Welcome to "Hey Mom and Dad"—a weekly feature in which we ask our Facebook fans to share their views on parenting. Every week, we get the conversation started by taking a look back at a question we asked parents the week before on Patch Facebook pages from around the area.
Children get accustomed to certain security items and habits at a young age, whether it's sucking their thumb or a pacifier, or holding onto a special blanket or stuffed animal. Some children lose attachment to those items on their own, but in other cases, parents have to help the transition along. That brings us to this week's question:
When should you start weaning your child off security items like pacifiers?
Take a look at what people had to say and join the conversation in the comments section.
Theresa Ferguson: You be their security. They don't need none of it. —on Chicago Heights Patch Facebook
Vicky Jones Rappatta: I think I was 25 when I was ready to wean my child from his pacifier...oh, you meant the kid's age? —on Homewood-Flossmoor Patch Facebook
Luciano Enriquez Valdez Jr.: At age one. —on Evergreen Park Patch Facebook
Melinda Mitchell Moore: No pacifiers after 18 months. Can keep the blanket as long as they like but encourage its use only at naptime/bedtime. —on Palos Patch Facebook
Colleen Cantin Triana: I took away the first child's after 6 months and she was fine. My second never took the pacifier because she stuck her thumb in her mouth...so cute as a baby...now as she is turning 5 soon it is not so cute and we are having a hard time getting her to stop! My advice (not that anyone asked)..if you see them put their thumb in the mouth as an infant, break the habit asap! —on Orland Park Patch Facebook
Linda Henchel Novak: About 18-24 months. I had my daughter give it to the trash man. She was so proud! —on New Lenox Patch Facebook
Jennifer Adair: By 9 months before it becomes too habit forming for both the child and parent. When they are capable of self soothing. Beyond it just pacifies us! —on New Lenox Patch Facebook
Jen Torres-Krause: Pacifier gone at age 3. We told him the binkey fairy needed it for another little baby. He gave it up easily. —on Oak Forest Patch Facebook
Nicole Miroballi: GREAT question!!! I was just talking about this the other day. I go crazy when I see children over the age of 1 with pacifiers. Children should not have them after that age. —on Tinley Park Patch Facebook
Kathy Seeman Mitchell: Pacifiers should go before she 1. Studies have shown they delay speech, causing children not to speak until age 2 or older. That is a very significant delay. I don't think blankets matter much, as long as they aren't hauling them around outside the house. —on Tinley Park Patch Facebook
So what's your take? Tell us in the comments.
