How old is *too* old for a binky?

Discuss.

Re: How old is *too* old for a binky?

IMO, if your baby still has it at 3, it's time to start weening. But, every baby is different. I plan on weening Steven after 2 years old.

Re: How old is *too* old for a binky?

I'm not sure, but I did see a kid at the park turn to his father and say very clearly "Here dad, hold my pacifier." I figure that it's probably time to think about getting rid of the thing.

Re: How old is *too* old for a binky?

I'm sure I'm in the minority, but I'm just not a big pacifier fan. I personally think they should be gone by 6 months. But of course that's just my opinion. I feel like the older they get, the harder it is to get them off the pacifier. If they've had it long enough to rationalize that they are now too old for it, or they now need to pass it on to the other babies out there- then they have already passed the point where they should have it. I don't want to get flamed, this is just my thinking. I have plenty of friends whose kids use a binky and I never push my thoughts on it- but the post asked.

Re: How old is *too* old for a binky?

i say by 2 they are done

Re: How old is *too* old for a binky?

Re: How old is *too* old for a binky?

Posted by pmpkn087

Posted by nferrandi

I'm sure I'm in the minority, but I'm just not a big pacifier fan. I personally think they should be gone by 6 months. But of course that's just my opinion. I feel like the older they get, the harder it is to get them off the pacifier. If they've had it long enough to rationalize that they are now too old for it, or they now need to pass it on to the other babies out there- then they have already passed the point where they should have it. I don't want to get flamed, this is just my thinking. I have plenty of friends whose kids use a binky and I never push my thoughts on it- but the post asked.

I feel the same way, or should I say I used to feel the same way. Unfortunately, DS does not agree

He uses it only for nap and a little at bed time. Otherwise, I leave it in the crib. But at nap time he really looks for it. Not what I had planned, but I'm too tired to fight with him over it.

I don't think anyone SHOULD flame you. And if they do, shame on them. You are entitled to your opinion

Re: How old is *too* old for a binky?

Posted by nferrandi
I just really don't like when I see kids with binkys in their mouths at ALL times. And when it falls out and the kid seems just fine, the binky is still put back in their mouth. That just kind of bothers me.

Re: How old is *too* old for a binky?

Ok, I will totally get flamed for this, but nothing bugs me more than seeing a walking toddler with a paci. With that, I mean a child older than 2... Both my kids used a paci for 3 months before finding their thumb. I wish they hadn't because you can't take away their thumb. I'm all for taking it away before a year IMHO.

Re: How old is *too* old for a binky?

18 months. thats what my pediatrician told me. we are on day 5 of no pacifier. she asked for it once today and is doing great.

Re: How old is *too* old for a binky?

I think they look so darn cute with the binky as INFANTS, but 12-14 months is IT for me.

Toddlers with binkies are a no-no for me. ESP anything over age 2.

Re: How old is *too* old for a binky?

Re: How old is *too* old for a binky?

I just this week said we really have to get rid of the pacifer. Sara is 17 months and ony uses it iin the car and to sleep in the crib. Once in a while if she is very tired in her stroller but thats it. When Sara wakes in the morning she holds it while I change her diaper and then puts it in her crib and says bye bye to it. Once they are in her crib I do hide them in her draw bc she will look for them at times. I would like to see the binky totally gone by the time she is 2

Re: How old is *too* old for a binky?

Posted by pmpkn087

Posted by nferrandi
I just really don't like when I see kids with binkys in their mouths at ALL times. And when it falls out and the kid seems just fine, the binky is still put back in their mouth. That just kind of bothers me.

I think sometimes it's more convenient for the parents to keep the kid quiet. Honestly. So many times I see the binky come out of the mouth and the parent puts it back in. If the kids not looking for it, then don't offer it.

Re: How old is *too* old for a binky?

Well I guess most of you would be highly offended if you saw my daughter. She's almost 2 and still uses it and I really have no plans of taking it away until she can understand why and understand trading it for something. I figure that will probably be sometime in the next 6-12 months. I just am not up for the battles that surround taking it away cold turkey. That's just me. If I felt it was hindering her in any way then I might feel otherwise but it's not. She clearly uses it less and less as time goes on so I feel like she'll work toward giving it up on her own with a little help from us at some point.

Re: How old is *too* old for a binky?

personally I feel 6 months old it should be taken away because if you wait until they are 2yrs or older they will be too attached and it will be harder to take it away

Re: How old is *too* old for a binky?

I think it depends on the child. Honestly, if I were to take Ava's binky away tomorrow, I don't think she'd care, but it's not harming anyone, so I don't give a crap if someone doesn't like seeing her with it.

Re: How old is *too* old for a binky?

After a child turns one it has to go. I find it increadibly disturbing when a toddler warks around with a pacifier in his/her mouth and I do see ity a lot. Not even when they are upset, just walking around with it...

Message edited 7/30/2007 11:04:16 PM.

Re: How old is *too* old for a binky?

By the age of 1 year or when they are walking in my opinion becasue I think it looks odd to see a walking toddler with a pacifier in his/her mouth. I know some need them to sleep and that is fine up to about age 3 I think. Ideally, I'd get rid of them completely by 9 months or so.

Re: How old is *too* old for a binky?

IMO (and my ped) 3 yrs is too old..

DS still uses his "mimi" but to be quite honest no one ever even sees it in his mouth, unless he is sleeping/napping, or in the car.

He rarely and I mean RARELY gets it outside of the home, but I wont say never.

My Dr has no concerns re: DS binky. He talks just fine (in complete sentences), its not disrupting him developmentally in anyway. If a binky is what it takes for DS to feel comfort- why take it away from him?

With that said- DS is going to be 2- I have no intentions of weaning him anytime soon- however sometime before he is 3 we will donate them to another baby

Re: How old is *too* old for a binky?

I just re-read the responses on this thread, and Im not saying anyone is wrong, nor that I am right...

But for the most part- the reasoning for everyone determining the age of "too old for binky" is because it "dosent look right"

Stripes and plads dont look right either, but that dosent mean I am going to tell someone not to wear it...

Re: How old is *too* old for a binky?

I think everyone has to decide that for their own child. My niece is 3 and uses it in high stress situations, they really help her get thru them. Would I want my kid to use them at 3, no, but I think that parents pick their battles with their kids, and it is not my place to judge that. Some kids get more attached to things then others.

Re: How old is *too* old for a binky?

Ryan uses the paci to fall asleep. It usually falls out while he is sleeping and he does not wake up looking for it. I see no problem giving him the paci to fall asleep as long as he wants it. I think sleep is too important and I will not take it away because it 'doesn't seem right'. If he needs it for comfort, I have no problems with that.

Re: How old is *too* old for a binky?

I think it really depends on the kid. Though, generally, you are supposed to start weaning them around 2 because otherwise it poses a risk factor in the development of their teeth.

For us, we will be using them until she's 2. My daughter has, and always had, a VERY strong sucking reflex. When she was younger, she nursed like a fiend. Now, she uses the paci for naps and bedtime only.

Re: How old is *too* old for a binky?