Why are so many kids that can walk and talk still sucking on pacifiers and bottles?

Question

Is this the new trend? I am so tired of seeing kids (ages 2, 3 and even 4) trotting around with a bottle and a pacifier a.k.a. "binky" in their mouth. What is up with that? At what age should a child be weaned from these things? I was in Albertson's and this little girl, obviously 3 or so, was screaming "I want my binky!". Her mother was explaining that she was going to buy her another one and that she could use it as soon as they left the store. What??? This child had a mouth full of teeth for her age and she could talk and walk as good as any grown woman.

This is definitely NOT the first time that I've seen this. Why are so many parents giving in to their kids addiction to the bottle and pacifier at that age? It's like some people actually get mad if you say something about it. They know it's abnormal, but they don't want you to bring it to their attention. I have a relative that allows her 3 year old to suck a bottle full of juice every night.

Weird.

Love Ya - I am sorry, but regardless of the situation, age 4 or 5 is too old for a child to be slurping on a pacifier. Stop making excuses. It's laziness on behalf of the parent. I can understand that kids need to feel secure but sucking a bottle or pacifier shouldn't be their security blanket. I am not judging anybody in particular and I don't need to know any circumstances. It's not right, period.

Answer 1

Well, Its just plain laziness on the part of parents.

When a baby cries for no reason, usually the easy way out is to push in a pacifier.

I use the pacifier for my children for up to only six months and usually will take out the pacifier when they are asleep.

As for feeding bottle, start to spoon feed at the age of one. Because of time and work, parents will always find the easy way out and for kids they just love to have the pacifer and the bottle if you keep giving it to them.

Answer 2

I hardley see any children with bottles or binkies in compared to when I was a baby. People today are more aware of what they do to their childs teeth. Mabey where you live there are a lot but I dont see it very much at all. Most people I know today are bottle breaking their children before age 1. I guess I was lucky, none of my 4 children never got into binkies very much. I do know that I used one for awhile, ive got baby pictures to prove it too. lol

Answer 3

i think we need to look at all of the addiction and oral fixation today and question whether taking all oral stimulation away before child is ready is such a good idea too, That being said, most children who feel secure do not continue to need constant oral stimulation after age 2. After that some parents are simply not paying attention, taking the course of least resistance, even pushing the binky because it is a shortcut to really giving comfort. when parents lack the time and energy to spend on their child, children will comfort themselves as best they can.
But as one respondent observed, its easy to be judgmental. walk a day in their shoes and it might make a lot more sense.

Answer 4

My daughter will be 2 years old in 3 months. She still uses a binky. But only at night and long car rides. On her Second birthday the binky goes. I know what you mean about little kids with their binky's and bottles. I think 2 is the cut off point for that.

Our daughter started on sippy cup at 6 months but she still has that binky.

Answer 5

I agree - it's laziness on the part of the parent. It's hard to say "no" and they just don't want to put the effort into it.

I think binkies should be left at home after the age of 2. It affects their teeth as well as the muscle development of their tongue - leading to speech problems later on (that have to be corrected w/ speech therapy at the school's expense).

As for the oral fixation arguement, I would have to say that a child who is taught that constant oral stimuli is acceptable, is going to be the one chewing on pencils, smoking etc.

Answer 6

Parents are naturally loving toward their children and defensive about others' suggesting that they handle parenting differently. Children who are allowed "binkies" or bottles beyond the age appropriate (if at all, mine never used pacifiers and are well adjusted teens now) are casualties of parents who do not have the time, energy, inclination, or desire to deal with helping the kids mature responsibly. Don't worry though...peer pressure will cause the kids to quit on their own when others begin to tease them.

Answer 7

Because parents would rather stick a piece of plastic in their child's mouth than actually nurture their babies themselves. It's really sad, if you ask me. I really cringed the other day when I saw a woman in a store with a baby of about 4 months old in the shopping cart. She was feeding the baby by holding a bottle in his mouth with one hand, while talking on her cell phone with the other. She wasn't even looking at the poor baby, let alone nurturing him while she fed him. I can almost guarantee he'll be walking around with a bottle/pacifier in his mouth while Mom chats on the phone 4 years from now.
Children can have their needs for oral stimulation met by other means than a piece of plastic in their mouth. But try telling the lazy parents that. Poor children.

Answer 8

"I am so tired of seeing kids (ages 2, 3 and even 4) trotting around with a bottle and a pacifier a.k.a. "binky" in their mouth" Then don't look at them. Pacifers for children are a security device. I don't agree with bottle at night after age one. A bottle with milk or juice at night is only going to cause the teeth to rot and rotted baby teeth cause problems in permanent teeth later on. But YOU have no right saying anything, YOU are not the child's parent, YOU are not responsible for the child. And I'm sure you don't pay the parent's bills. So it's none of your business and like I said. If you don't want to see it don't look.

Answer 9

it bothers me when i see this too
in ny, i have seen little kids 4 years old get picked up from private school and right away take the binky they didnt have all day

my daughter quit using hers at 7months
and at 13 months we are working on getting her off the bottle which should have been done at 12 months--- by doctors suggestion and damn near every baby book and mag

Answer 10

Because there idiots and don't want to deal with there children..My 4 boy's were off the bottle at 1 and threw there pacifier's away at 1 1/2...