Pacifiers and Sippy Cups
Pacifiers and Sippy Cups
PACIFIERS AND SIPPY/TIPPY CUPS
When should my child give up using a pacifier?
In general, children should quit using a pacifier around age 1. If a child still uses a pacifier after age 1, it should only be used minimally, such as when falling asleep. Children should not have a pacifier during any time they are alert, awake, and may want to talk. Pacifiers need to be completely stopped by age 4.
Are pacifiers really a bad thing?
Pacifiers have their time and place for babies and young toddlers. Talking with a pacifier in the mouth hinders good speech development. Using a pacifier a lot can push the teeth out of alignment, causing an open bite. An open bite can affect correct production of many speech sounds, including /f, v, s, z, sh, ch, j/ and both voiced and voiceless /th/.
When should my child give up using a sippy/tippy cup?
Children do not need to use sippy cups. Sippy cups were invented as a convenience for parents (less mess) and are not a necessary part of development. If a parent chooses to give a child a sippy cup, sippy cups should only be used as a short transition from bottles to regular cups. Most children can hold and drink from a regular cup by 18 months. If mess is a concern, switch to a straw cup as soon as possible.
Are sippy/tippy cups really a bad thing?
Sippy cups have their time a place for babies and toddlers who are switching from bottles to regular cups. Using a sippy cup for a long time forces a child to still use an immature swallow pattern, preventing natural development of oral motor skills. Sippy cup use is also associated with increased cavities, as the drink stays in the mouth longer before they can swallow.
I think my child needs to stop using a pacifier and/or sippy cup. What do I do now?
Quitting cold turkey is an option, but can be very stressful for both the child and the parent.
For pacifiers, keep them out of your child’s reach and only offer one at naps and bed time; then take it back as soon as your child wakes up. Offer a reward when your child tries to sleep without it. With your child, considering donating the pacifiers to someone you know who is having a baby and offer a reward when your child gets rid of the pacifiers. Some people use a needle to poke a small hole in the pacifier nipple (makes it lose that “sucky” power) or will “break” the pacifier by cutting off the nipple. Just be cautious as loose or damaged nipples can be a choking hazard.
For transitioning to a regular cup, try practicing with a regular cup of fresh water while your child is taking a bath and the mess from a spill won’t matter. You can buy special straw cups; however, many restaurants use paper or plastic cups with lids and you can snag some of these for free. Unless there is a specific developmental concern, all preschool children are expected to use a regular cup (no straw) when at school and they all do wonderfully!
Emily Buddenberg, M.S. CCC-SLP
REFERENCES
https://familydoctor.org/pacifiers-benefits-and-risks/
https://blogs.babycenter.com/mom_stories/07102011when-to-stop-the-pacifier/
https://www.verywell.com/sippy-cups-use-and-misuse-for-babies-2634396
http://nspt4kids.com/parenting/how-dentition-affects-articualtion/
https://www.verywell.com/sippy-cups-use-and-misuse-for-babies-2634396
