A pacifier is a wonderful tool for babies and parents. It comforts and soothes baby and gives everyone a break from crying. At some point, however, the pacifier needs to go so your child learns to soothe herself. Also, long term pacifier use can damage the integrity and positioning of your child’s teeth. When the time comes, here are some tips for weaning baby off the pacifier.

1. Solve the base problem

As your child gets older, she probably won’t want a pacifier every minute of the day or even nearly as often as she would when she was an infant. She’ll want it for specific situations, like just before bed, meeting new people, long car trips, etc. Find out what is about these situations that make your child desire the pacifier and solve them. For example, if your child wants a pacifier in a large crowd, stay toward the edge of the group and give some space to reduce anxiety.

2. Teach other self-soothing techniques

Your child won’t stop becoming anxious, scared, angry, sad or frustrated just because you tossed out the pacifier. She’ll need to find other ways to soothe herself – other than thumb or finger sucking. Distract her with some fun play or come up with a transitional object to make her feel comfortable.

3. Trade it in for something else

Have your child pick out something new that will be a substitute. This has to be something they really want. You can offer a bargain, “Turn in your pacifier and I’ll buy you that new special toy.” At the checkout counter, they have to turn it over. Is this bribing? No, bribing is a payment after a behavior, this is a transaction. When they ask for the pacifier back later on, tell them they have to return the toy then.

4. Use peer pressure

Keep your child in situations where pacifiers aren’t expected. You can send her to play groups with other kids who don’t use pacifiers so she sees her peers don’t need them. Or put her in situations that require lots of talking or facial movements where a pacifier isn’t practical.

5. Take it away when it’s not necessary

Don’t let your child run around happily playing with the binky in her mouth, or contently watch that Disney move and sucking away. If she doesn’t need the pacifier at the moment, take it away and keep it out of site . When she gets tired or upset, only offer it if she asks or becomes really distressed. Always try to comfort in other ways first.

If you struggle weaning your child off the pacifier, consider that it just might be too early and that’s OK. Every child is different and develops at their own pace. 

Written by Alicia Overby - Founder & President of Baby Elephant Ears

Alicia is wife, mother, and creator of Baby Elephant Ears. Baby Elephant Ears was created out of parental concern, not financial desire. In 2005, when their second child was an infant, he cried all the time and just couldn't seem to get comfortable.

After seeking advice and suggestion from the medical community and alternative medicine, they eventually ended up in the chiropractors office where their baby was successfully treated for asubluxation, discomfort most likely the result of the strain during labor, which was now being exacerbated by the normal lack of infant neck strength. Only proper neck, head, and back alignment would offer him relief. When they couldn't find a product to give their baby the necessary support, Alicia took matters into her own hands and crafted her own infant support pillow. The first Baby Elephant Ears was born!

For more information, visit www.babyelephantears.com.

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