Pacifiers provide comfort for babies. However, they are temporary and must be stopped soon. When should a baby stop using a pacifier? How can you make the process smoother?
Pick the right time
Pacifiers help prevent sudden infant death syndrome. This is why you can allow your baby to use it for about six months. Also, do not try to take away the pacifier during major events such as the first day of daycare, or during a move.
Safe before two years of age
When your baby is under two years, she won’t suffer any damage. After two, using a pacifier can cause slanting teeth. Using it beyond four years of age cab mean serious dental issues.
It is safer to stop after one year
Using the pacifier for more than a year can affect proper language development of the child. This is because the baby may be less likely to try to make sounds. Also, the act of sucking can cause abnormal development of the lip muscles and tongue.
Work with everybody
Ensure that all the baby’s caregivers are aware of the plan to get rid of the pacifier. This helps pass the message clearly to the baby and prevents confusing the child. If you want to reduce pacifier use, pass the message on to all adults in the child’s life.
Replace the pacifier
After taking the pacifier away, you need to replace it. Find other ways to soothe the baby until it gets used to it.