When Should Kids No Longer Use a Binky?

A pacifier, often called a binky, is probably one of your best friends since you became a parent. That tiny piece of plastic and rubber has the power to soothe and calm your child when nothing else will. For that reason, you might be reluctant to take it away from your little one. The health and oral health reasons to give up the binky are compelling -- taking it away at the right time is critical for preventing these problems.

  1. Timing

    • The precise timing to get rid of the binky is ultimately up to you and your child. Many parents don't want their baby to suck on a pacifier after his first birthday while other parents are content to let their toddler keep his pacifier for a year or two longer. No age is set in stone that dictates exactly when a parent should take the binky away, but the longer you let your child rely on the binky for security and comfort, the harder it will be take it away.

    Object Permanence

    • Object permanence is the ability to remember an object even when it can't be seen. Once your baby develops object permanence, he'll remember his beloved binky and will likely cry and whine for it until you give in and let him have it. Pacifiers can reduce your baby's risk of sudden infant death syndrome and make it easier to get him to sleep, but they serve these purposes early on and don't continue offering these benefits into the toddler and preschool years. For that reason, consider taking the binky away before object permanence starts to develop, which usually occurs between 8 or 9 months of age, according to the PsychCentral website.

    Dental Considerations

    • Though binky use early in life is beneficial, getting rid of the pacifier early on is also important for protecting the health of your baby's teeth and jaw. Prolonged pacifier use can cause your child's teeth to erupt improperly and can cause the front teeth to jut outward farther than normal, according to MayoClinic.com. A 2002 article published in the "Journal of the American Dental Association" reports that pacifier use after the age of 2 can cause damage to your child's mouth arch and can lead to an increased risk of overbite.

    Additional Considerations

    • If your child is prone to ear infections, the binky could be to blame. According to MayoClinic.com, pacifier use can increase the risk of middle ear infections. If you find yourself reaching for the binky to calm and soothe your child in place of cradling or soothing him yourself, you might want to consider giving up the pacifier, recommends the AskDrSears website. Once you decide the time is right, go cold turkey. Consider a special ceremony to get rid of the binky and then help your child find alternate ways to soothe and comfort him such as a special blanket or stuffed animal. Don't give in to his pleas for the binky or it will take much longer to get rid of it for good.

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