We have all seen preschoolers with pacifiers firmly lodged in their mouths.

Often people are amazed that parents let their children use them for so long. But, if you are the parent of a child addicted to their binky, you will know the peace that comes from it’s use and the battles that occur when you suggest it needs to go! A lot of parents accept it’s use until the first birthday, with a vast majority trying to wean them off their pacifier by the second birthday.

First off, decide when the time is right. Encourage your child to give up the pacifier when he's reached an important "big boy" or "big girl" milestone eg a birthday, moving to a big bed. Ensure there are no major changes or stresses occurring in your child’s life. Decide if you’re going to go ‘cold-turkey’ or ‘slowly but surely’.

Here are some strategies that you can try:

• Try offering rewards eg a family outing or a new toy.
• Many parents try cutting a small hole in the pacifier. The child thinks it is ‘broken’ and often simply stop using it.
• Arrange a visit from the Binky Fairy. She comes and collects pacifiers (often from outside your front door overnight) and gives them to new babies who need them. In exchange she often leaves a little treat.
• Enlist your dentist’s assistance. Prior to their dental appointment, contact the dentist and ask them to talk to your child about pacifiers and teeth development. Often hearing the suggestion from an ‘authority’ can encourage children to give up the habit.
• You could try a slower method of weaning them off their pacifier. Set some rules for pacifier use, allow them to use it in the car, stroller and bedroom. Then only for naps and at bedtime. Make bedtime the last one to go. You may have some rough nights but stick to your decision and try and be as positive as possible with your child.
• Some parents use a product such as ‘Thum’ which helps children to stop sucking their thumb. Coat the pacifier with the bitter tasting liquid.
• If you’re trying the cold-turkey method, try doing it on a quiet weekend when nothing is planned. You may have a lot of tears and broken sleep, so be prepared for the worst – you may be pleasantly surprised!
• Keep your sense of humor. All children give up their pacifiers sooner or later. Good luck!

Parent Tips

Marnie writes: “My 3-year-old son used to LOVE his pacifier. He learned to speak with it in his mouth, walked around with a spare one in his hand and had others hidden in various places around the house. He is my youngest child and my other two children gave up their pacifiers when they were 2. One day we saw a Transformer toy being advertised on the television and he said he wanted it. I said I would buy it for him if he stopped using his pacifier TODAY! Ha, I thought there was no way he’d do it, BUT HE DID! He gathered them up from around the house and we ceremoniously put them out in the trash can. That night we had tears and he asked if he could get one from the trash but I cuddled him and told him Transformer stories and the trash can was never visited.. He was obviously ready.”

Melissa writes: “I actually let my daughter use her pacifier until she was 4. We restricted its use - but basically she loved it and it wasn’t a problem for me. She could only use it on her bed. It wasn’t allowed to be used anywhere else. When she started kindergarten she simply stopped using it because of the social pressures.”