Are we encouraging pacifiers?

I used a pacifier for my older son when he went to bed at night....I used it only for 10 months and then I took it off one day and he was fine. I had never used it outside the home. With my second son, I had to start the pacifier only after he was 10 months (when I had to stop nursing due to medication and he was used to nursing to sleep). And I did use it when travelling too (because this little one can have a screaming fit when he wants). But he got so used to the pacifier that it was difficult to get him off it. And to make matters worse, my husband would always stuff it into his mouth when he wanted to put him to bed at night (because it was easier than to make an effort for an extra few minutes). I was mad at first because I wanted to get him off it....and he would cry for an hour or so for it. But then after a few days of hard work, I managed to get him to stop (atleast during the day time and when I would put him to bed at night). He's 17 months now and till he was around 14 months, I would use a pacifier outside the home too because he would refuse to sleep otherwise. But now I don't carry a pacifier when we go outside the home. Conveniently 'losing' some of the pacifiers helped (to stop my husband from sneaking it out) But I'd like to say, it's not easy to entertain a child who doesn't want to when we are outside. I'm the same parent to both parents and am a strict one. But my older son was easier to adapting to new situations while my younger one takes a while...I wouldn't want to disturb everyone by trying to 'discipline' a screaming toddler. But personally, I wouldn't be comfortable with a 2 year old using the pacifier...it's just going to harder to get them off later.

my daughter uses a pacifier she is five months, she doesnt use it all day and she really only uses it to go to sleep. I dont see a problem with them. They are good for stregthening the childs jaws and soothing. But I do agree when they are 2 and running around with them. Now that isnt needed. I think we are going to be putting up her binky wihtin the next couple of months. I think they are fine as long as they are taken away within a reasonable time.

Fortunately both of my kids hated the pacifier so I never persued it. Not sure how true it is about it causing teeth not to come in properly. It's hard to say.

I find that I think that they should have them but just for a while. I see those kids too and wonder why they are still using them! I saw one kid that had one in each hand and one tied around his neck (the mother said he kept losing them) To me that's pure laziness! She doesn't want to deal with his needs! anyway that's just my opinion!

Agree, here is what gets me. When you go to the store and you see a child that is 4 years old sucking on a pacifier, You got to be kidding me. I want to walk up and pull it out. I will admit that my first born used one and there is not to many pictures of her without it she was over the 2 year mark. My second never was allowed to have a pacifier. Do to the fact that pacifiers are very overrated!

I used a pacifier with my first daughter and had so much trouble getting it from her my second daughter got one for about the 1st 3 months and I thought what am I going to do if she won't give it up and went ahead and took it away. She did not seem to mind and I was after that that my second daughter at 2 finally gave hers up.

I agree with you. I think pacifiers only cause the improper growth of the front teeth, plus the children also become so dependent on it. We are responsible for disciplining our own children. We shouldn't depend on the pacifier to control our child's crying and making noise. My kids used pacifiers for about three months. When their teeth started growing, I got rid of them. I did my best to teach them not to be cry babies by not carrying them around too much while they were babies. Fortunately I have never encountered tantrum problems with any one of them.

I really have to agree with you on this one. I believe that it is possible that a baby or young toddler doesn't really need one. I have heard of some mothers with babies or never even used them at all. It does take a matter of patience. My son was one year old when we stopped him with the pacifier. We just remained firm and he didn't put up too much of a fight.