Pacifiers and Your Baby: What They’re Good For—and When It’s Time to Let Go
Pacifiers can feel like lifesavers in the early days of parenthood. Whether it’s calming a crying baby, helping them drift off to sleep, or soothing them in a new or stressful environment, these tiny tools play a big role. But pacifiers also support important oral-motor development during the first months of life—and that’s something many parents aren’t told.
So, when should you use one, which types are best, and how do you know when it’s time to stop? Here’s what you need to know—from a therapeutic, developmental, and speech-language perspective.
Why Pacifiers Matter in the First 6 Months
Babies grow at an incredible pace. Their skulls, jaw bones, and soft tissue structures are all still developing, and everything is more flexible to support that growth. Pacifiers, alongside breastfeeding or bottle feeding, play a part in shaping the hard palate (roof of the mouth), which directly impacts feeding and swallowing skills.
When a baby can maintain a strong hold on a pacifier, it signals a well-integrated sucking reflex—a key developmental milestone. That’s why many therapists and pediatric providers view pacifier use in the first six months as not only appropriate, but therapeutic.
What’s the Best Pacifier for My Baby?
With so many pacifiers on the market (and even more opinions on which one is “right”), choosing can feel overwhelming. From a speech and feeding therapist’s perspective, the best pacifiers are those that mimic natural anatomy and promote a coordinated sucking pattern.
Here are three highly recommended brands for supporting oral-motor development:
Dr. Brown’s
Philips Avent Soothie
Ninni Co.
Each of these is “shell-free,” meaning they’re molded from one solid piece of silicone—no extra pieces, no choking hazards, and safer for active little ones.
What about pacifiers with flatter or bulb-shaped nipples? While they’re not harmful, they do encourage different mechanics. Instead of engaging the same muscles used for feeding, these designs often allow for “munching” or biting, which can interfere with the sucking pattern. If your baby is experiencing difficulty with breastfeeding or bottle feeding, switching to a more anatomically supportive pacifier might make a big difference.
When Should Your Baby Stop Using a Pacifier?
Most experts, including pediatric occupational and speech therapists, recommend weaning by 12 months. Why?
Because prolonged use can interfere with proper tongue posture, facial development, and early speech patterns. The tongue naturally rests on the roof of the mouth, just behind the top teeth. A pacifier displaces the tongue, which can affect swallowing, breathing, and articulation down the road.
If your baby is still using a pacifier as they approach their first birthday, consider beginning the weaning process as early as 6 months. A gentle approach is to limit pacifier use to times when your baby is actively being soothed—then remove it once they’re calm or asleep.
This small shift early on can make the final transition easier later.
What About Thumb-Sucking or Sippy Cups?
As children grow, they often find comfort in other habits—thumb or finger sucking, chewing on soft toys, or sipping from a spouted cup well into toddlerhood. While these behaviors serve a purpose, it’s important to manage them within healthy developmental timelines.
Here’s why: extended use of thumbs, pacifiers, or hard-spouted sippy cups can affect tongue positioning, jaw growth, breathing patterns, and speech. Ideally, transition to:
Straw cups or open cups (no valves) instead of sippy cups
Comfort objects or tactile toys instead of thumbs or pacifiers
Soothing routines with close contact (like skin-to-skin or rocking) to provide emotional comfort without oral-motor input
Need Help With Pacifier Weaning or Oral-Motor Habits?
If your child is:
Still using a pacifier or thumb for comfort past age one
Starting preschool while still thumb-sucking
Struggling with open cup or straw use
Showing signs of speech or feeding delays
We can help. At Pioneer Therapy, our team of skilled Speech-Language Pathologists (SLPs) specializes in pediatric feeding, oral-motor development, and early intervention. We’ll work with you and your child to create a personalized plan that fits your family—and your child’s needs.
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