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Home › Articles › Guiding Baby's Development › How Old Is Too Old for the Pacifier?

How Old Is Too Old for the Pacifier?

Two Moms and an Expert Sound Off

By Lisa A. Goldstein

Pages:  1  2  3  4  

The older a child is when you try to stop pacifier use, the harder it is, so Dr. Kellams usually recommends some preventive strategies for pacifier use:

  • Use only for sleep in the 1-to-6-month age group.
  • Try other things first when Baby needs comfort at other times (like holding, rocking, distracting, singing or an attachment object).
  • Don't have Baby associate being upset with the need to suck.
  • Keep pacifiers out of sight except at sleep times.

    Usually with these strategies, Dr. Kellams says the child will tend to lose interest over time.

    Older children who are still regularly using pacifiers may develop problems with the alignment of their teeth and should be evaluated by a pediatric dentist by 12 to 18 months, Dr. Kellams says. By 3 or 4 years of age, parents may wish to pick a particular time or ceremony for giving up the pacifier, and the child can participate in the planning.

    Some ideas Dr. Kellams has include "giving" the pacifiers to a friend who has a new baby, or to the pacifier "fairy." They could even participate in choosing an alternative attachment object to replace it. "If you go this route, you've got to stick to it, and get them out of the house," Dr. Kellams says. They will miss it most during times of stress, and if you break down and give it, it will be even harder the next time."

    Pacifier Safety Issues

    Here are some safety issues, courtesy of Dr. Ann Kellams:

  • Never use a cord or string to tie the pacifier around the baby's neck.
  • Do not use "homemade" pacifiers or pacifiers with multiple pieces.
  • Do not use a plain bottle nipple.
  • Do not use pacifiers with liquid centers or that light up.
  • Do not coat the pacifier with sweets or put them in your own mouth.
  • Never use honey.
  • Rinse the pacifier after use or if it falls on the floor.


    • Pages:  1  2  3  4  

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    • Comments

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    Re: How Old Is Too Old for the Pacifier? by Traci on 10/06/2008 11:27PM

    I think pacifiers should be taken away by the first birthday. It drives me nuts seeing 2-, 3- and 4-year-old kids running around with one in their mouths. Sucking is a reflex in small babies, not toddlers and preschoolers. Enjoyed the article. Thought it was a very interesting debate on a common subject.

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