Skip to main content
  1. Home
  2. Stages

When you should start taking away baby’s pacifier

By

Babies are born with an instinct to suck. Experts agree that with a pacifier, you can help soothe your little one and even reduce the risk of SIDS. The controversy arises when children become attached to their pacifier and don’t want to let it go. Avoiding this emotional bond is easy when you start taking your child’s binky away at the right moment. With gentle reassurance and good timing, you can wean your baby off pacifiers easily — even if they’re already attached. Here’s a step-by-step guide to help you avoid the feared binky battles.

Mother holding a binky with son
G Antonio Guillem/Shutterstock.com

First window of opportunity to break the binky habit

Age is the determining factor in breaking the binky habit without any troubles. If you’re looking for the easiest time frame to wean your baby from the pacifier, the magic time is between 4 and 6 months. At this age, your little one hasn’t developed an emotional attachment to their binky and will let go of it without complaints.
Here are some tips to gradually take the pacifier out of the picture during these months:

  • Let your baby use the pacifier until they’re almost asleep.
  • Right before they’re completely out, use your pinky to remove the pacifier slowly.
  • Continue to rock them to sleep without popping the binky back in.
  • If your baby starts to wake up too much, put the pacifier back in their mouth and try to remove it again in a few minutes.
  • As baby gets used to sleeping without the pacifier, you can begin to scale back the use of it.
Recommended Videos

When not to take away the pacifier

If you didn’t know or weren’t ready to take away the pacifier before your baby was 6 months old, weaning when they’re older can be traumatic to your little one. Between 6 months and 2 1/2 years of age, children begin to fear separation. If the binky is your child’s comfort item, weaning them at this age is not recommended.

Related

Second opportunity to say bye to the binky

Experts agree that children should wean off their pacifier between 2 and 4 years of age. This helps avoid dental problems and teaches your child to calm themselves. If your toddler hasn’t tossed the binky on their own, they may need a little help from you.
Here’s how you can help them say goodbye to the binky and hello to being a big kid:

Encourage an alternative: If the pacifier helps relieve your child’s stress, you can introduce a replacement that won’t harm their teeth. Many toddlers transfer their attachment to a lovey to help soothe themselves during the daytime. These small blankets or stuffed animals can offer your toddler a sense of security during the day.

Just make sure your child’s lovey doesn’t have any small parts that could represent a choking hazard. Avoid taking this lovey into your child’s crib or toddler bed because they can increase the risk of suffocation.

Limit the binky: Cut back on the use of the binky for naps and nighttime. If your child needs their pacifier to sleep, using it in bed can encourage sleep while still helping them wean off the habit during the day.

Take it slow: Many children don’t accept the lovey right away. If your child needs a more gradual approach, establish a schedule that includes pacifier-free time. This lets your toddler know what to expect and encourages good behavior.

Praise goes a long way: Don’t hold back on complimenting your child as they let go of the pacifier. Toddlers want to please their parents. Charts, parties, and stickers are a great way to motivate young children. They’ll feel so proud of themselves that before you know it, the binky will be gone.

Talk about it: Young children are easier to persuade when you take the time to explain what’s going on. Otherwise, they feel like something is taken away from them and don’t even know why. If your child understands why it’s time to let go of their binky, they’re more likely to cooperate.

Expect regressions: Letting go of the binky is not always straightforward. Some toddlers may start well but miss their pacifier when they realize it’s not temporary. If your little one falls off the wagon, offer your support and encouragement. Be patient and remember it’s as easy as trying again.

Mother lying next to sleeping toddler son
Mongkolchon Akesin / Shutterstock

With love and thoughtfulness, you can help your baby enjoy the soothing benefits of a pacifier and wean them off when the time is right. Whether you do it when they’re very young or wait until the toddler years, the key is to be patient and supportive every stage of the way. Remember, the binky helps your child feel relaxed, while letting it go of it feels stressful. With extra comfort from you, it doesn’t have to be a traumatic experience. Instead, saying goodbye to the binky can be a confidence-booster for your child and for you as a new parent.

Editors’ Recommendations

Topics
NewFolks
NewFolks
Should you be concerned if your toddler walks on their toes? Experts weigh in
When to call your doctor about your toddler's toe-walking
Toddler sitting down with toes pointing towards camera

Walking is a developmental milestone that is exciting not just for parents but for your little one as well. There's a sense of independence your child will gain once they begin walking that opens up a whole new world of exploration. And once your little one has gone from crawler to walker and has their legs firmly beneath them, you may notice another development — toe-walking.

While it may seem like your new walker is destined for stardom as a ballerina, there could be an underlying physiological or developmental cause for why toddlers walk on their toes; instead of just a quirky preference. Here are just a few reasons your little one might toe-walk and what you can do about it.
Why toddlers walk on their toes

Read more
Try these great tips when baby hates tummy time
With these tips, your little one will love tummy time in no time
Baby playing on tummy and reaching for a toy

It's not uncommon for babies to dislike tummy time, especially for those just being introduced to this new position. It can be a bit stressful for parents when their baby starts to cry or squeal the minute they're placed on their stomach, but it doesn't have to be. There are many ways to get a baby to like tummy time; it's just a matter of finding the right strategy for your unique child.

Tummy time is when you place the baby on their belly so they can work their core and neck muscles to get them ready for new activities like rolling over, sitting up, and crawling. Studies have shown that when tummy time isn't as encouraged, babies are likelier not to crawl. They've also shown that babies who spend more time on their tummies crawl sooner. The WHO recommends tummy time which has also been shown to improve gross motor skills and overall development and prevent flat head syndrome.

Read more
Why babies cry and when to worry if they won’t stop
What to do when you can't stop your baby from wailing
Newborn baby girl crying

Crying is a way for babies to communicate. Babies cry for many reasons, but when a newborn won't stop crying, it can be extremely worrisome, especially for new parents. Sometimes, when newborns and older babies continue crying, you may feel like joining in. This is certainly true when you have ruled out all the obvious potential reasons for the crying.

The truth is that the first cry you heard in the delivery room was exciting. Your infant finally arrived and was handed to you wailing away. It was a welcome sound. At home, though, when those cries start coming and don't cease, you may feel frustrated and overwhelmed. Of course, many causes for a crying newborn are straightforward and easy to solve. Others aren't. So, we have your guide for why babies cry and when to start worrying if they don't stop.
Newborn won't stop crying

Read more