Pacifiers/Binkys.

[Le bonheur*]

Is it normal for a 6 year old to still have a pacifier/binky/sucker? (Not sure what anyone calls them, I call them pacifiers..) My aunt's boyfriend's 6 year old son still uses a pacifier and refuses to give it up. Is this normal?

[Aletheia*]

Not really. Usually, parents try to wean their child off of their pacifiers around 1 years old, but even then, that's a little bit old. But, usually, one year is the standard. Here is a link to help further answer your questions: http://www.babycenter.com/408_when-s...ier_1368496.bc

[iHEAVENn]

No. No child should have one at 6 years old.

[Dr.Bobby]

Brittany, it's normal for him!

So, the issue becomes what it means and if it should be forceably given up. And of course, your role in all this.

Unless the parent is actively asking for your opinion, I'd frankly stay out of this one. It's not about the normalcy of the pacy for the 6 year old, it's your involvement into a family situation that could result in conflict with the parent, and great distress with the child.

Give me more details, and we can talk further.

[Le bonheur*]

I have no role in this... He's my aunt's boyfriend's son. He's not family, I'm not involved. I was simply asking if it was normal.

[Aletheia*]

Originally Posted by believe.in.hope

I have no role in this... He's my aunt's boyfriend's son. He's not family, I'm not involved. I was simply asking if it was normal.

Unfortunately, it's not. I think I used a pacifier up until the age of 1.5 or so. This is what my mom told me when I asked her earlier. Maybe it was even 2 years. But, letting him keep the pacy this long is going to cause dental problems in a long-term sense, as that link above provided for you. From sucking on my thumb for years after being weaned off the pacifier, both me and my sister have over bites. They aren't atrocious, however, my teeth aren't perfect for this particular reason.

[crazychick10793]

it happens more frequently than you might think. I'm 18, and I still have one sometimes! haha but I mean, it's not a big deal. If that's what his parents want I'm really not one to judge. Though they say it's not best for his teeth, mine turned out fine.


and as for one year old, no. a lot of children can carry the sucking need, not want or comfort, but need into toddlerhood, sometimes even preschool. the recommended age for giving it up is 3

[Fairy Poppins]

I had mine at night time until I was 3 and my teeth are perfect.

Does he have it all the time? Or just in certain circumstances, e.g. when tired, upset, etc?

[Le bonheur*]

Originally Posted by Fairy Poppins

Does he have it all the time? Or just in certain circumstances, e.g. when tired, upset, etc?

He has it everytime I see him and unless he's upset/tired everytime I see him, I don't think that's the reason. Maybe it's cause his parents never tried to take it away from him. But I've noticed that they are. Like he tries talking with it in his mouth and they tell him "I can't hear you. Take the nunu (that's what he calls it) out of your mouth." And he's not allowed to take pictures with it in his mouth. Stuff like that. So I guess they are weaning him off of it but it's still in his life A LOT. I didn't think it was normal so I figured I'd ask. Thanks for the replies.

[Nicolette]

binkies are usually used as a source of comfort for children, it soothes and relaxes them, but by the age of 6 its something that should have been given up long ago and replaced with something else such as a babyblanket or stuff animal. It isn't great for teeth and developing jaws, not to mention walking around at that age still with a pacifier stuck in his mouth, I'm sure eventually it'll become a social thing where his friends make fun of him and he'll give it up on his own.

[PutYourHeartsUp]

The children I know that had their pacifiers until way past the normal time to give them up, and had them in all day, they got extremely cracked lips and sores around their mouth. My personal opinion is that the longest a child should have one is until they start talking.

[Jennifer]

According to super nanny no. :P But I dont remember the episode or what she said about it. Sorry

[Le bonheur*]

Thanks everyone. (: I kinda thought that the normal age was 1 and nottttt 6.

[Iridescence]

I don't find this normal.
I child should be able to have a binky up to 2-3 years max.
but for a 6 year old....that's quite ridiculous.