WORK WITH US
SheSpeaks
LOGIN JOIN NOW Why Join SheSpeaks
WORK WITH US
LOGIN JOIN NOW Why Join SheSpeaks

At what age should children be encouraged to "give up" a pacifier?

Did you need to encourage your child to give up their pacifier?  What worked for you and your child?

Under 2 years (65.3%)

2-3 years (19.8%)

3-5 years (2.4%)

6+ years (0.0%)

Age doesn't matter - the child should give up a pacifier when she/he is ready (4.5%)

N/A - Babies should never be given pacifiers in the first place (7.8%)

At what age should children be encouraged to
Share
32
  • Eheart3 By Eheart3
    on Mar 11, 2011  

    My kid never used a pacifier. Just like the only time I bottle feed was in the car or when my husband wanted bonding time with baby. My mid wife said that if u breast feed and switch to the bottle too much it will confuse baby. Plus I feel like giving your child a pacifier is just that to pacify them. Its only helpful to the parent not the child

  • butterflytouch By butterflytouch
    on Mar 11, 2011  

    I think the best thing to do is to try not to ever give one to the child. If you do than get rid of it as fast as you can before it starts leaving blisters on the lips and ruining the little ones teeth.

  • hnatalieann By hnatalieann
    on Mar 11, 2011  

    I saw between 2-3. The longer they use it the harder it is for them to give it up.

  • trina1975 By trina1975
    on Mar 11, 2011  

    I think it is up to the parent to make that decision. Personally we didn't use pacifiers but that was my choice and I will not judge anyone else for what they do with their children. Nothing more annoying than being ridiculed for your parenting styles / choices.

  • amanda_clc By amanda_clc
    on Mar 11, 2011  

    My mom had four children, and we never use them!!

  • skyseed By skyseed
    on Mar 11, 2011  

    They really don't need it, it's the parents that want them!

  • lpso379 By lpso379
    on Mar 12, 2011  

    Both of my kids were 10 months and under when I took them off. It was the best decision I could have made. It's horrible to see kids of school age still using them.

  • devilv2 By devilv2
    on Mar 12, 2011  

    I personally took the Pacifier away before the 6 months . I do believe after that they get attached . Neither of my kids missed it after they disappeared.

  • SpeakingForYou By SpeakingForYou
    on Mar 12, 2011  

    I think six months is a good age to stop using a pacifier. My daughter never missed it when we stopped using it at 6 months.

  • EdwinaMoorman By EdwinaMoorman
    on Mar 12, 2011  

    All 3 of my kids gave up bottles and pacifyers at around 9 months. By then, their "need" to suck is going away and after that it just becomes a "crutch" or dependency for them and for parents. This past week I saw a boy about 5 riding in the back of a shopping cart at Target with a pacifyer in his mouth. Made me just cringe.