Connecting moms in Polk County, Fla.

The Problem With Pacifiers

I felt a little surprised when reading the article linked above. Old school thought seemed to negatively analyze pacifiers with a recent upturn to positive thinking (which we chat about here), in fact benefits to using the sucking device to possibly thwart SIDS. And now this? Back to a negative stance?

It makes it hard to know what to do as a parent. With the link it gives suggested time uses when using the bink and a recommendation of kicking the habit by age 2 or before.

What do you think about this linked info? Will the Binky ever catch a positive break? Or do you even think it should?

What are your thoughts on using pacifiers: Love them? Hate them? Indifferent?

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Permalink Reply by DisneyMamaTo2 on February 8, 2012 at 11:52pm

I'll attest to the whole gap thing occurring, but my child sucked on a paci from birth to 4yo10mo and within 3 months of giving it up, his teeth met in the front like there was never an issue.

For him, the paci was no different than a stuffed animal or blankie. It was his comfort item and when he had that thing, it was amazing what he could pick up and udnerstand. Also, with him, it was a matter of if it wasn't the pacifier, it was something else going into his mouth. Which totally sucked. He still has an oral fixation at 6.5yo.

My almost 3yo never took to one, but he carries FOUR blankets aroudn with him everywhere.

I say it's way better than a thumb because it can be taken away. BUT since most parents wouldn't take a lovey away before age two, why even consider traumatizing a child that's attached?