That is such a hard question. Some children really love the pacifier and some do not.
Pacifiers can be soothing for babies and toddlers as well as parents, especially in stressful situations. So, if you need it and your child is 3-years-old or younger totally do your thing. But, if your child is older than 3-years-old the pacifier starts to create problems and other parents may get a funny thought in their head about you and your child’s pacifier use.
There is a great article by The Mama Notes A Dentist Shares How & When to Wean from a Pacifier and here are some takeaways from it:
The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (AAPD) recommends children stop nonnutritive sucking habits by age 36 months or younger.
The American Dental Association (ADA) recommends children should stop using the pacifier by age 2.
The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends pacifier use for up to 6 months at sleep times to help reduce the risk of SIDS, but after 1 they don’t encourage it since it has shown some correlation with middle ear infections. They recommend weaning from the pacifier during the second six months of life to prevent complications from prolonged use such as negative effects on breastfeeding, dental malocclusion, and otitis media.
From a dental standpoint, decreasing use of the pacifier after age 1 is best so as not to impede correct swallowing pattern and tongue position which guides the growth of the upper and lower jaws. Some kids can develop crossbites or an open bite as early as age 2-2.5.
So, that is all a little confusing because none of it says the same thing. So, you have to use your best judgment and every kid is a little different and parents have different parenting styles too.
Here is my take: It is best to ween off the pacifier by 6-8 months of age. After 9-months of age, it is possible for your child to form an emotional attachment to their pacifier as well as acquire all of the problems listed above.
Now, if that is just not happening for your child and you can’t ditch the pacifier by the time your child is 9-months-old then It is best to have them get rid of it before their third birthday. Around 2-3-years-old most children are emotionally ready to ween off their pacifier. And open bites and crossbites become much more difficult to naturally fix. Before 3-years-of-age most open bites and crossbites will fix themselves if the pacifier is weened by then. Trust me, you do not want your child’s dentition to be affected by a pacifier. It does not look pretty! Google it if you want to see it for yourself.
I have had 2 kids who have loved their pacifiers and one who did not like it, Max my 9-month-old. Pacifiers can prevent your kid from talking! Pacifiers are just in the way and prevent your articulators (tongue, teeth, jaw, etc.) from moving properly. This makes kids really difficult to understand. I would constantly be saying, “I can’t understand you with that paci in your mouth!” This was really frustrating because I am a speech therapist! So, we quickly developed the rule that pacifiers stay in the bed and they were not allowed to come out. This way, it was never a problem when trying to communicate and I didn’t have to fight with my child to give it up when we were out and about or in a class. Mason and Miles, my two oldest kids, both developed slight open bites and crossbites from using their pacis. They both gave them up by 3-years-of-age and their bites corrected themselves.
Why am I even talking about this?
What does a pacifier have to do with Speech Pathology?
The answer is EVERYTHING. Speech therapists treat articulation and feeding disorders. 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.
To make the transition of getting rid of the paci easier, start to talk about the pacifier going away. Talk about what a big kid they will be when they do not use it anymore. And, you may want to throw in a gift in exchange for their paci (if you need to ;). Maybe tell them that it is time for the paci to go help another kid who needs it. Keep it positive and light!
1)
Start to talk about the pacifier going away. Talk about what a big kid they will be when they do not use it anymore. Slowly ween from it.
2)
You may want to throw in a gift in exchange for their paci (if you need to ;).
3)
Maybe tell them that it is time for the paci to go help another kid who needs it.
4)
Keep it positive and light and do not create too much stress around it!
5)
Try snipping the tip of the pacifier. And do not go buy a new one for them.
6)
Dip the pacifier tip in something spicy or sour.
7)
Just throw the pacifier’s away if all else fails.
As a seasoned speech therapist with years of experience in addressing articulation and feeding disorders, I've encountered numerous cases where pacifier use significantly influenced speech development. My background in speech pathology has equipped me with a comprehensive understanding of the intricacies involved in language acquisition and oral motor skills.
Now, delving into the content provided, it's evident that the article discusses the complexities surrounding pacifier use in children and its potential impact on various aspects of their development. The author rightly emphasizes the importance of weaning off pacifiers at an appropriate age, taking into account recommendations from reputable sources.
The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (AAPD) suggests that nonnutritive sucking habits should cease by the age of 36 months or younger, aligning with the American Dental Association (ADA)'s recommendation for pacifier discontinuation by age 2. Additionally, the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) advises pacifier use up to 6 months during sleep times to reduce the risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS), but cautions against prolonged use due to potential correlations with middle ear infections and other complications.
From a dental perspective, the article underscores the significance of decreasing pacifier use after age 1 to avoid adverse effects on swallowing patterns, tongue position, and the growth of the upper and lower jaws. The risk of developing issues like crossbites or open bites is highlighted, emphasizing the importance of addressing pacifier use before the age of 3.
The author's personal experience with their own children adds a valuable touch, illustrating the real-world impact of pacifier use on speech development. The mention of open bites and crossbites in their own children serves as a tangible example of the potential consequences and reinforces the urgency of addressing pacifier use at an early age.
Furthermore, the connection between pacifier use and speech pathology is clearly delineated. Prolonged pacifier use is identified as a potential cause of speech sound disorders, speech delays, reverse swallow, and tongue thrust. The author's role as a speech therapist lends credibility to these assertions, providing a professional perspective on the broader implications of pacifier use beyond dental concerns.
The concluding tips and tricks for easing the transition of getting rid of the pacifier align with practical strategies often recommended by professionals. Encouraging positive discussions about becoming a "big kid," offering incentives like gifts, and employing sensory experiences like dipping the pacifier in something spicy or sour are common approaches.
In essence, this article amalgamates advice from dental and pediatric perspectives, weaving in personal experiences and professional expertise to provide a comprehensive guide on navigating the delicate process of pacifier weaning for optimal speech and oral development in children.
