<![CDATA[Pacifier use]]>Hi


I know some parents are against the use of a pacifier for their babies.
However, I did read somewhere that it helps reduce colic, & since I thought I’m only going to use it for my boy’s sleeptime, I can easily wean him from it when he’s 18 months.

The prob is, he’s 18 months now & still is dependent on it.
Tried the cold turkey thing, he ended up in tantrums then crying for close to an hour.
Also tried the ‘offer other soothing methods’ thing.
So I sang lullaby for him till he falls asleep.
This works at times & doesn’t work at other times.
Though he still speaks a bit of gibberish, he does articulate that he wants the pacifier when it’s naptime or sleeptime.

Really want to stop him… because of course prolonged usage may misalign his teeth & cause him to wear braces in the future.

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/topic/3807/pacifier-useRSS for NodeSat, 25 Apr 2026 05:17:48 GMTMon, 22 Jun 2009 09:09:42 GMT60<![CDATA[Reply to Pacifier use on Mon, 11 Mar 2013 06:49:43 GMT]]>We didnt give our DD any pacifier so far .... 9th month now ... and she still havent show any signs of thumb-sucking yet ... so we hope she can stay pacifier-free all the way with only bottle allowed into the mouth ... 😉 😄

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/968230https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/968230Mon, 11 Mar 2013 06:49:43 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Pacifier use on Mon, 30 Apr 2012 14:19:51 GMT]]>I breastfed my kids too but gave them pacifiers as I do not want to be their human pacifier. 😓


I feel very tired to keep latching them when they want comfort sucking. All my kids stop latching at around 3-4 months old once they are more used to bottle feeding. 🤷

My DS1 and DD1 stopped using the pacifier at 2 years old. I just cut the pacifier and they fussed at most 2 days and got over it. However, it's a different story for DS2. I tried the same method when he was 2 yrs old. He turned to sucking the bottle for comfort and need to suck the bottle (with mik) throughout the night! Gave him water instead and he cried badly. :gloomy:

I was worried about tooth decay and as I was preggy with my 4th child then, I was too tired to \"fight\" with him and gave in. He is still using pacifier at 3 yrs old now. He is ok without one during nap time in childcare but once he is home, he will look for his \"best friend\".

Sigh...now his baby sister is using the pacifier too so I guess it will be even harder to wean DS2 off...I am taking it easy and hopefully he can stop using the pacifier on his own. :xedfingers: 🙏

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/754376https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/754376Mon, 30 Apr 2012 14:19:51 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Pacifier use on Sun, 15 Apr 2012 15:34:23 GMT]]>Hi!


My two elder boys used the pacifier to settle themselves for a nap or for night-time sleep till they were about 2.5 years old. My third one hated it, so he's never used it.

I tried to remove the pacifier from Boy No. 1 when he was 18 months. Didn't work. A lot of screaming and crying and distress. Hubby stepped in and told me to give up. He said kids will give it up eventually. He was right. I waited till my son stopped napping at 2.5 to 3 years of age, and because he was so tired after one whole of day non-stop activity, he fell asleep straightaway with little protest. He stopped using it within a few days of stopping naps. I didn't even bother weaning Boy No. 2 off the pacifier 'early' on. I just waited for the naps to stop.

Having said that, I never allowed them to use it except as a sleep prop past the age of one. I think it looks kinda awful for big kids to be walking around with that in that mouths outside. (personal opinion ah. :))

For using the bottle to soothe to sleep, if it contains milk, please, please do wipe down or brush your kids' teeth before they sleep. Otherwise, the sugar in the milk often causes dental problems. I know of kids who have had to have their teeth extracted under general anaesthesia when they were very small because of all the decay caused by milk. Yeww. And it affected the subsequent formation of permanent teeth.

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/746484https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/746484Sun, 15 Apr 2012 15:34:23 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Pacifier use on Sun, 15 Apr 2012 14:51:33 GMT]]>I don’t use pacifier for my 2 boys but I am convinced that was because I breast-fed both of them. Babies need to suck and breast-feeding them often already satisfy them. At night, I also sleep with the BB and whenever he wakes up, I will let him suck and he will get back to sleep real fast. I stopped breast-feeding my kids when they were 10 months old and by then, they just switch over to the milk bottle for their sucking needs instead! Before the kid sleep we will give them one bottle of milk so that they will suck and drink, feel full then can sleep through most of the night.


But I can sympathize with parents who do not breast-feed surely the pacifier is something that they cannot do without? Otherwise how to soothe a crying baby and their need to suck?

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/746466https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/746466Sun, 15 Apr 2012 14:51:33 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Pacifier use on Thu, 12 Jan 2012 11:18:58 GMT]]>I dont use pacifiers for my babies.

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/689631https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/689631Thu, 12 Jan 2012 11:18:58 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Pacifier use on Tue, 20 Dec 2011 15:37:13 GMT]]>

xinnamag:
My DS only uses the pacifier when he's sleeping. He's 27mths now and I think it's time to wean him off. 3 wks ago I pretend to throw his pacifier into the dustbin and surprising he took it over and really threw it away. I thought it's a good chance to wean him off.


From that day onwards, whenever he asked for his pacifier, I will remind him that he had threw it away. He seemed to accept the fact too. However, his sleeping pattern changed. He did not want to nap even though he was very tired. I had to coax him by singing songs for a long time and most of the time, I failed to do so. Even if he managed to nap, it would be less than an hour and he would wake up and start crying.

Nite time was even worse, he can tahan till 12+am and would cry cos can't get to sleep. And he will wake up very early too. I thought this will be only for a few days till he got adjusted. But it has been 3 wks and is still the same. DH gave him back his pacifier today cos he does not want to affect his physical development due to lack of sleep. And he fell asleep fast.

I really do not wish to give him back cos I know it will be even more difficult to wean him off the next time.

Anyone having similar experience to offer some advise? 😞
We weaned DS off pacifier at abt 18mths. Told him lizard took it away. He saw the lizard and accepted it. Cannot give him back else more difficut to wean off 2nd time. He actually could sleep thru' the nite till morning without a 2nd feed in middle of night by then, but with the lost of pacifier, we had to give him a bottle of milk at about midnight (he slept at 9pm) then he could sleep peacefully thereafter. Took about a week to get used to it. Another thing we gave him is a little bolster, so even without his pacifier, he still has his bolster to accompany him to sleep.

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/667715https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/667715Tue, 20 Dec 2011 15:37:13 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Pacifier use on Tue, 20 Dec 2011 15:26:01 GMT]]>My dd is weaned off the pacifier at 11 months. We had to persevere for a few times and bear with the prolonged cries. Our efforts paid off. 🙂

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/667689https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/667689Tue, 20 Dec 2011 15:26:01 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Pacifier use on Tue, 13 Dec 2011 04:45:23 GMT]]>I removed my son’s pacifier at 2 when I needed to train him to sleep throughout the night. I think it is best to remove the pacifier earlier if not the baby will depend on it. That’s what happen to mine. He is not able to sleep throughout the night.

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/661307https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/661307Tue, 13 Dec 2011 04:45:23 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Pacifier use on Mon, 14 Nov 2011 01:43:44 GMT]]>Wahh... if like that then I have to buy many pacifiers.. :shock:

'cause DD cries a few times in the night.. repeated process 😓

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/634380https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/634380Mon, 14 Nov 2011 01:43:44 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Pacifier use on Sat, 12 Nov 2011 06:33:50 GMT]]>My gal does that too so I get ready a clean pacifier next to me and when she cries, I don’t even look for the old pacifier. Just pop in the new one.

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/633597https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/633597Sat, 12 Nov 2011 06:33:50 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Pacifier use on Wed, 02 Nov 2011 05:47:42 GMT]]>Not sure whether it’s time to wean my coming-to-1yr DD off her pacifier…

It’s quite helpful sometimes, especially when she gets upset or frighten, help to calm her down quickly & easily.

But then I’m quite tired after every night, as DD would sometimes wake up in middle of night a few times & cry out for her pacifier, after which I have to wake up, find the pacifier & pop it back into her mouth.
This process repeats a few times in the night.
I really hope for DD to sleep smoothly through the night, instead of ‘asking’ for pacifier each time she wakes… sigh…

Anyone have any suggestions??

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/625187https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/625187Wed, 02 Nov 2011 05:47:42 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Pacifier use on Mon, 31 Jan 2011 18:04:32 GMT]]>I think I am opposite from most parents here. We advocate the pacifier liberally. As my mom says, no one here graduates with a pacifier in the mouth. And it’s easier to wean kids off pacifiers than their own thumbs (I have seen badly deformed thumbs). So, let your kids decide when they want to throw it away. Believe me, they won’t bring it to school.


My ds decided he didn’t want the pacifier when he was about 2+. No issues as he spat it out when we tried to push it to him. His teeth are aligned quite alright.

My toddler dd has been using it to sleep since she was born. Her teeth are aligned quite nicely since she doesn’t suck on it the whole day. If she sleeps better with it, we’ll let her have it.

We make sure we buy good pacifiers that are designed for dental development and change them according to the age of the kid. Best brand IMHO is Avent.

Anyway, I know of kids who never took the pacifier but still have crooked teeth. And braces are so common nowadays even those with mildly imperfect teeth go for it.

In fact, many factors affect teeth - genetics, dietary habits, cleaning etc. Not just the use of pacifiers. BTW, pacifiers promote saliva generation - our natural defence against tooth decay.

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/350404https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/350404Mon, 31 Jan 2011 18:04:32 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Pacifier use on Mon, 31 Jan 2011 15:40:26 GMT]]>My DS only uses the pacifier when he's sleeping. He's 27mths now and I think it's time to wean him off. 3 wks ago I pretend to throw his pacifier into the dustbin and surprising he took it over and really threw it away. I thought it's a good chance to wean him off.


From that day onwards, whenever he asked for his pacifier, I will remind him that he had threw it away. He seemed to accept the fact too. However, his sleeping pattern changed. He did not want to nap even though he was very tired. I had to coax him by singing songs for a long time and most of the time, I failed to do so. Even if he managed to nap, it would be less than an hour and he would wake up and start crying.

Nite time was even worse, he can tahan till 12+am and would cry cos can't get to sleep. And he will wake up very early too. I thought this will be only for a few days till he got adjusted. But it has been 3 wks and is still the same. DH gave him back his pacifier today cos he does not want to affect his physical development due to lack of sleep. And he fell asleep fast.

I really do not wish to give him back cos I know it will be even more difficult to wean him off the next time.

Anyone having similar experience to offer some advise? 😞

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/350372https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/350372Mon, 31 Jan 2011 15:40:26 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Pacifier use on Thu, 02 Jul 2009 05:17:03 GMT]]>Thanks, sashimi...


Hi M3 and Hairuliza,
This method works for my niece who was 2.5 yo too. Hope it works for your kid as well... 🙂

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/37034https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/37034Thu, 02 Jul 2009 05:17:03 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Pacifier use on Wed, 01 Jul 2009 05:22:14 GMT]]>

M3:
Thanks Green Q for your suggestion.


My gal is exactly like your son. I showed my hubby your post and he says we shall try it!

Actually I am also quite afraid to wean her off cos when she is unwell, she can really fuss. Plus we are travelling to NZ in Dec and if we wean her off, we have one less way to comfort her.

Hmmmm...

the pacificer would be very useful for the plane ride

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/36858https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/36858Wed, 01 Jul 2009 05:22:14 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Pacifier use on Wed, 01 Jul 2009 02:05:00 GMT]]>

GreenQ:
Hi juz to share...


I stopped my son fr sucking pacifier b4 he turns to 8 or 9 mths. [I only gave him pacifier in his sleeping time. And only gave to this elder son as the youngest son refused pacifier.]

The reason was cos he keep crying once the pacifier dropped fr his mouth after he fall to sleep. That was quite tired for both baby and mummy through out the whole nite.

So I cut the pacifier teat into 3/4 of the original size. Got one big hole. Then I passed to him. Hey... he tried for once, twice, third time.... he took out. Then, he put back into his mouth again. Took out one more time. Diff feeling of sucking it. He didn't feel to suck it.

Then he continued to hold the pacifier for few times when he wanted to sleep. But nv felt to suck it anymore. SUCCEED! 🙂
Brilliant!
Will try that & report whether it works.
Wish me luck! 🙏

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/36804https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/36804Wed, 01 Jul 2009 02:05:00 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Pacifier use on Wed, 24 Jun 2009 13:51:30 GMT]]>Thanks Green Q for your suggestion.


My gal is exactly like your son. I showed my hubby your post and he says we shall try it!

Actually I am also quite afraid to wean her off cos when she is unwell, she can really fuss. Plus we are travelling to NZ in Dec and if we wean her off, we have one less way to comfort her.

Hmmmm…

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/35713https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/35713Wed, 24 Jun 2009 13:51:30 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Pacifier use on Wed, 24 Jun 2009 07:01:26 GMT]]>

M3:
My MIL put Tiger balm on the pacifier in the past to stop my hubby from taking the pacifier. But I dun want to do that.
OMGosh :!: YUCKS ........ Did heard about using chilli, ginger, onion sort of stuff.

One of my cousin switch from pacifier to thumb, as a result her right thumb is deform, as in shorter and more like a knob.

If the child is 2 and above, may want to try using the nail bites solution:

http://www.kiasuparents.com/kiasu/forum/viewtopic.php?t=2486&start=30

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/35642https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/35642Wed, 24 Jun 2009 07:01:26 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Pacifier use on Wed, 24 Jun 2009 05:37:05 GMT]]>That’s really clever, GreenQ!

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/35595https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/35595Wed, 24 Jun 2009 05:37:05 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Pacifier use on Mon, 22 Jun 2009 16:55:11 GMT]]>Hi juz to share...


I stopped my son fr sucking pacifier b4 he turns to 8 or 9 mths. [I only gave him pacifier in his sleeping time. And only gave to this elder son as the youngest son refused pacifier.]

The reason was cos he keep crying once the pacifier dropped fr his mouth after he fall to sleep. That was quite tired for both baby and mummy through out the whole nite.

So I cut the pacifier teat into 3/4 of the original size. Got one big hole. Then I passed to him. Hey... he tried for once, twice, third time.... he took out. Then, he put back into his mouth again. Took out one more time. Diff feeling of sucking it. He didn't feel to suck it.

Then he continued to hold the pacifier for few times when he wanted to sleep. But nv felt to suck it anymore. SUCCEED! 🙂

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/34992https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/34992Mon, 22 Jun 2009 16:55:11 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Pacifier use on Mon, 22 Jun 2009 14:40:52 GMT]]>I read somewhere in my baby care books that pacifier use should be limited to the first two years, for proper dentl development.


In the weeks leading up to his 2nd birthday, I tried many ways to get him to quit, all in vain.

Finally, about 2 wks after he turned 2yrs old, I put the pacific in a small container together with some dark vinegar. I was hoping that even he would be put off by the sour taste of the vinegar.

As it turned out, he thought the pacifier was very dirty & didn't even want to try... SUCCESS 😉

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/34980https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/34980Mon, 22 Jun 2009 14:40:52 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Pacifier use on Mon, 22 Jun 2009 13:35:33 GMT]]>

hairuliza:

Really want to stop him... because of course prolonged usage may misalign his teeth & cause him to wear braces in the future.
#1 did not use pacifier. His milk teeth were neatly lined.

#2 used pacifier. His jaw is larger with many small gaps in between the milk teeth. Good alignment.

I foresee both would need braces becos the adult teeth are so untidy.

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/34973https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/34973Mon, 22 Jun 2009 13:35:33 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Pacifier use on Mon, 22 Jun 2009 13:30:53 GMT]]>I first tried to wean my #2 off his pacifier before he turned one. Almost succeeded as he slept for a couple of nights w/o it. Then he was sick and very hard to coax. So I popped the pacifier into his mouth. It definitely comforted him greatly. So we were stucked with it.


Come his 2nd birthday, I prepped him that he is a young boy, not a baby soon, so we needed to do some adjustment which included throwing all the pacifiers away. He was quite happy with the grown up notion. No fuss at all in the end.

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/34972https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/34972Mon, 22 Jun 2009 13:30:53 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Pacifier use on Mon, 22 Jun 2009 10:40:08 GMT]]>Hi,


I am also trying to wean my girl off the pacifier. She is coming to one year old.

I am very afraid of doing so as she is a difficult baby at night time. She cannot sleep well and the pacifier was our answer. Plus she is also teething and it helps.

My MIL put Tiger balm on the pacifier in the past to stop my hubby from taking the pacifier. But I dun want to do that.

Would also appreciate if I can get other ideas.

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/34958https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/34958Mon, 22 Jun 2009 10:40:08 GMT