Giving up the pacifier – how and when? 5 techniques to make the process easier.

Should we give our pacifier to Santa Claus? The Christmas season is a favorite time for parents to encourage their children who use pacifiers to stop using them. The famous question "Shall we give our pacifier to Santa Claus?" is often used because it's a strong argument, making the child feel that if they give their pacifier to Santa, they'll get that special toy they wanted so much.

The same applies to baby bottles, cloth diapers, or any other cherished item the child may have that the parents feel it's time to give up.

But why is it so important that this happens? What are the actual harmful effects of pacifier use in children?

There is no right age to give up a pacifier, and it is up to the parents to assess whether the children are ready to give up what are their greatest comfort objects, especially in less comfortable moments (such as being away from their parents).

Most pediatricians report that this weaning should happen between the ages of 2 and 4 because that's precisely when pacifier use begins to affect speech. But this is no easy task.

As we can read in this article, the act of sucking comes from the baby's innate sucking ability, necessary for feeding. However, prolonged use of a pacifier begins to interfere with the alignment of the teeth and even the growth of the jaws.

It is true that the use of a pacifier essentially makes life easier for parents, especially in adapting to the baby and the resulting dynamic between them. When parents choose a pacifier, they should make an effort to ensure that it is only used for sleeping, since, when awake, the child should be able to manage their anxiety more independently.

As children get older, it's precisely for reasons of autonomy, but essentially for oral health, that they should be encouraged to gradually give up their pacifier. How?

5 Techniques to Give Up the Pacifier

Choosing dates or significant moments

A good technique to ease this difficult transition is to choose important dates (such as birthdays, Christmas, or other occasions) for it. This makes the event very special and instills a greater sense of responsibility in the child. Unfortunately, it can also be related to an accident, such as falling and breaking a tooth or injuring the mouth area. Having a sense of opportunity is very important so that this is not necessarily a traumatic event for the child.

Out of sight, out of mind.

Naturally, the child needs to understand that the pacifier has truly disappeared. If you know it's within reach, even if you can't get it yourself, you'll keep asking for it. And because it often hurts both parents and children to take away the pacifier, keep it in a pretty box to have a memento of the time when you could still call them "baby" without judgment.

Attention and Distraction

If you notice that your child needs help because they are feeling anxious or uncomfortable, try talking about it and/or distracting them with something else. Don't criticize or use negative words. Now more than ever, it's important to be aware of the reasons that lead the child to seek comfort at that particular moment and try to resolve it in another way.

Prepare the community

If your child attends school, visits grandparents, or is even with friends, inform them about this change in the child's routine and behavior so that everyone can act accordingly. A communication breakdown that leads the grandmother or teacher to give in to the request for a pacifier because she didn't know, can undo a lot of hard work.

Legal Sabotage

This isn't for all parents because it can create a guilty conscience. You can intentionally cut or damage the pacifier or bottle nipple so that the child starts to lose interest in themselves. One thing is certain: the punishment is the same as with other methods, meaning that in the end, you'll have to put up with a very angry and grumpy child.

As mentioned before, this is no easy task. For a while, you'll need to be extra patient and soothe your baby's anxiety with lots of cuddles, attention, and conversation. Whenever you're about to give in, remember all the problems that can be associated with excessive pacifier use. You can read more about this in this article , which details the problems that can arise during a period of excessive pacifier use. Have courage!