I have no problems with infants/toddler and a pacifer

But I think when the kids, yes kids are 4 &6 ish, its time to take it away

Message edited 11/29/2007 8:56:01 PM.

Re: I have no problems with infants/toddler and a pacifer

you so aren't kidding.... i am going to try and hopefully only use a binkie for the first few months... i don't want her getting too used to it.

Re: I have no problems with infants/toddler and a pacifer

ITA! My sisters kids still have them, they are 3 and 4 and its so hard for her to ween them. Thats why I never gave one to Julia, I didn't want to deal with weening her....

Re: I have no problems with infants/toddler and a pacifer

I was amazed watching this woman with her two kids today. I swear the older one was 6 if he was a day! both of them sucking on pacifiers, they were potty trained (I saw this family in the ladies room at playhouse disney) so why the hell would you still let your 1st grader be sucking a bo-bo??

Re: I have no problems with infants/toddler and a pacifer

To each their own....I had 4 pacifiers on the go when I was 4 and I have had no long term side effects to date!

Re: I have no problems with infants/toddler and a pacifer

We use one very sparingly. Only when in public places or the car and only if nothing else works.

Re: I have no problems with infants/toddler and a pacifer

Here's what I don't get- why is it so hard to wean? Take it away..... you're 4 year old can't drive his/herself to BRU and buy new ones!!

Yes, they will cry- but they'll get over it!

Re: I have no problems with infants/toddler and a pacifer

ITA with all the above.
We offered one to DS, but, he never really liked it.
If he did take to it, I would have only gave it to him at nap/bed time. His First Bday, we would wave "ByeBye" to it.
When I see kids (4 or older) in the mall or store (whereever) I turn to DH and just say "And that's why Im glad he didn't take to it".

Re: I have no problems with infants/toddler and a pacifer

Not a fan of them at all. For toddlers either, over a certain age.

However, my DD s ucks her thumb, I wish I could take it away . So much harder!

Message edited 11/29/2007 9:25:59 PM.

Re: I have no problems with infants/toddler and a pacifer

Re: I have no problems with infants/toddler and a pacifer

I cannot even imagine my 4.5 year old with one. She got rid of hers when she turned 2.5 and I thought that was pretty old.

Then again, who am I to judge?

The most important thing I've learned as a mom is that you never know what someone's situation is until you've walked in their shoes. Hell, my 2 year old daughter STILL doesn't sleep through the night unless she's in MY bed. I'm sure people would judge me for that too...saying "why not just let her CIO, etc..." But it's never as easy or simple as that.

Re: I have no problems with infants/toddler and a pacifer

It doesn't bother me to see it. I really dont see it that often though. I wouldn't want my own child to have one at that age but like parents who have potty training battles with their kids, you can't always control when they will give it up. My SIL's friend's daughter still has one at 7 - not walking around with it everyday but we stayed overnight at my SIL's lakehouse this summer with them and she had it when she was watching TV and going to bed. The poor kid...she has some issues so I felt bad for her, clearly it represented some kind of comfort for her.

My older son was so easy to wean. He was a little over 2 years old and at that point was only using it for naps and night time. But he adapted so easy, never asked for it again and I had a whole plan for a binkie fairy scenario that I never needed to use. My DD never wanted one but my DS #2 still uses one at 18 months. I don't even give it a second thought bc of how DS #1 weaned. Hopefully *crosses fingers* he'll be as easily adaptable.

Re: I have no problems with infants/toddler and a pacifer

To be honest, I couldn't care less what other people do with their kids. But my friends daughter is giving her paci to Santa this year in exchange for gifts. Hopefully that should work!

Re: I have no problems with infants/toddler and a pacifer

My DD is 19 months and unfortunately I don't see weaning in the near future. I really don't like that she still has it. I'm kind of ashamed of myself for letting her have it still, but sometimes it really does comfort her like nothing else can. I *try* to only let her have it in the car or when she is going to sleep, but I always have one with me in case she has a meltdown while we are out someplace.

Re: I have no problems with infants/toddler and a pacifer

I agree--and as a speech language pathologist I have seen too many kids who end up with speech and dental problems because they hung on to their pacifiers for too long. When the child is talking with it in their mouth, it is time to get rid of it.

Re: I have no problems with infants/toddler and a pacifer

you, I totally agree. Actually I personally do not think that toddlers should be on them as well. This is MY personal opinion. It ruins the childs teeth and their speech (I've seen it a lot amoungst friends and family). I did not have my daughter use a pacifier nor will I will this one. Just a personal decision.

Re: I have no problems with infants/toddler and a pacifer

Re: I have no problems with infants/toddler and a pacifer

It doesn't really bother me much, especially if they're using it mainly for comfort at nap/sleep time. My one small worry is that if the kid has it in their mouth all day would it affect their speech?

Re: I have no problems with infants/toddler and a pacifer

Re: I have no problems with infants/toddler and a pacifer

My niece is 2 1/2 and her ped told my sister that it was time to take it away cold turkey. My sister did and she has been without for over a week already.

Re: I have no problems with infants/toddler and a pacifer

I am glad that my dd never got into using one. We have one that is lying in her pnp, sometimes she will pick it up and chew on it for a minute but then she throws it right down

4 is WAY to old IMO to have one

Message edited 11/30/2007 9:16:05 AM.

Re: I have no problems with infants/toddler and a pacifer

All I have to say is thank goodness DD self weaned at 5mths. I thought it was to young at the time but I guess it's better than arguing with an older toddler to take it out of their mouth.