Pacifier: how can I wean my child completely off their pacifier
(4 recommendations)

The first question though is what does a pacifier represent for a child (and for the parents for that matter)? 

A pacifier is a very effective way to soothe, quiet and comfort a child. It gives them a warm sense of security and comfort. It can be considered as a transitional replacement object helping your child abandon thumb sucking. The problem though is that persistent thumb sucking can sometimes cause misalignment of your child’s permanent teeth and affect the jaw or the shape and roof of the mouth.

Many parents, even though they are aware of these harmful effects, often end up choosing a pacifier. Even parents who would have never imagined buying a pacifier for their child often end up giving in and buying one anyway because it’s a very effective way to sooth and comfort their child. “Managing” how long a child has a pacifier is much easier of course than trying to manage how long a child sucks his or her thumb.

Which are the risks of a pacifier on your child?  

The main problem is that a pacifier can confuse parents and cause problems for children. Here are some examples of the different situations that can arise.  

Prolonged pacifier use in toddlers
Certain toddlers and babies quickly adapt to the taste of a pacifier and because of this they don’t want to stop using it. It’s better to use a pacifier only at certain specific times of day. For example, just before laying down your baby to help calm and get them to sleep or if your baby  still needs comforting even when all of its basic needs have been met (feeding, drinking, sleeping and bathing). Sometimes, certain situations can even “justify” using a pacifier (but don’t let it become something you use all the time at the slightest thing). 

Difficulties in weaning off the pacifier as the child becomes older
Some children grow up having difficulty separating with their pacifier. It is not uncommon to come across toddlers that are still very attached to their pacifier. As a parent, you have to ask yourself, why does your child still depend on this transitional object. Does my child have some unmet need leaving them feeling insecure? Is this simply a bad habit that has developed over time which has now become ingrained?

A harmful impact on your child’s teeth
This is unfortunately an all-too-common consequence of pacifier use seen by dentists and doctors…Human beings were simply not designed to have an object in their mouths all the time. Some pacifiers even have a small strap so that the child can’t lose it (an additional source of stress for both child and parents). Unfortunately, the strap can in some instances exert a latent force on the child’s palate, which in some cases can cause teeth and jaw problems that need to be corrected later (more often through an orthodontic intervention). Furthermore, the strap indirectly encourages the child to use the pacifier more, as it’s always in plain sight and readily available.

How to gently wean off a pacifier?

It is very important to help your child gently wean off their pacifier as soon as it’s possible. But what does ‘as soon as possible’ actually mean? It is difficult to say. Parents often ask this question by the time their child starts nursery school. As dentists, we recommend that a child stop using all together their pacifier by their third birthday.  How do you go about this? Here are some tips and recommendations to help you along the way.   

Create appropriate ceremonies at special times
Leave the pacifier in a special place (in a box for example which is out of sight) and use it only at special times: at bedtime or when you child has a nap. This means not letting your child have access to their pacifier during their play periods. It is however a good idea to take it with you when you go you out so that you can give the pacifier to your child if need be. For example, if your child feels tired and needs a rest.

Withdraw gradually
Abruptly stopping using the pacifier will not produce the desired effect. It’s better to wean off the pacifier in stages, as your child grows. You can encourage and praise your child every time he or she takes another step towards moving away from using their pacifier. For example, telling your child how much you think he or she has grown up is an easy and effective way to support and encourage your child to continue the process.

Encourage the child throughout the process
This involves inventing special ceremonies and other creative ways to support them during this transition process. You could say to them that now would be a good time to let the tooth fairy or Father Christmas keep their pacifier. This is one way that tends to work well. You could also maybe suggest that you child gives their pacifier to their little brother or sister because now that they are big and grown up.

Purposely mess with the pacifier
If these techniques don’t work, or don’t work that well, you could always try making an incision in the pacifier to reduce the pleasure of suckling. Another way is to purposely “forget” the pacifier at home when you’re out and about. This might be slightly harder on the child, but remains effective and bear in mind you are only thinking of their future well-being.

When should I book a dental appointment for my child?

It is important not to neglect booking an appointment with your dentist. It’s a very good way to assess the child’s dental situation. A preventive approach is much better because more often than not only a small intervention is needed thus avoiding more major interventions at a later date.

If though your child is complaining or has pain, or discomfort in his or her jaw or teeth, it is important to make an appointment as quickly as possible. We will be able to make a full diagnosis and suggest various solutions. Similarly, if you notice anything that seems unusual, make an appointment with one of our specialist dentists as soon as possible.  

Finally, if you feel that your child wants to stop using their pacifier but in spite of numerous attempts it is still difficult for them, do come and pay us a visit. Our dentists are specialised in pedodontics (the branch of dentistry that deals with children’s teeth) and will give you further advice and if necessary, suggest a wide range of other tools to help your child stop using their pacifier.

In conclusion, we regularly meet parents who are concerned about their child’s pacifier use which is perfectly understandable. It is important however to keep things in perspective: using a pacifier is not at all as bad as it’s made out because it really does meet your child’s need for comfort. Nevertheless, it is something important to not neglect as it will be easier for your child to wean off their pacifier at a later stage. Please feel free to book an appointment with us to assess your situation.