When should my child stop using a pacifier?
Parents frequently ask us, “Which pacifier is best for my baby” or “When should I stop using the pacifier?” The answer is very simple but needs explanation.
No matter what you call it, a binkie, bo-bo, paci or any of the other hundred names it may go by, the pacifier may have a small place in early infancy, but beyond that point, it can be very harmful. Pacifiers are needed, at times, to help calm the upset, fussy, hungry or uncomfortable newborn until the parent can tend to the child’s needs. Their utilization, however, should be very limited and prolonged use can negatively impact the growth and development of the mandible (lower dental arch), the maxilla (upper dental arch) and muscle development and utilization of the tongue.