How to wean a child off a pacifier

Most of the parents consider the pacifier to be one of the necessary things for the child, and the children are so attached to the pacifier that leaving it becomes a matter that needs to be arranged, and the mothers wonder about How to wean a child off a pacifier Learn with us, in this article, some tips so that you can wean your child off the pacifier and some of the advantages and disadvantages of using the pacifier with children.

Advantages of using a pacifier for a child

For some babies, pacifiers are one of the reasons that keep the baby calm and they have many other benefits as follows:

  • A pacifier may help your baby sleep, but it does not affect the length of sleep.
  • A pacifier may relieve discomfort during flights or airplane travel.
  • A pacifier may help reduce the risk of sudden infant death syndrome.

Disadvantages of using a pacifier for a child

Mothers may ask about how to wean the child off the pacifier due to the age of the child or the appearance of some bad effects resulting from the child’s continued use of the pacifier for long periods, including the following:

Preferring a pacifier over breastfeeding

If you are breast-feeding, you should avoid offering your baby a pacifier for the first few weeks so that your baby can get used to the feel and shape of your natural nipple as well as buy some time for your milk supply to start increasing and for you to be able to breastfeed.

ear problems

According to one study, children who use pacifiers are more likely to have bacterial ear infections, especially the middle ear, more frequently than children who do not use a pacifier.

Dental problems

Before reaching the age of two, any problems with dental development are usually corrected within 6 months of stopping the use of the pacifier, but after the completion of the two years, your child’s front or bottom teeth can begin to misalign, causing dental problems to worsen later. .

How to wean a child off a pacifier

In this part of the article, we show you some tips that you can implement in order to be able to wean your child off the pacifier as follows:

Stop giving the baby a pacifier

This is not the right method for everyone, but many parents feel that simply stopping offering the pacifier to the child is the fastest way to get rid of this habit, and you should expect some temper tantrums that may last for some time, but eventually the child will get used to leaving it.

Dampen the pacifier

If you want to know how to wean the child off the pacifier, you can try dipping the pacifier in lemon juice, or consult a doctor or pharmacist about preparations that you can add to the pacifier in order to help your child leave it in a healthy way, or make a small hole in the end of the pacifier, which makes it less pleasant to suck for for the child, and repeat it until your child gets used to leaving it.

Set specific pacifier times

Start setting limits on the time the pacifier can be used, and choose times when the child is busy with a new toy, playing with other children, or you are out with the child until the child begins to forget the pacifier and gets used to leaving it.

After you get to know some tips about How to wean a child off a pacifier You must be prepared for the tantrums and tension that the child will make when you stop giving him the pacifier, and it may take some time, with our wishes for good health and wellness for you and your family.