Given a variety of names such as "binky," "plug" and "pacie," the pacifier is a topic of much debate. Whether to use it is one question. When to wean a child off it is another. This decision isn't just based on personal parenting beliefs. Using the bink too long can have negative consequences.
Starting the Pacifier
For the breastfed baby, the use of a pacifier is thought by some pediatric and breastfeeding experts to cause nipple confusion. Because of this, the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends waiting until breastfeeding is well-established or the baby is 1 month old. All babies are born with the instinct to suck. Breastfeeding and even bottle feeding may not soothe the infant's desire to suck. When this occurs, a pacifier may be the solution. Not all infants accept a pacifier the first time it is offered, and some never do. It may not seem like it, but a baby can be calmed using other means than a pacifier.
Look for Signs
Some infants wean themselves from a pacifier. During the early months of life, an infant may rarely be found without the pacifier in her mouth. As the baby ages, other things may soothe her, such as rocking, seeing more of her surroundings and simply adapting to life outside the womb. When other soothing attempts begin to work, the baby may require the pacifier less. Eliminating the pacifier at this time is surprisingly easy, but continuing to use it is perfectly fine. When many signs exist that the pacifier is less important to the baby, parents can interpret this as an indication that it is time to wean her from it.
Reducing Use
If your baby has been reducing his reliance on the pacifier, but giving it up entirely doesn't seem right, offering it less can prepare him for weaning in the future. Instead of popping the pacifier back in during sleep, leave it out. Withdraw the pacifier before placing your baby into bed. Choose times when the pacifier seems to be necessary and use it only then and at no other time. For example, offer the pacifier only in the car or crib. Seek other soothing solutions for all other times. For older infants or toddlers, eliminate any strings or pacifier chains. These encourage pacifier use. When your child does well with minimal pacifier use, it may indicate the child is ready to be weaned from it entirely.
Time for Weaning
MayoClinic.com suggests that most toddlers be weaned from the pacifier on their own between the age of 2 and 4. Dr. Alan Greene, of DrGreene.com, points out that weaning should occur by the age of 4 to prevent tooth and jaw development issues that can be permanent. Consistent use of the pacifier between the ages of 2 and 4 can affect the upper front teeth by causing some protrusion or an overbite. Language development can be slower for toddlers who use a pacifier consistently when they are awake. Children who are missing age-appropriate language milestones may quickly catch up by being weaned from the pacifier.
