Controversy swirls around whether pacifiers are good for infants and toddlers, but according to the American Academy of Pediatrics, pacifiers can be a beneficial tool for infants if used correctly. Most children stop using pacifiers voluntarily between 2 and 4 years of age, but some children won't let go of the pacifier without help. Weaning an infant or toddler from pacifier use is appropriate at any age you deem appropriate. However, parents often want to know at what age pacifier use is inappropriate for a child.
Pacifiers
Babies typically have such a strong sucking reflex that some suck their fingers while in the womb. For some babies, sucking is more than a mechanism for providing nutrition. Many parents find that pacifiers soothe and calm babies between feedings or while preparations are made for a feeding. Sucking helps some babies feel more content or fall asleep more easily. But if a parent chooses to give an infant a pacifier, there is usually some worry about when to wean her from it.
Weaning
FamilyDoctor.org recommends 6 months to 1 year as the best time to begin weaning a child from pacifier use. Also, children over 4 years old should not use pacifiers. Begin weaning with a 1-year-old by restricting pacifier use to the crib. Your pediatrician can help you determine the best time to end your child's pacifier use.
Infants and Toddlers
The downside of restricting pacifier use to the crib is that babies begin to associate the pacifier with sleeping, so this may make it more difficult for your child to fall asleep without the pacifier in the future. Use other ways, such as changing the baby's position or singing, to soothe your infant as you begin to limit pacifier use. Help her learn to fall asleep without the pacifier.
Older Children
A quick, clean break from the pacifier is best, especially for older children. For your 3- or 4-year-old child, choose a date and inform him that he will stop using the pacifier on that date. Explain that he is a big boy now and that it is time to give up his binky. Make plans for him to see an infant using a pacifier so that he associates pacifier use with babies. Remind him a few days before the stop date. On the stop date, collect his pacifiers in a plastic bag and remove them from the house. Expect that your child will have a few difficult nights as he gets used to falling asleep without his pacifier. Remind him that he does not use the pacifier anymore and help him learn to fall asleep on his own.
Considerations
If your child is prone to having ear infections, the age of 6 months is a good time to begin weaning from a pacifier. According to MayoClinic.com, pacifiers can increase a child's risk for middle ear infections. However, the rates of middle ear infections in children are lowest from birth to 6 months. A child who uses a pacifier for too long can have dental problems, such as protruding teeth. Pacifier use after children reach 1 year old can also delay speech. As an older child begins to attend preschool, peer pressure usually stops pacifier use.
References
- Healthy Children: Practical Pacifier Principles; Laura A. Jana, M.D., et al; August 2010
- MayoClinic.com: Pacifiers, Are They Good for Your Baby?; August 2009
- FamilyDoctor.org: Pacifiers, Benefits and Risks; October 2009
- Family Education: Weaning Off Pacifier; Shari Nethersole, M.D.
- Healthy Children: Pacifiers and Thumb Sucking; 2006
