https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Tue, 19 May 2026 22:50:31 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/ideal-timeage-to-ditch-the-pacifier#post-315805 Fri, 28 Sep 2012 14:15:07 +0000 Lozza 315805@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@mrstilly: I agree that it's really convenient for keeping other things out of their mouths :)<br /> DS is 18 months and uses it in the car, only (and occasionally if we're out and he's fussy and I'm desperate). I'm fine with it. He talks all the time so I'm not worried about it screwing with his speech, and he probably gets it for less than 45 minutes/ day total, and not at all for naps or nighttime, so he has other ways to self-soothe, and I can't really imagine that amount of time will permanently screw up his teeth. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/ideal-timeage-to-ditch-the-pacifier#post-315758 Fri, 28 Sep 2012 13:55:16 +0000 theknest 315758@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@mrstilly: I'm pro pacifier too. I don't think there is anything wrong with an 18 month old (and older) using a pacifier during the times you've mentioned. I'm just afraid the "habit" will be harder to break as my son gets older. You never know though, just have to make the best decisions for your LO's. Good point on the distraction!</p> <p>My sitter is kind of encouraging us so...if she wasn't we probably would have waited for a long while. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/ideal-timeage-to-ditch-the-pacifier#post-315533 Fri, 28 Sep 2012 12:21:49 +0000 mrstilly 315533@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>DS is just 18 months old and still has one. At daycare he only gets it for his nap. At home he gets it for naps and bedtime, unless he is sick. He does keep it in for about 20 minutes after he wakes up, unless he's already taken it out and chucked it out of the crib. I also give it to him when I'm running with him in the jogging stroller of if we are driving but usually only if he's really fussing. </p> <p>One of the unsung benefits to a pacifier is that it distracts DS from putting things in his mouth (like dirt, rocks, etc...) I definitely do pop it in at times when he's trying to eat things he shouldn't. </p> <p>I was very pro-pacifier because I was a thumb sucker and it messed up my teeth. Even when I was older, I would suck my thumb in my sleep without realizing it. DS didn't take one until he was about 6 weeks old. And at this point, I don't really care if he uses it or not. He will take it out on his own a lot of the time, and most of his awake time is without a pacifier. I don't think he has the strongest attachment to it like some other kids do, at least he seems to care less than some of my friend's kids. He doesn't ask for it either. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/ideal-timeage-to-ditch-the-pacifier#post-315002 Fri, 28 Sep 2012 09:09:32 +0000 mediagirl 315002@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@theknest: good luck!! M only uses hers for emergency fussy moments (she's still young - 15 weeks) and to help her fall asleep. I'm hoping to drop the emergency fussy moments by 5 months and then drop the paci completely by 9 months. I'm sure it's hard, though.... I don't want her to be 2 and walking around with a paci in her mouth!! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/ideal-timeage-to-ditch-the-pacifier#post-314986 Fri, 28 Sep 2012 09:04:02 +0000 theknest 314986@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Thanks ladies! @sweett- we decided to just go for it last night. We snipped the end of his pacifier off. A little fussing and he was off dreaming. He slept all night...I think the morning was a little rougher for him. Usually I let him keep it in for 15 minutes or so while he "wakes up." My sister has a 17 MO....and that girl is so attached to her pacifier now. She'll suck on one and hold one or two more! That inspired me to stop now...before it's too late. </p> <p>I can keep you posted on how it goes. My only worry is we have a sitter coming over tomorrow...I'm going to give her an EMERGENCY pacifier.... </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/ideal-timeage-to-ditch-the-pacifier#post-313193 Thu, 27 Sep 2012 13:39:49 +0000 mamabird 313193@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I plan on getting rid of it at six months if not before. It's one thing to say and another to do though lol When it calms them down it's hard to get rid of. She is starting to do a great job at self soothing so I hope it will be easy when the times comes. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/ideal-timeage-to-ditch-the-pacifier#post-313177 Thu, 27 Sep 2012 13:33:51 +0000 mamabolt 313177@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>A family friend who is an NP said she recommends six months, because at that age they can soothe themselves other ways and it's easier to wean them from it then vs when they are two or three. We'll see if we can actually follow that advice! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/ideal-timeage-to-ditch-the-pacifier#post-313103 Thu, 27 Sep 2012 13:06:20 +0000 Sweet T 313103@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@theknest: so happy you posted this. My LO will be 13 months in a few days and I'm trying to figure this out as well. He also only takes his pacifier for sleep and in the car. I'm hoping it will be easier to take it away since he doesn't have it all day. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/ideal-timeage-to-ditch-the-pacifier#post-313093 Thu, 27 Sep 2012 13:01:58 +0000 prettylizy 313093@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My plan was to take it away around 1 year, but at 6 months she's decided her thumb is a better option. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/ideal-timeage-to-ditch-the-pacifier#post-313054 Thu, 27 Sep 2012 12:46:48 +0000 autumnlove 313054@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I was going to take it away at 6 months but she lost interest around 4 months. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/ideal-timeage-to-ditch-the-pacifier#post-313047 Thu, 27 Sep 2012 12:45:20 +0000 theknest 313047@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>When is the best age to remove the pacifier? My son is 12 months and our sitter believes this is the best time to get rid of the pacifier, before they start to develop attachment issues. I've read several things online and our doctor didn't really have a solid answer....so I thought I'd turn to the HB community. He only uses for sleep and sometimes in the car. </p> <p>I think the decision is hard on me...I feel like it's the last thing linking him to his babyhood and to tell the truth, it's sometimes convenient. </p> <p>So what do you all think? What age is ideal? </p>