Suddenly Not Wanting Pacifier

Updated on July 20, 2010
A.E. asks from Lake Stevens, WA
37 answers

I am wondering if anyone has had their child suddenly not want their pacifier anymore?? My son is 13 months old, and has absolutely loved his pacifier since birth. Then suddenly last week whenever I put it in his mouth he pulls it out?? This has been going on for about 4 days or so and he seems kind of miserable with out it?? He wont keep it in his mouth, he just holds onto it instead?? The only thing I can think of is that his top two teeth have been coming in and are now poking through. Maybe it feels weird with his new teeth?? I have no idea, I just find it odd that he found comfort in it a week ago, and now he wants nothing to do with it??

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L.S.

answers from Seattle on

If he is done now - sounds like it is fine, so no worries. How very much easier to let him decide then for you to try to wean him from it later.

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T.J.

answers from Seattle on

It's a good thing that he quit using it on his own, many people have to trick their older toddlers into getting rid of it! My daughter took it out the week of her first birthday and never looked back. I think if he was truly miserable without it he would put it back in. I'd give him other teething toys perhaps or let him chew on teething biscuits or frozen pizza crust when he seems miserable, maybe it is his teeth?

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L.C.

answers from Seattle on

I'd say, Yeah! Get rid of them if he doesn't want them. It will make life a lot easier if he isn't attached to them.
My 1st daughter did that, one day she just didn't want it anymore. I know it was right before her 1st birthday. My second daughter would have kept it until kindergarten if we let her (although we gave them to the binky fairy before she was 3) and my son never used one at all. He hated the binky.

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H.B.

answers from Seattle on

When my son was 4-5 months old, he used his pacifier and then one day-he kept spitting it out. After 3 days of him spitting it out, he didn't want it anymore. I always encouraged the pacifier because I didn't want him to become a thumb or finger sucker (orthodontist issues later in life).
Don't question it. It's just time for him to move on.

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S.V.

answers from Portland on

Hi A., It may be hurting when he sucks/chews on the pacifier while his teeth are coming in. but this is the perfect time to get rid of it. Right around 12 months you can get rid of it and it is not going to be such a dramatic experience for him. Take advantage!! S.

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H.S.

answers from Seattle on

Embrace this chance to get rid of the pacifier!! It could be it has something on it that doesn't wash off with water and therefore tastes different, most kids, if they like a pacifier, still take one with teeth. My nieces used theirs til they were almost 4 which really slowed down their ability to talk. My five year old niece will be starting school and it's hard to understand her because she learned all of her words around a binky in her mouth. My daughter didn't take one, but my son does (he's 7 months) and the goal is to wean him off it by the time he is one, otherwise it could mess up his teeth and jaw, not to mention hinder his ability to learn to talk. I'd say you'd do well to work with this sudden aversion, whatever the cause, and get him to focus on a new comfort object, like a stuffed animal or a blanket.

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A.M.

answers from Portland on

Take advantage of it and throw it away!

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K.L.

answers from Seattle on

Hurray....usually it's the OTHERWAY around. I think it is great that your child no longer want his pacifier. Take this chance and get it away from him. Usually, it's tough to get them off of it.

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T.H.

answers from Seattle on

Hi - I think it sounds like he is teething and it is uncomfortable for him to suck on it. I would be thankful that he may me starting to not want a pacifier! Believe me, it can be really hard getting them to give them up! I would just go with the flow and if he doesn't want it, then that is okay. Give him some Tylenol for pain, maybe that will make a difference too.

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J.J.

answers from Portland on

Hello, I have to say my son went through the same thing but at around six months. He cut the pacifier cold turkey, and he seemed like he wanted it but then he wouldn't take it. So I just quit giving it to him. He forgot about it and all is well. If he's still fussy, distract him with other things he can put in his mouth like teething rings, wet rag, etc. You should be relieved that you don't have to wean him off the pacifier! :)

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L.O.

answers from Seattle on

My daughter did this with her first tooth. We just took away all the pacifiers and used other techniques to help soothe her.
Best of luck!

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M.S.

answers from Seattle on

Looking at this in another way, I think you are not seeing how lucky that you are. Your child is ready to be done with his pacifier--this means that he won't go through having to be weaned from it when he starts school. This means that he isn't as likely to have orthodontic problems when he is older. I think allowing him to just hold it and choosing weather or not to place it in his mouth is fine. Relax, it's fine.

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D.G.

answers from Anchorage on

GO with it!!! my son was about 10 months when he just lost intrest in it. it is great that you won't have to fight him about it later! he was also great about weaning from breastfeeding..i think i had a harder time!

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M.C.

answers from Seattle on

Take advantage of this while you can!!! Get rid of the paci!

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M.R.

answers from Anchorage on

It is always nice that they give up the pacifier, but it is not good to have a crabby baby either. If he is teething I swear on the "teething tablets" they are all natural and are amazing. My stepmom told me about them and I have used them for both my girls (4yo and 16mo) and never have had a problem at all. You can find them at walmart and freddies. When either of my girls would get fussy and I had check all other possibilities I would give them the tablets and they would settle right down.
Good Luck.

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J.H.

answers from Portland on

Wow take that as a blessing! Our personal age of freedom from pacifiers is 1. Our 1st 2 were addicts and the last 2 didn't want them. Just be glad you didn't have to go through that wonderful experience of weaning him from his pacifier! That is not an experience I wish to repeat:)

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L.S.

answers from Seattle on

I don't want to sound harsh but your child is done with the pacifier. I don't think that 13 month olds have any need of a pacifier. If I were you I would be happy that he weened himself and that you didn't have to do it.

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D.M.

answers from Seattle on

Hi, I am a mother of 3 and my youngest son did the same thing around 14 months. At the time my 3 year old daughter still used one too. When he decided he did not want it, I took that as a blessing since it had been terrible trying to get my daughter to give hers up.

My advise would be to let him make the decision and stop offering it.

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B.D.

answers from Seattle on

My son got himself off the pacifier/binky and the bottle on his own. Some children will take time, others will do it early. :D

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B.G.

answers from Portland on

Sounds like your assessment of the situation is correct. Teeth! His lower teeth could be starting to bother him as well. As long as he is content with holding it, I'd just relax. Some people have a tough time weaning their kids off of it. I'd say that if he does it for you, then all the better!

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C.T.

answers from Seattle on

I can't tell you exactly why your son is suddenly rejecting his pacifier, but I would suggest that you take his cue and allow him to move on. He is doing himself what most children end up having forced upon them. By getting rid of his pacifier voluntarily, he is saving you from the torture of doing it later and possibly even the problems pacifiers can cause for proper development of teeth. If you're concerned about him needing some form of soothing, try a few other things, such as blankets, stuffed animals, music, etc.--even baby orajel if he realy is teething-- But I think this is a positive step rather than a negative one, even if it is a little frustrating at first.

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C.J.

answers from Portland on

Perhaps he's starting to try and talk? I know that's when my son started forming new words and when he wanted to babble he'd take his pacifier out. Once we figured out he was trying to communicate, we stopped giving it to him during the day and he only used it when he slept. If he doesn't seem to want it then don't force it on him. He may not need it anymore.

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S.K.

answers from Seattle on

I would be all for my 13 month old daughter's new found unreliance on her binky, if it were't for the screaming and crying we have to endure every nap/bedtime. She used to lay down in her crib with binky and blankie, wave good night to me and then roll over and go to sleep. Now she refuses to take the binky and just cries. I feel like we have taken a huge step backwards in the world of sleep and have no idea how to help her calm down. We let her cry and after about 30 minutes she usually falls asleep. We are on week 2 and I don't know if I can take much more of it. Has anyone gone through this having come out with a more peaceful ending?

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M.P.

answers from Portland on

Pediatric dentists recommend removing the pacifier once the baby is getting teeth, especially the front ones. A pacifier can cause the teeth to grow in incorrectly.

So many parents have difficulty getting their toddler to let go of the pacifier. I'd encourage him to not use the pacifier. You don't want the hassle of getting rid of it later.

My grandson never liked the pacifier. Actually, neither did my granddaughter. They both have specific stuffed animals as loveys. He will gain comfort from some othr object or maybe he won't want another object. He knows what he needs. Follow his lead.

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S.S.

answers from Seattle on

Dear A.,

My two year old has never liked pacifiers so she never used the ones I bought. Our dentist said a pacifier was not good for babies anyway, especially after they get teeth. so if your little one does not want to suck on it right now it is a good time to get rid of it. Maybe you can get a couple of teething toys. There are some really cook ones that he can chew on which will help with teething pain and be better for his teeth in the long run. i am 60 years old with 5 children, 16 grandchildren and 2 great grandchildren. i am raising my great granddaughter right now. none of my children had pacifiers but some of my grandchildren did.

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F.M.

answers from Seattle on

YOU ARE SO LUCKY!!!!!!!!! Take it and get rid of them. At 13 months they dont need them anymore anyway so you just didnt have to fight the battle of taking it away, he made the decision for you. My twins did the same thing and we never did find them. They just were gone and never seen again. My little girl however.....it was a struggle till she was almost 3 and it just looked so bad with that thing in her mouth. I was glad to see them go and not come back. Just one less thing you have to worry about!
Congratulations!

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J.O.

answers from Seattle on

be glad he is weaning himself of it. people are on here all of the time asking for help with kids who wont give it up. My kids would not take one at all right from the begining. At first it was a little frustrating but as they got older and i saw the other 2 and 3 year olds still hanging onto theirs i was glad. My youngest took it for about a week then that was it. he just didnt like it. That could be your son. Maybe its just not somethng he wants anymore. And thats probbaly good.Hopefully potty training will be this easy too:)

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L.M.

answers from Yakima on

I would think that possibly it hurts his mouth if he is cutting teeth. It may lay right where his mouth is sore with the teeth coming in. Watch in a few days and see if he does not take it again. Or he could be just weaning himself from it. Ifyou really want him to still have one, youmaytry buying a new one. There may be a reason that he does not like the taste of it anymore. L.

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A.H.

answers from Seattle on

If he is not wanting his pacifier any longer, I would take it away at this point. See how he does with that. If he still doesn't want it then I would throw it away. Maybe still keep one for if he spends the night at his grandparents. He might be just ready to give it up. I have 2 grandsons, they both had pacifiers. The oldest one had it until I believe he was about 1 1/2 years old, he is now almost 8 years old. His little brother used a pacifier at birth. He had used his until 3 months old. He had surgery when he was 3 months old and after that he no longer wnated his pacifier. I wouldn't worry about it, he is just ready to give it up and be a big boy. Good luck I hope that it works out.

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K.M.

answers from Seattle on

my mother in law said my husband did the same when he had an ear infection.

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M.W.

answers from Portland on

Good for him there is nothing more odd than seeing a 4 year old with a pacifer! I know your son is no where near 4 years old but the sooner you can get him "off" of the pacifer the better.Let him hold it,or just not give it to him see if he asks for it.

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S.F.

answers from Eugene on

Hi A.,

A paci is so comforting for some little ones. I had a child who liked it and I weaned her at age 1. She LOVED it for about 3 months - and then was done with it. And I also have a son who never took one. So, I am not sure why your son just doesn't want it now...but I say go with it. Now IS the time to break him of his sucking/comforting habit so it does not (possibly) interfere with his incoming teeth. Also, if you don't break him soon, it will likely just get more difficult as he gets older.

Remember, you, as his mother know best for your son. Listen to yourself and your own instincts!

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C.M.

answers from Portland on

A.~
Run with it!!! Gather them all up and chuck them while he is not interested. It is sooo much easier to get rid of it with thier blessing than to wait and then take it away. It is most likely his teeth. The pressure of how the pacifier hits probably is more irritating than soothing. Try wetting half of a wash rag and putting it in the freezer and give that to him when he seems to be in discomfort. This will help numb the area that is in pain from his teeth coming through it will also give him something to chew on to help speed the process. I know right now may be a challenge but it is a true blessing in disguise. He will eventually seem to not even miss it. Be sure to give him lots of extra love and snuggles while he goes through the transition. Offer a variety of other comforts. Good luck and Be pround of your son's new found independence from the pacifier.
C.

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D.H.

answers from Portland on

No, it is not unusual. I know it is hard for you, but sometimes you need to go with it. Make sure that you do check his mouth for sores or issues that could be irritating his mouth, just to be on the safe side. In my opinion though, get rid of them while you can since he has lost interest. In a way it is good that he could become comfortable without it. Kudos to you that he feels safe and comfortable with you and family and doesn't NEED it. Does he have a lovey? Try giving him that when he feels agitated instead. You will be happy in the long run anyway since I have heard that pacifiers can be hard to break kids from. Like your son my daughter just lost interest as well as lost her last one and just didn't care. She had a lovey that she used and that was enough. Good luck.

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C.C.

answers from Portland on

exactly the same thing has happened to my daughter! She is now 14 months old and basically leaving the pacifier behind. For the past three weeks she won't take it from me at all. Sometimes she will take it from a brother or sister. she is my fifth child and my other two girls were quite addicted to the pacifier until 2-3 years of age, so although this rejection of the pacifier has caused my sweet little baby to be a little louder(she is using her voice to get attention etc)I am just going with it because I'd rather not deal with making her give it up later on. A friend told me that by 9 months babies really don't have the need to suck so much for comfort, so I guess now is the time to change over to something else that can soothe our little ones. My babe is beginning to really enjoy a certain blankie and certain music when going to bed.

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K.G.

answers from Seattle on

Ditto. Ditch it but keep tabs on his mouth and watch for other signs of trouble like an ear infection. Replace it with a teether or another soothing item or action when he is still fussing. Rock, sing, look at books maybe cuddle a blanket or stuffed animal. I am in the process of weaning my 2 year old off his and I am a little jealous.

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B.B.

answers from Portland on

Hi there -

be happy that he does not want his pacifier any longer. Our oldest just "lost" her pacfier habit this spring and she turned 4 in Novmeber :)

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