Passing On The Pacifier

Pacifiers, binkies, nuckers - whatever you call them, parents think they're a lifesaver when it comes to a screaming child. Breaking the binkie habit, however, can be challenging. Tricia O'Brien, Features Editor of American Baby Magazine, explains.

Pacifiers do have positives. "Babies have this innate need to suck," says O'Brien, "so when they're done breast feeding or bottle feeding, they still may want to just suck and they can get that from a pacifier." Babies who use pacifiers also have a reduced risk of SIDS or Sudden Infant Death Syndrome.

However, if your child keeps using their pacifier too long, there are some health risks. O'Brien says kids have the potential to develop an overbite, speech delays, and ear infections. Ideally, you should begin to wean your son or daughter from their pacifier around 12 months, but if you get to 24 months and they still haven't been weaned, it's not terrible.

First, tell everyone involved in your child's life that you're in the process of weaning them from their binkie. This includes grandparents, caretakers, daycare workers and older siblings. It's important to present a united front.

Next, decide on a method. Weaning can either be gradual or cold turkey. Both are hard and may take a while, but with consistency comes success. Regardless, prepare yourself for some crying, complaining and wailing for those first few days. They key is to not give up.

Timing can play a key role in weaning success. For example, weaning a child during a time of change - such as a move, going to a new daycare or introducing a new sibling to the family - won't go well. Remember that your child relies on their pacifier for comfort, and they'll need stability in other areas of their life to be successfully weaned.

In addition, make weaning a positive thing. "You can try to create an attachment to something else like a blanket or a teddy bear," says O'Brien. She also adds that, "A really fun thing to do is tell them the Binkie Fairy is coming." Just like a Tooth Fairy would leave a small present or some money in exchange for a lost tooth, the Binkie Fairy does the same for a pacifier exchange.

Or, tie the weaning to a big milestone like a birthday or holiday. Saying things like, "Big girls who are two years old don't use binkies anymore," can help. Prepare your child ahead of time so that they know the change is coming. Talk about losing their binkie and comfort them.

For more information on weaning your child from their pacifier, visit AmericanBaby.com.

By Erin Petrun