When a pacifier comes into a child’s life, its presence brings the ultimate soothing comfort. But what the child doesn’t know is that this specific kind of ultimate soothing comfort isn’t everlasting. The day of farewell will sooner or later arrive, but when is the right time to take the pacifier away from your child? Note that this blog post is based on general recommendations of pacifier use made by experts on this specific matter.

Let go of pacifiers around the age of 2-3

Pediatric dentists recommend limiting pacifier time when children turn 2 years old and ending the pacifier habit by the age of 3 to avoid dental problems. Past age 3, pacifiers can cause overbite, open bite, or cross bite – problems that affect chewing, speech, and appearance, which will often require an orthodontist to correct.

Most children are emotionally ready to wean off the pacifier around the age of 2-3, and it is a good idea to prepare your child for the upcoming goodbye to pacifiers. There are no strict rules about when and how to let go of pacifiers, so it’s a matter of feeling your way in order to end your child’s pacifier habit conveniently.

How to prepare for the bittersweet goodbye

Saying goodbye to your loyal soother throughout your first years is not easy, and the separation can be painful. You have to slowly prepare your child for this separation, which can be done in various ways – again, it’s a matter of feeling your way, so you can find out what works best for you and your child.

For instance, start preparing your child to let go of its pacifier, firstly, by removing it in “no-distress” situations, when your child is happy playing at home. Next, you can consider removing the pacifier, when your child is happy playing outside. Then you can try limiting the pacifier use in stressful situations, when your child needs comforting. Instead of giving your child its pacifier when the need for comfort appears, you can try encouraging your child to use its cuddle cloths/blankets and teddy bears.

Don’t forget, parting ways with your beloved soothing pacifier is sad situation for your child, which is why you have to put up with a few nights of really bad nights in order to end your child’s pacifier habit for good. But once the day of farewell is past history, your child will soon find other sources of comfort.

Did you know that children in Denmark “sacrifice” their pacifiers to so-called “pacifier trees” when it is time to say goodbye to their pacifiers? Read more about the topic here.