When Should My Baby Stop Using A Pacifier? - BabyCenter

There are no hard-and-fast rules on when to take away the pacifier. The American Academy of PediatricsOpens a new window (AAP) recommends waiting until your child is at least 12 months old before you wean them from their binky. That's because pacifier use at nap time and bedtime lowers the risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS).

For many kids, their pacifier serves as a transitional object or lovey: It relieves stress and helps them cope with new or challenging situations, like starting daycare or even just going to sleep.

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If your child takes great comfort from their pacifier, you can let them keep using it longer than a year. Some children use a pacifier well into their toddler and even preschool years, and they typically stop on their own between the ages of 2 and 4.

Why to take away your baby's pacifier

Since there isn't a definite rule on when it's best to wean your baby off their pacifier, it can be hard to know when it's the right time. These are some factors to consider when deciding when to take your baby's binky.

• Pacifiers can make ear infections worse. If your child is prone to ear infections, ask their doctor if it's a good idea to banish the binky earlier (say between 6 and 12 months), because pacifier use may lead to fluid buildup in the middle ear, increasing the risk of ear infection. Regular pacifier use may also change the pressure in the throat and ears, making ear infections more painful.
• Prolonged pacifier use can impact your baby's teeth. Even though your child's first permanent teeth won't come in until they're about 6 years old, extended pacifier use during the toddler years can affect dental health. According to the American Academy of Pediatric DentistryOpens a new window (AAPD), pacifier use beyond 18 months can change how teeth bite together, change how the jaw is aligned, and possibly contribute to crooked teeth down the road.
• Prolonged pacifier use may also impact speech development. If your child often has a pacifier in their mouth, they may be less likely to babble and practice talking, or the pacifier may distort their speech. If you suspect a pacifier may be affecting your child's speech, try giving them the binky only to help them sleep.

How to take away your baby's pacifier

There are many ways to wean a child from a binky. The best way for you depends on your individual family circumstances, but here are some methods to consider.

• Go cold turkey. This method is like ripping off a bandage – painful at first, but over quickly. Your baby is likely to protest if you take the pacifier away suddenly, but may adapt within a few days.
• Gradually limit pacifier use. If cold turkey seems a little too sudden, try taking the pacifier away during the day and only offering it at naps and bedtime. Eventually you can phase out nighttime use as well by replacing the pacifier with another bedtime ritual, like singing lullabies or rubbing your child's back.
• Offer an alternative. It's common for babies and young children to form emotional attachments to pacifiers, but offering a "lovey" or comfort item can help with the transition away from the binky. You might try replacing the pacifier with a stuffed animal or a soft blanket for your little one to cuddle with. Just keep in mind this method isn't recommended for babies younger than a year old, since it isn't safe to have stuffed animals or blankets in their sleep space.

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