For most of us, our first real breakup happens early in life.  When it’s time to say goodbye to our binky, things can get tricky.  While pacifiers are completely appropriate for helping to soothe your baby in times of distress, pediatric dentists do suggest limiting pacifier time once your baby reaches the two-year mark.  By age four, pediatric dentists suggest eliminating the pacifier all together.  Of course, this is easier said than done but experts have curated a list of tips and things to remember that help you make it through this rough patch as a parent.  

First, it’s important to really understand what the basic uses of a pacifier are.  Babies are born with an innate need to suck, and this need isn’t only for feeding but also acts as a way for the baby to soothe itself.  Infants actually have no other way to control their distress.  In many cases, if the baby is nursing more than 2 hours per day, doctors consider whether the baby is using the mother as a pacifier.

Next, understand there are pros to binkies but there are also certainly cons.  Pacifiers can definitely harm your baby’s teeth if they overuse them.  Pacifiers can cause overbites, open bites and cross-bite problems that will ultimately cause other types of mouth issues.  While they can cause dental problems, pacifiers are also associated with a reduced risk of sudden infant death syndrome.  As with most things in life, for every pro there is usually a con.  Doctors and childcare professionals tend to agree that while pacifiers can cause mouth issues and can be associated with ear infections, their pros do outweigh the cons and they are acceptable.

If you’re looking to get to rid of all pacifier use, there are multiple different methods.  Of course, what works for one child might not work for another.  It really is something that is determined on a case by case basis.  There is a three-day method that acts as a lead up.  On day one, you inform your child that they are ready to become a big boy or a big girl, but to do this they’ll have to get rid of their pacifiers.  On day two, reiterate this conversation, and on day three, gather up all the pacifiers.  If you don’t think your child is a good candidate for this approach, there is the gradual weaning process and cold turkey. 

Finally, just remember that either way this process probably won’t be easy.  You’re strong, your baby is strong and you will get through it together!