer provides suction. Give your child the pacifier as usual — sucking on it won't be effective, so your child won't like it as much and will eventually stop using it.
In my Montessori training, we learned that babies should ideally not use a pacifier. So if you haven't started using one, then this is something to consider. A pacifier can be used to give the parent some quiet, when the child is actually trying to communicate their needs.
There are two main reasons you should replace your baby's pacifier, even if it's their favorite one. First, all binkies break down eventually. And second, using the same paci for months is unhygienic because this item goes into your baby's mouth.
If it becomes a problem, 3-4 months is a good age to ditch the pacifier, unless you're happy to ride it out for a few more months until your baby can put it back in themselves.
Pacifiers may increase your baby's risk for middle ear infections. The pacifier may cause middle ear infections. Middle ear infections, on the other hand, tend to be lowest during the baby's first 6 months—the time when your baby is liable to need the most sucking.
After six months of age, the natural sucking needs usually fade; however, many youngsters find comfort in utilizing a pacifier or thumb sucking. Most experts agree that thumb sucking and pacifier use are harmless until roughly four.
Children who used a pacifier all day long (ADL) at any follow-up showed an IQ 0.18 (95% confidence interval [CI] 0.11, 0.24) standard deviations below those who never used it ADL, after adjusting for confounders.
Pacifiers, also known as dummies or soothers, are often used to calm, pacify or soothe a fussy baby. Babies love to suck for comfort and security, as well as nutrition and a pacifier provides a bottle-fed baby with a substitute to frequent comfort sucking at the mother's breast.
A lot of children respond really well to adding a stuffed animal or lovey to their sleep environment as that new object to help them self soothe at bedtime and naptime. And if your child is feeling sad and missing their pacifier, you can encourage them to hold onto and cuddle their new stuffed animal or lovey.
Send your child to bed with his or her favorite blanket or teddy bear instead of a pacifier. Snuggling up with those special items offers them security and comfort throughout the night. Rock it out. The age-old technique of rocking your baby is another great way to eventually get rid of the pacifier.