My nephew has autism, he's going to be 5 years old this July and my grandparents (which are 77 years old) still give him a pacifier...is it wrong? and will he have dental problems in the future if they keep on giving it to him? They take care of him most of the time since his parents don't want to for too long (another subject). but I'm wanting to know so me and my parents can try to convince them to stop giving it to him. You can already tell that his teeth are sticking out from them giving it to him so much and I'm worried about what his teeth are going to look like in the future if they keep on giving it to him at night and just about all the time during the day. Any advice would be appreciated. Thanks!
2007-01-26 07:15:43 · 19 answers · asked by Supernatural Fan 3 in Pregnancy & Parenting ➔ Toddler & Preschooler
I keep on telling them that they shouldn't give him the pacifier but they keep on saying that he is special and that whatever he wants we will give it to him...I mean my grandparents (his great-grandparents) shouldn't be taking care of him anyway. Nobody will stand up to my grandparents because they might not be here for too much longer and nobody wants to make them mad. They're way too attached to Ben (my nephew) and I'm afraid that DSS might take my nephews away (I have 2) if they find out that Ben stays over there like its his home instead of with his parents.
2007-01-26 07:48:34 · update #1
First of all there is a full spectrum of autism. Is he high funtioning and just babied because of it? Yes he will have dental problems but with his disability is the pacifier helping? Who knows that is where a medical professional comes in. Children with autism are very hard sometimes to read, since with autism comes a lack of social knowledge and many times interaction. Where he is five he could have the mental capacity of a much younger child (sorry not trying to be rude). Autism because of its full spectrum is hard. Sad to say but the pacifier may be a needed implement to his staying well. If he did not have autism or if he is high functioning autistic I would say throw out the pacifier by 6 mos. of age. But in this case I would see what his pedi and any other doctors say. BTW I would not take any suggestions from Amy Z above, she apparently thinks it is ok to leave a child in a dirty diaper for hours because the kid wants to....the kid is probably 4.
2007-01-27 15:12:27 · answer #1 · answered by Mom of Four 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
There is a chance that your nephews baby teeth will pay a price fro pacifier use. It should not been given as his adult teeth come in. Once those teeth begin to protrude do to the pacifier he will need braces to fix the problem. It seems to me that your grandparents are doing the best they can with the given situation. I am sure that caring for a five year old is hard on them. Although later he may have crooked teeth, no one from my knowledge has died from having a pacifier to long. He will figure out soon enough that this is not something other kids his age do and will leave the pacifier alone to fit in. Just always tell him how big he looks when he doesn't have it and don't complain in front of him about him having it. He may loose interest when everyone else does.
2007-01-26 07:41:05 · answer #2 · answered by kjblue 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Teeth problems were caused by the old style pacifier. If he's got a new style pacifier appropriately sized for his mouth (google Nuk 4 and Nuk 5, he might need the 4 at that age) the pacifier won't exert enough pressure on his teeth to move them. Soft latex isn't going to push teeth around.
Now, if you take the pacifier away and he sticks his thumb in, muscle covered bone WILL move teeth.
People need to stop worrying about everyone being big girls and boys. A binky isn't going to hurt anyone, honest.
2007-01-27 05:23:50 · answer #3 · answered by Miakoda 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Maybe you should just tell them that you think he is too old for the pacifier. Maybe they would appreciate the advice. I don't know much about autism but maybe he will get agitated if he is not allowed to have it so they just give it to him rather than have to deal with a big uproar. Maybe you could find an article somewhere about how it can ruin the teeth and then show it to them.
2007-01-26 07:26:01 · answer #4 · answered by Stuck in the middle of nowhere 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think alot of the answers already given have pretty much summed up the fact that he is too old for a pacifier. BUT, because of his autism, it may be hard for him to give it up. You should speak up to the parents and grandparents. They should contact their pediatrician to find out how they might help the boy get off of the pacifier.
2007-01-26 07:43:10 · answer #5 · answered by Stacy 4 · 2⤊ 0⤋
I understand that it might be hard to take it away from him since he has autism but they need to start slowly giving him the pacifier less and less it is bad for his teeth. Try suggesting a blanket to comfort him instead. It will make him feel secure and wont ruin his teeth.
2007-01-26 08:19:34 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
its kind of up to you but he could have dental problems like an overbite but it could keepp him quiet and busy on something.It could be wrong because in my family we stopped at 2 yrs of age and if you do this when you stop him now when its already too late his 5 he might like the habbit and want to suck his fingers instead so if you stop him because he is used to it he is going to try to find something else that is the same as sucking a pacifier
2007-01-26 07:25:32 · answer #7 · answered by sarah e 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
many times a sprint one will grow to be a thumb sucker in the event that they don't have a pacifier. that's lots much less perplexing to get a sprint one off the pacifier than the thumb. enable her improve her toddler the way she needs to, and you'd be able to enhance yours your way. In 18 years you will comprehend which one among you have been top. :-)
2016-11-01 08:54:43 · answer #8 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I don't think he should have a pacifer for three reasons:
1- His teeth will be affected
2- His speech will be affected
3- He will be teased by his peers (or feel different if he has a 'little secret')
At his age, he is well on his way to knowing what 'normal' is. The Grandparents need someone to help THEM get over this.............
2007-01-26 07:29:20 · answer #9 · answered by basport_2000 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋
tell grandparents they need to take responsibility for dentist bill and throw out pacifier
2007-01-26 07:24:57 · answer #10 · answered by vanessa g 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋