Why did they invent pacifiers??

Question

My son is two and a half. He takes his paci with him everywhere. To bed, preschool, church, the store. Its like if he doesnt have it he goes crazy. What is the best way to try and get rid of it?

Answer 1

he is obviously being comforted by it - and i dont see a problem with that. we all do our own thing to self-comfort - his is just sucking on the dummy. i wouldnt worry - he wont do it forever. i know its hard sometimes, but he is only 2 and a half. what r u worried about? his health? or what other mother r whispering about?? if its his health, get his teeth checked at a dentist. if its what other people r saying - tell them to get stuffed (even if its in ur head). if its causing no harm, let him be happy.

Answer 2

my daughter was the like your son and everyone convienced me to take it from her so we did and she started sucking her pacifier so we took one habit and she just had another but there are a few ideas I have if still want to get rid of it. One is only allow him to have it at nap and bed time then after about a month make itonly bed time and then after a month or so say no more paci the other idea is and I seen this on supernanny is she took a bag and had the little girl collect all her paci's and she had a lot and they put them in a bag then they took them outside and hung it in the tree and they said that the paci fairy will take all her pacis and bring her a speical toy the fairy will give the old pacis to babies that needed them. The next day there was a brand new toy ( Dora doll) in the place were the bag was all wrapped up in fancy paper. So maybe instead of a dora doll something that your son REALLY likes something like thomas the tank engine or a big truck something but the doctor that I took my daughter to said that they will give them up on their own but if they are 5 with it that is when you should be concerned so be patient he may just be using it for secruity my daughter lost her paci at 2 1/2 and at 3 1/2 she is still sucking that finger to go to sleep so dont worry it will happen at his pace. I wish you lots of luck

Answer 3

Quitting Thumb Sucking and Pacifiers

As children grow and develop, their need to suck usually goes away, most often by the time they are 6 to 8 years old. Also, with increases in peer pressure, children are more able to control their behavior. However, parents sometimes want this behavior to stop before peer pressure becomes an issue.

If you want to break your older child's sucking habits, the first step is to ignore them! Most often, they will disappear with time. Harsh words, teasing, or punishment may upset your child, and the habit will get worse. Punishment is not an effective way to get rid of habits.

Older children (more than 3 years of age) may use sucking to relieve boredom. Try getting your child's attention with an activity that she finds fun. Rewarding good behavior is the best way to produce a change. Praise and reward your child when she does not suck her thumb or use the pacifier. Star charts, daily rewards, and gentle reminders, especially during the daytime hours, are also very helpful.

If these measures do not work and your child wants to stop, your pediatrician might recommend trying a reminder such as covering the thumb with a plastic strip or "thumb guard" (an adjustable plastic cap that is taped to the thumb). Your child should be directly involved with the treatment chosen. Before using these methods, be sure to explain them to your child. If they make your child afraid or tense, stop them at once.

If your child's teeth are affected by the behavior and you have tried all the methods described above, talk to a pediatric dentist. Some dentists will install a device in the mouth that prevents the fingers or thumb from putting pressure on the palate or teeth. In fact, this device usually makes it so unpleasant to place the thumb or finger into the mouth that your child removes his thumb or finger.

Severe emotional upsets or stress-related problems might cause your child to suck his thumb or use a pacifier for a long time. It is also possible that your child may be one of the very few who cannot seem to stop. However, most children stop daytime sucking habits before they get very far in school. This is because of peer pressure. These same children might still use sucking as a way of going to sleep or calming themselves when they are upset. This is usually done in private and causes no harm either emotionally or physically. Putting too much pressure on your child to stop this type of behavior may cause more harm than good. Even these children eventually stop the habit on their own.

Answer 4

I personally never gave into the whole pacifier thing it is a comfort zone. I always thought if the child needs my attention then I should give it. Not hand out a quick band aide I am not down on you because you give him his pacifier but it is a comfort band aide and he is trying to tell you something like that he is insecure for what ever reason take it away from him and you will see he will be fine no pacifier needed. Again I am not being down on you just being honest.And that is how I see it.

Answer 5

Pacifiers are supposed to transition infants off of thumb sucking and comfort them when upset. Two and a half seems old to still use the pacifier. My brother is a grown man and still sucks his thumb, so I am not trying to judge you, but your child is at an age where he should no longer be using a pacifier.

Answer 6

my son which is 3 now was almost 2 when we got rid of his. To make him stop takeing it l cut off the end of the paci. when he brought it to me he said it was broke and he never took it again. l know that he will cry for it and throw fits but just don't give it to him altogether let him cry but you have to be stronge and not give in. tell him if he can go without it then you will do something special for him. I hope l could help.

Answer 7

Thats similar to thumb sucking.. In Africa there is an old trick, the thumb would be covered or painted with a bitter tasting leaf juice, the child would suck the thumb, and bingo!! bitter taste.. the habit stops soon after.. I guess where you are, there might be laws against that, but im certain you can use something your child doesnt like the tast of, NOT MEDICINE, but anything else.

Answer 8

pacifiers are for new born babys because they still have the need to suck on something but it is the moms place to keep it from getting out of hand my daught used one when she was new born and i started taking it away as she got older and was playing with new toys and things if you dont brake the pacifier soon your child may need to have dental work done
they can make his teeth come in wrong and your going to be out all the money for the dentist

Answer 9

It's much preferable to thumb sucking. I stopped my #2 son from thumb sucking by tying his little brother's pacifier around his neck by a piece of yarn. Unfortunately you don't have that option

Answer 10

To soothe the baby. Its shaped like a nipple and I guess supposed to be as soothing as mommy's breast. But some don't agree with using a pacifier as it becomes hard to ween the child away from it.