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My plan was to take it away around 1 year, but at 6 months she's decided her thumb is a better option.

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!

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.

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.

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.

@mrstilly: I agree that it's really convenient for keeping other things out of their mouths
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.