Binky, soother, paci, dummy — whatever you call it, this little lifesaver has one big job: keeping your baby calm and cozy. But is it time to get rid of the pacifier? Oh, dear. That sweet sucking motion isn’t just adorable — it can provide serious support. Pacifiers have been linked to lowering the risk of SIDS, helping preemies get out of the NICU faster, and even easing the ouch during medical procedures. But let’s be real — as magical as pacis are, there comes a time to part ways. After all, you won’t see a high schooler strolling into class with a binky in their backpack.
When to Wean: Making the Decision
Pick your weaning moment. There’s no hard-and-fast rule from the American Academy of Pediatrics about when to say bye-bye to the paci, but most experts give the green light to start weaning anytime between ages 1 and 3. Dr. Lori Feldman-Winter, a pediatric pro, says that window is prime time to make the pacifier disappear — no magic wand required!
Sometimes parents are concerned that pacifiers might contribute to speech problems, but there’s no solid body of evidence linking the two, said Diane Paul, Ph.D., a speech-language pathologist at the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association. Two small studies — one of about 70 2-to-6.5-year-olds in Arkansas and another of about 200 preschoolers in Australia, published in 2008 and 2018 respectively — found no difference in speech difficulties between children who used a pacifier and those who did not.
“If there’s a link at all, it’s for preschool children who’ve used the pacifier for three years or more,” said Paul, but larger studies are still needed to tease out these differences. Another concern parents may have is that a pacifier might disrupt breastfeeding, but if your child is already using a pacifier, this fear isn’t backed by solid science. The research on whether pacifiers interfere with successful breastfeeding is mixed and comes from the first few months of life, especially from the time before breastfeeding is fully established. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends waiting to introduce a pacifier until after breastfeeding is well established, which means breastfeeding is going well and the baby is gaining weight and is able to latch and feed effectively, without causing any pain in the mother.
Pick Your Get Rid of the Pacifier Plan
Ready to kiss the pacifier goodbye? There’s no one right way to do it — it’s all about what works best for your kiddo (and you!). You know your little one better than anyone, so go with a method that feels right and that you can actually stick with. Here are three tried-and-true (and totally doable) options:
Go Cold Turkey
Rip off the Band-Aid! Explain to your child what’s about to go down, then — boom — no more paci. Not ready to go full throttle? Try a slow fade: limit the paci to car rides and bedtime first, then just bedtime… then poof, it’s gone.
Offer a Reward
Let your little negotiator in on the plan: “Say goodbye to your paci, and you’ll get something awesome!” This could be a shiny new toy, a trip to the zoo, cookie-baking day, or letting them choose dinner (hello, pancakes for dinner). Heads up — this method isn’t great for under-1s, since the whole “deal-making” thing is still a mystery to them.
Call in the Paci Fairy
Yes, she’s real (and very sparkly). Tell your child the Paci Fairy is coming to collect their pacifiers and leave behind a surprise — just like the Tooth Fairy, but with less dental work. If storytelling isn’t your thing, there are plenty of adorable picture books that do the heavy lifting. This one’s best for kids 2 and up, though — toddlers under 2 might be more confused than charmed.
Get Yourself Ready, Too
Let’s be real — saying goodbye to the pacifier isn’t just a journey for your kiddo … it’s a team effort. And that means you’ve gotta prep yourself for the ride! No matter which weaning method you go with, here are four key things to keep in mind to make the process a little smoother (and maybe even a little sweeter):
Stay Strong
Consistency is your secret weapon; you’ve got to stick with it. If you take the paci away, then give in and hand it back mid-meltdown, your kid learns, “Hey, I just need to scream louder next time!” (Yikes.) Everyone in the house has to be on the same page — no rogue grandparents sneaking in binky breaks. Tiny exception: If your little one ditches the pacifier and immediately trades up for thumb-sucking? That’s a harder habit to break (can’t exactly hide the thumbs). In that case, Paul says it’s totally fine to bring the pacifier back and try again in a few months.
Keep It Simple
No need for a TED Talk. Just give your child a heads-up with something like, “We’re saying goodbye to your binky tomorrow.” That’s it! No big speeches or complicated explanations — toddler brains aren’t built for deep debates just yet. Short, sweet, and clear is the way to go, especially if your child is on the younger end.
Stay Chill
Try to stay calm, cool, and binky-neutral. If your child melts down, that’s okay — validate those big feelings. A simple, “I know you miss your pacifier,” or “This is really hard for you,” goes a long way. And remember: paci removal is not a punishment. Don’t use it as a consequence, but do offer tons of praise when your kid goes without it — positive vibes only!
Bring in Backup
Once the pacifier is gone, your child might go through a bit of a comfort crisis. That’s your cue to pull out your soothing superhero cape. Have a stash of comfort tools ready: cuddles, back rubs, bedtime stories, soft music, stuffed animals, favorite blankies — whatever helps your little one wind down.
And don’t worry — if you find yourself lying in bed with your toddler for a few nights (or, okay, a week), that doesn’t mean you’ll be doing it forever. The need for extra comfort is totally normal — and temporary.
You’ve got this! A little prep, a lot of love, and maybe some earplugs … and you’ll get rid of the pacifier at last.
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