When is it Time to Stop Using a Pacifier?
August 13, 2023
As a new parent, you may often find yourself questioning what’s best for your child. A pacifier, for example, is a comfort tool that your baby can use to soothe themselves. While it may seem difficult to part from their beloved item, it is essential for your baby’s optimal growth and development.
Why do babies use a pacifier?
There are many reasons why babies use pacifiers. According to the Mayo Clinic, babies are born with a strong sucking reflex. Some babies even suck their thumb or fingers before they are born. This reflex helps them eat and obtain proper nutrition. A pacifier can help reduce stress. Because of the sucking reflex, a pacifier serves as a soothing mechanism for the child and can offer temporary distraction, such as during shots, blood tests, or other procedures.
What can happen if your child uses a pacifier for too long?
When overused or used for too many months, pacifiers can have damaging effects. Prolonged use can lead to dental issues. The presence of a foreign object in the teeth area can cause teeth to grow misaligned. In addition, strong sucking can have lasting impacts on the jaw shape and palate.
Also, creating a habit of using a pacifier can lead to dependency. The dependency can hinder the child’s ability to cope independently. Such dependence can cause sleep disruptions. If a child’s pacifier falls out while they are sleeping, the child will wake up and require assistance putting the pacifier back in their mouth, which can impact sleeping patterns.
Ear infections are another possible outcome if a pacifier is used for an extended period. The National Library of Medicine indicates in their studies that pacifiers increase the risk of ear infections.
When should your child stop using a pacifier?
The risks of using a pacifier begin to outweigh the benefits as your baby gets older. Some babies will stop using their pacifier by themselves. The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry recommends weaning from pacifiers by age 3. To reduce the risk of ear infection, American Family Physicians recommends reducing pacifier use in the second six months of life.
How should I break the habit of using a pacifier?
Here are some ways to break your baby’s habit of using a pacifier according to Baby Center.
- Limit the pacifier’s use by restricting it to certain times, such as during bedtime, or to certain places, like in their crib.
- Use positive reinforcement. Praise your child when they do not use their pacifier instead of scolding them for when they do use it.
- Just stop using it. If you think this is the best approach, take the pacifier away completely.
- Provide options. Instead of using the pacifier for comfort and soothing, offer toys or a blanket to provide the same reassurance.
Your baby’s pediatrician or family medicine provider can help guide you about when and how to wean your baby from a pacifier.
Resources
If you are looking for a doctor to be your partner in your baby’s health, St. Mary’s can help.