When my son, Noah, entered the world, he let out a wail that could rival a siren. After nursing non-stop, he would scream again, drawing the attention of concerned nurses. We joked that it was a bad sign when pediatric nurses noted his piercing cries. Desperate, we resorted to something we swore we wouldn’t: giving him a pacifier, despite the warnings about nipple confusion, disrupted breastfeeding, and potential dental issues. But, like most American parents, we caved—after all, around 58.7% of infants use them. With a simple silicone binky, he calmed down and fell asleep.
In that moment, I realized that some children, like Noah, have a strong need to suck. If he wasn’t nursing, he had a pacifier in his mouth, and honestly, it felt like he was addicted. As orthodontist Kevin O’Brien notes, pacifier use is common among young kids, with about 60–80% engaging in non-nutritive sucking. This explains the vast market for pacifiers and their accessories, readily available at places like Target. In all of Noah’s pictures, a vibrant binky can be seen peeking from his mouth.
The Unexpected Benefits of Pacifiers
One unexpected benefit of pacifier use is its potential safety feature. According to Scientific American, using a pacifier during sleep can reduce the risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) by a staggering 90%. This could be attributed to the way babies tend to drop their pacifiers, leading parents to check on them—an added layer of safety.
Plus, I was keen on avoiding a situation where Noah became a finger sucker, something I personally experienced. My mother took my pacifier away at 10 months, forcing me to suck my two middle fingers for far too long. The result? Years of braces and a permanent retainer. I didn’t want that for Noah, so we embraced the pacifier.
Navigating Life with a Paci Kid
For several years, we navigated life with a paci kid. The New York Times mentioned that prolonged pacifier use can have some negative effects on oral cavity structure, and while Noah’s baby teeth weren’t perfect, his adult teeth are coming in nicely now that he’s been pacifier-free for three years. Dr. Abhinav Sinha has pointed out that increased pacifier use may link to more ear infections and speech delays. Sure, Noah had to lisp around his binky, but we brushed off the concerned comments from older relatives. He would let go of it when he was ready.
And he did. We gradually started leaving it in the car and at home. The last public outing with it was at church, where it helped keep him quiet. Eventually, we attempted bedtime without the pacifier. It was a bit challenging, but it worked; at age 4, Noah was officially no longer “the paci kid.”
When to Wean Off the Pacifier
Some might argue this was too late, but both the American Dental Association and the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry suggest parents should intervene only if kids don’t self-wean by around four years old. We were actually right on track, despite the disapproval from relatives.
Dentist Misee Harris, D.M.D., emphasizes that sucking habits typically only cause issues if they persist for an extended period. So, if your little one is happily sucking on a pacifier, don’t stress! As parenting coach Barbara Desmarais says, “Children naturally let go of these things when they’re ready.” Noah has since moved on from pacifiers and fingers altogether.
Final Thoughts
Perhaps he’ll need braces one day—whether it’s due to pacifier use or our family’s dental history remains to be seen. What I do know is that he needed that pacifier, and I’m grateful we had the confidence to allow him the comfort it provided.
So, if your child is content with their pacifier, relax. Gently encourage them to wean, but let them take the lead. And for those who are quick to judge, remember: we’re all just trying to navigate parenthood in the best way we can, and a little silicone can bring a lot of peace.
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In summary, embrace your child’s pacifier use if it brings them comfort. With time, they will naturally outgrow it, and you can feel confident in your parenting choices.