When Is It Too Old for Pacifier ?

I think pacifiers and bottles should both go in the garbage at one year of age. With my son the mfg.'s of both the bottle nipples (I was using Johnson & Johnson) and the mfg. of the pacifiers I was using both stopped making them. So that made it easy for me I couldn't just go get more. He was upset for 2-3 weeks but got over it very well. The sooner the better.

Personally I think that 2 should be the cut off age. My daughter still uses one, but we have over the last 8 months or so only let her have it at night time and her nap. She will be 2 at the end of the week and we are going to cut a hole in it and she understands enough that we are going to tell her its broken and that she should throw it out. So when she asks for it when its bed time we can tell her Remember it was broken so you threw it in the garbage. I can let you know how this works if you like at the end of the week. Also our Dr. suggested that if she is really connected to it that we dont take it away before then, so she doesnt pick up thumb sucking, which is a much harder habit to break. He also said some kids have a greater need to suck than others. Good Luck!

I agree that 2 is a better age for weaning. Between 2 and 3 I think is ideal so that their teeth don't develop incorrectly. it will be hard at first, but they will eventually go to sleep on their own. Good luck!

Hi, All of the books that I have read say no pacifier after 2. After that I guess it starts to effect there teeth. I was a thumb sucker so I was afraid if I took away my sons pacifier that he would become a thumb sucker. So I did it slowly, first I only allowed him to have it when he went to sleep. When he was still using it at 23 months I put a small a hole in it. It doesn't work the same and he didn't want it anymore. I also made sure he had something to love on. I never let my son watch t.v. in bed but we do have a c.d. player in his room that plays little people. That stays on until he falls asleep. Sleep is one of the hardest things I have gone through with my son. Good luck.

When we decided to get my son off his pacifier, we did it cold turkey. One day we just told him that he was too old for it and we took it away. Sure it was hard and he cry, a lot especially during at nighttime but after a couple of days he did not even miss it. I don't think that it is evil at all since the longer you wait the harder it is going to be for him to let go of it.

18 months is one of those ages where habits form more strongly. For paci use, by 18 mos a child no longer needs it for sucking comfort so it is a great age to be sure they are rid of it. Here's how we did it with 2. For the paci, we quickly made it naps/bedtime only, then bedtime only. We had a few discussions about how only babies need them, not big boys/girls..and big kids get to do (pick a couple of fun places,etc that can be a reward).

We then got rid of all but one pacifier and put a hole in the last one. We gave it to them, they immediately recognized there was something wrong, told us it was broken and we made them throw it away. That night went ok as we talked about the big activity planned for the next day. The following night when they asked for the paci, we reminded them it was broken and they threw it away. Never a problem again....and that was with both my son and my daughter.

My son is 8 months old and I am try to take it away step by step. It works for him. I konw it is difficult for you but you should try it. I dance with him untill he sleeps.

Sorry for the harshness.. but get rid of it and the movie... they are going to cry now or later what is the difference.. the movie is definetly a poor choice to get them to sleep... read them a book instead.... please they get way to much tv as is... but to have them sleep with a movie... get him something he can play with in the crib... good luck..

I have a 2 1/2 year old son who still uses a pacifier to sleep. He understands that it is only for nap time and night time, so does not use it during the day when awake. We will start weaning him off it completely closer to 3 years old. After 3 1/2 is too old for a pacifier in my opinion. I agree you should stop the movie, but I would not take away both at the same time. Take away the TV first. Then if you want think about taking away the pacifier in stages. Maybe start by stopping it during awake time. Then stop it during day time naps. Ease him off it gradually. Good luck!

My daughter finally gave hers up at 2.5 years old. We told her that the Easter Bunny took it to give to new babies that didn't have pacifiers and gave her a basket full of toys and candy instead. She was so addicted to the binkie that I thought for sure she would cry for days on end. Turns out she cried for 20 minutes and that was about it. If I had known that was all the trauma it would involve, I would have taken it away sooner - probably around age 2.

I'd say just get rid of it (and the movie) cold turkey now - it's not going to be any easier in 6 months. He'll get over it very quickly - probably in a couple days. Just tell your husband to give it a try for a week, and if it's not better in that time you can rethink it. (I guarantee it will be). Give him some books to look at in bed if he's not tired when you put him down.