Binky/Pacifier...how long should kids have it?

Question

I see so many kids out in public that can TALK and have pacifiers. Why? It's for kids who don't have teeth so they can self-soothe. How long should kids have pacifiers and why?

I'm not against them at all. I do think if a child can talk though, that they no longer need one. It makes parents look terrible...like they're saying "shut up" to their child.

Answer 1

I never gave my kids a pacifier, and they did great. (If they never have one, there's nothing to miss when it gets taken away!)

However, if you insist on giving one, I'd say that anything over one year old is too old for a binky. A kid in the 2-3 year old range with a binky looks ridiculous, and its certainly not healthy for them to have one at that age either.

Answer 2

if its not bothering or harming the child what's the harm in letting him/her have it. Some kids have blankies and teddies and dolls as a means of security but others have a pacifier. I breastfed all 3 of my children and i will with this one and i have always given a pacifier. Say for example you are driving and there is nowhere to pull off to feed and the baby is crying a pacifier is good as a temorary relief.

Answer 3

Babies should not be given pacifiers... Basically, this impedes their ability to learn ways to soothe themselves which is why you see older kids who are still walking around with a Binky! There is a girl at my daughter's preschool (3 years old), whenever she is upset her mother tells the teacher to give her her binky!!!

By the way, a pacifier is NOT a self soothing technique...

Also, Breastfeeding mothers do not use pacifiers!

Answer 4

I think it depends on the child. I never had a Pacifier...ever. One of my cousins had it until she was 5. My other cousins stopped at about 2 1/2. If the child needs it at bed time that's fine, as long as they aren't asking or crying for it through out the day, its not a problem and you don't need to ween them off. I think anywhere from 2 1/2 - 3 1/2 is a good age.

Answer 5

I would say that once the child's teeth are in it should stop because of issues that it could cause later in life. When I was little I didn't stop until I was 2 1/2-3 years old and I had braces for 3 1/2 years.

Answer 6

I started out with good intentions and didn't give one to my older kids but my now 4&2 year old had one until they were six months old-any later than that and it becomes too much of a issue taking them away.
I currently have four month old triplets and I have to say pacifiers are great but I hope to ween them off once they are between six and eight months.

Answer 7

I personally love binky's however I do believe that once you child starts to make the motion of chewing on it especially once teeth are cut then its time for the pacifier to go bye bye.

Answer 8

Harmony in the home makes them quit earlier. It's harder to get them off a thumb. It's partly insecurity from arguing or mood in the home. I never understood why I was forced to eat when I wasn't hungy.They tested kids and if sugar was taken off the table they natually chose a balanced meal. With all the obesity in the world it's seems odd to make eating a virtue. I think the food is weak in nutrients and supplements are necessary. But I wouldn't force them into anything with the binky for our pride. Love can mean tolerance in an over regulated society. The main problem I can see is looking for love in all the wrong places as teens from a lack in the home and society. I say let your intuition be your guide. It's human.

Answer 9

I think that you will find a wide range of answers on this topic. Basically, in my opinion, it boils down to two main constituents: 1) the child, and 2) the parent(s).

I remember seeing a child who appear to be 4+ running around one of the local malls with a pacifier in her mouth - to me, this seemed a bit strange. To the parent(s) either it did not, or it did but they were unsure of how to curb their child's' habit.

My oldest gave it up on her own sometime before 2 years of age...probably around 18 months. My youngest wanted to keep it but we were able to ween her quite easily.

Some friends of ours cut just the very tip off with a pair of scissors. A few days later, they cut a but more. Eventually, their daughter found no comfort in it at all so she gave it up.

Again, this is just my opinion, but I see no reason for a "normal" child to have need for a pacifier past the age of 2 years.

I wonder what the "experts" have to say on this?

Answer 10

I personally never used one for both of my girls and don't plan on using one on this baby either.
My great grandmother would not allow them in her house, she always said that if a baby is crying it's for a reason!
Don't get me wrong I know some parents use them because of breast feeding or colic and that is their choice but I didn't feel my kids needed them. It doesn't help when u see kids that are toooo old for them and will not give them up or like u said talk with them in their mouth.
I just think it's more of a hassle, one more thing to break them from, but if I had to say what age would be a good age, I would say at a year when they give up the bottle. Besides, you don't want it screwing up their teeth.