When to Stop Using a Pacifier and How
You made it to this page, which means like many of us mums, you have been frantically searching for articles on “When to stop using a pacifier ” and this blog will provide you with tips and tools to help you on your journey. Before we start I wanted to make you aware that a pacifier is also known as a dummy in the UK so wherever you are reading this, i hope you find this post useful.
What are the advantages of using a pacifier/dummy?
Many studies have suggested that pacifier usage can prevent SIDS (sudden infant death syndrome), although it is unclear why there is a dramatic reduction in SIDS some of the reasons could be;
- Pacifier use may prevent babies from rolling onto their faces which would reduce sleep-related infant deaths.
- Tongues may stay forward with pacifier use.
- A pacifier user may be less fidgety so less likely to pull blankets over their face making it a safe infant sleeping environment.
- Parents may check in on their baby more often if they have a pacifier.
Other advantages include;
- Sucking on a dummy/pacifier can help calm a baby
- A pacifier can help babies fall asleep.
- It can reduce pain during painful procedures.
- Helps baby soothe themselves to sleep.
- Less chance of thumb sucking.
- Helps with the sucking technique.
- Calmer nap time for babies and toddlers.
What are the disadvantages of using a pacifier?
There are also disadvantages of using a pacifier can be;
- There is more chance of your baby becoming ill due to the germs the pacifier can carry.
- There is often an increase in ear infections. Middle ear infections can be a common occurrence for babies that use a pacifier.
- It can affect baby teeth and permanent teeth too (adult teeth). Prolonged pacifier use can cause overbite, crossbite and open bite.
- Can affect speech development with prolonged pacifier use.
What is the pacifier habit?
For most children, pacifier usage becomes a habit and it is not recommended to just take the pacifier away because it will upset your child.
Stopping the pacifier habit can be difficult but together in this blog we are going to share some top tips to help you say bye-bye to the pacifier.
What is Pacifier Weaning?
Pacifier weaning is when you slowly reduce the pacifier usage over time so that your baby becomes less dependent on a pacifier for soothing.
How to Get Rid of The Pacifier
Pacifiers (otherwise known as dummies in the UK) have become a must-have item in over 50% of parents’ changing bags.
When to Start Pacifier Weaning?
Most experts believe that around a year old is the best time to wean your baby away from the pacifier habit
However, before you start weaning you must remember that this age is notorious for bugs, teething, and developmental leaps and with all these challenging situations you may find that your child goes beyond the recommended age of pacifier weaning. It is important that if your toddler goes beyond one year old, there are still lots of ways to painlessly and kindly transition away from pacifier use.
Step 1 – Limit the Pacifier use
Start thinking about limiting pacifier use now. You don’t have to do a cold turkey method, in fact we wouldn’t recommend going cold turkey with your baby at all.
You can start slowly, in your own time at your own pace. The first aim is to get to the stage where the pacifier is only available at bedtime and nap times.
Step 2 – Be Ready for some new and challenging situations
Remind yourself that this will not be a walk in the park (it could be if you are really lucky) However you decide to start breaking the pacifier habit, it is really important for toddlers especially that they know and understand what is happening and why.
Step 3 – Remind them how grown up they are
As parents, you will know that words are extremely powerful and most toddlers love the idea of being more grown-up. Remind them of how proud you are and how much of a big boy or big girl they are.
Step 4 – Stopping pacifiers is a great time to introduce new activities and toys
As your child grows so does their interest in new toys and games, have a new bag of little toys they can access when they are getting a little sad, and their mind will be distracted.
Step 5 – It is normal for them to feel sad
Any habit is hard to break and it is normal for your child to be sad and upset when giving up something they have always known.
Step 6 – Be Kind to yourself
Please remember that this journey will be tough for you too and you must remember that this is a phase and you will get through it.
Giving up Pacifiers is Different for Every Child
Giving up the pacifiers can be a different experience and you shouldn’t compare your child to another. For some children, they hand the pacifier over and never ask for it again and for most kids a pacifier is all they have ever known.
“Will my child ever sleep without a pacifier at bedtime?”
Yes, your child will sleep without a pacifier at bedtime and naptimes, the journey may not be easy but you will get there. If you find that your baby is fighting sleep, our article Why Does My Baby Fight Sleep, might be useful.
Crying and Emotions
Most children will cry and you may find that you have to navigate dealing with new emotions once your toddler has been weaned off the pacifier but this is normal and just another stage of parenting.
Carla is the founder of MyBump2Baby. Carla has a huge passion for linking together small businesses and growing families. Carla’s humorous, non-filtered honesty has won the hearts of thousands of parents throughout the UK.
She has previously written for the Metro and made appearances on BBC News, BBC 5 live, LBC etc. Carla is a finalist for Blogger of the Year award with Simply Ladies inc. Carla is also the host of the popular Fifty Shades of Motherhood podcast and The MyBump2Baby Expert podcast.
Leave a Reply
Want to join the discussion?Feel free to contribute!