| A
female
,
anonymous
writes: At what age should a baby be weaned off her pacifier? Is there any harm in leaving her on it too long? Any advice from mom's who've been through this? Reply to this Question |
Add your answer to this question! A
female
reader, anonymous, writes (7 July 2006): My son is three, and has just given up his dummy.[blush!]
We finally cracked it by slowly restricting it's use to bedtime only, and then one night we just told our son [kindly, of course] that he was a big boy now, and that dummies were for babies. He agreed with us, thankfully, and has settled without one well.
If it's a problem, don't worry, just wait until he's old enough to understand the words you say to him.
At the moment, it's very fashionable to keep pushing a child on to the next stage, but should they not have their comforts as we have our chocolate and our wine and our cigarettes?? I don't think they do any harm if you are scrupulously hygienic, so don't worry. He'll give up when he's ready, along with a little help from you.
A
female
reader, Irish49  + ♥, writes (6 July 2006):
 Usually a lot of Mom's will gradually restrict pacifier use around 6 months of age and up. Most Mom's usually find that by 1 year of age, their baby has given it up. But this is not always the case. Because babies have that natural sucking reflex ...bottles and pacifiers are of great comfort for them. Some kids like to hang on to that sense of comfort and security, with a vengenance. In my career, I have worked with many children and confer with Mothers on issues like this all the time. They all say, that when their child is distressed, it's very easy to just 'give in' and let them have the pacifier. Eyeswideopen is correct when she says, pacifiers can cause speech problems and ear infections. I encourage Mom's to be strong about getting kids of pacifiers..because 'pacifier use' can lead to inhibited speech development in older toddlers and chronic ear infections. When a toddler is older and is using a pacifier, it gets dragged all over the house. Sometimes near places where bacteria is. The infections can occur because the bacteria can get into the Eustachian tubes (the narrow channels that run between the ears and the throat). I tell young Mothers that if their child is using a pacifier please make absolutely sure, the pacifiers are thoroughly cleaned and sterilized weekly or every few days. I recommend you wean your baby off her pacifier, slowly and in steps. Firstly, restrict it to day naps/nightime for a few weeks, then you restrict it only to nighttime sleeps, only. Start removing the pacifier when your child falls asleep. This ensures that she is not expecting it there on waking and can't become dependent on it to settle back to sleep again. You are teaching her that she can sleep all night without the pacifier and she's on her way to becoming an independent night time sleeper. And the bonus...Mom gets a good night's sleep, as well! Lol Good luck, hun
...............................
A
female
reader, sammie +, writes (6 July 2006):
 hya i think about 1 yrs old just make sure you get them all one day and then make them all go you could give her something else to confort her/his like a teddy (herhis favorate one) and see how you go it might be hard but persavere and it will be fine good luck samx
...............................
A
female
reader, eyeswideopen  +, writes (27 June 2006):
 I'd do it around 1 year old, most babies are capable of comforting themselves at that point. It can cause speech problems in older babies. Learning to talk is hard enough without having to talk around a plug in your mouth! I have also heard that in some children it can contribute to ear infections. I would just gather them up (make sure you find them all) and have them disappear. Do it on a day the baby is feeling good and in fine spirits. Good luck!
...............................
|