How To Wean Your Child From A Pacifier
We recently wrote a blog post about how pacifiers affect speech development, and we got some really interesting follow up questions from my community! You guys asked for a more detailed “how to” for actually weaning your babes from the pacifier. Whenever we get multiple questions on the same topic, We know we need to get writing, so “how to wean” made its way to the top of my blog-writing list. But, since this isn’t something we specialize in, we set out to find the right expert for you-- someone we knew could support you as you wean your little one from their paci.
#1 on my list was Catherine from Chikids Feeding! Catherine is a speech-language pathologist, a feeding specialist, and a certified lactation counsellor extraordinaire. Plus, she specializes in feeding therapy for kids. This makes her the perfect person to guide you through weaning from a pacifier. And-- lucky us!-- she oh-so-kindly agreed to share her insights with the Wee Talkers community.
If you’ve been wondering how to wean your child from a pacifier, you’re going to want to read this post now, share it with all your mom-friends, and then save it for future reference!
(Oh, and don’t forget to follow Catherine on Instagram for more tips and tricks. And, if you’re looking for more feeding support, Catherine offers 1:1 virtual feeding consults and group feeding classes. Head to her website and Instagram to learn more!)
Here are the details from my conversation with Catherine:
Do you recommend pacifier use?
I do for newborn babies, because a pacifier can help them a lot with calming and sleep. But, after about 6 months of age, I’d recommend cutting back usage to just while your baby is in the crib, for help getting to sleep.
What about thumb sucking?
You really want to avoid thumb sucking. Why? Because thumbs can’t be weaned! If your baby is already sucking her thumb, start to replace it with a pacifier or teether, which can be weaned when the time comes.
Do you have a favorite pacifier you’d recommend?
Yes! I recommend going with a Soothie Pacifier. The rounded shape promotes tongue cupping and elevation of the sides of the tongue. (Both great for later oral motor and speech skills!)
I also LOVE the WubbaNub Pacifier, which has the same shape as the Soothie. The weight of the sweet little ‘lovie’ that’s attached can help your baby by:
Keeping the pacifier in their mouth
Providing subtle input and calming feelings
Giving baby a something to hold onto
If your baby doesn’t accept the Soothie shape, it’s okay to try another. Just note that all shapes can cause dental changes.
What if baby can’t keep the pacifier in their mouth?
You can help them improve sucking by providing gentle resistance (pull out slightly) on the pacifier to help baby strengthen his seal. When you pull out, he pulls back. Try for 1-3 seconds, 3-5x in a row.
Put your finger in the pacifier and press down gently on baby’s tongue. He should begin to cup his tongue around the pacifier. This cupping is important for later oral development!
When To Wean Your Child From Their Pacifier
I like to think of your baby’s pacifier timeline as a stoplight system:
0-6 Months: Go for it! This is a great age to use a pacifier.
6-12 Months: Begin weaning. Think crib-only!
12-18 Months: Start weaning even from the crib. Skip naps, and remove the pacifier from the crib right after your baby falls asleep.
(Carly and Katie here! Isn’t this such a smart, easy way to remember this? We love it!)
How To Wean Your Child From Their Pacifier
If it’s time to start weaning but your baby just can’t quit their pacifier, try the following:
#1 Pack up the pacis!
Tell your child you’re giving them away as gifts to the new babies in the hospital, or something along those lines. Key here is: out of sight, out of mind. The first 2-3 days will be rough, but then it’s all over.
#2 Cut a tiny bit off the top.
Taking a little off the top of the nipple will make sucking less satisfying. Gradually, cut more and more until your baby doesn’t want to use it anymore.
#3 Keep your baby’s hands busy.
Try a new routine or new toy to keep baby’s mind off the pacifier.
#4 Replace the pacifier with a teether.
Teethers provide calming oral input through chewing, which is a much more developmentally appropriate means!
#5 Use a transitional item.
Introduce a new, transitional item before you wean. Give it to your baby every time she is sucking on her pacifier. This way, even though the paci will go away, their new lovie is here to stay.
Congrats, mama! You’re now a paci-weaning pro.
Are you feeling ready to take this on? Or, are you a veteran mama with additional tips up your sleeve that we can try out? Let us know in the comments below.
Here’s what to do next:
If you’re a parent of a baby, go ahead and download our free baby milestones guide-- the exact handout we bring when we speak at local parent/baby groups! This handy little guide will help you understand what’s coming next for your baby as you learn how and when to talk with your baby to help support and encourage their language development.
Isn’t it soo fun learning what they’re learning?
