Babies are born with a strong instinct and desire to suck. Obviously, this makes eating/feeding more successful. They also enjoy sucking because it is comforting to them. Some babies suck their thumb or fingers while still in the womb. Each child has a different need or urge to suck. Sucking the thumb or a pacifier is a normal childhood behavior. Sucking a pacifier does not cause medical or psychological problems. Pacifiers are easier to wean from than sucking the thumb.

When to introduce a pacifier:

• If you are bottle feeding your baby, you may introduce a pacifier at any time.
• If you are breast feeding your baby, wait until she is at least 2 weeks old before introducing a pacifier.
• Sucking a pacifier is easy. Nursing on the breast is a different type of sucking. You do not want her to get "nipple confusion" because she may not take the breast again. After 2 weeks, nursing is usually well established and it is safe to introduce an artificial nipple or pacifier.

Types of pacifiers:

• Orthodontic (prevents the tongue from coming out of the mouth). The safest type is one piece with a soft nipple.
• Use the smaller size for age less than 6 months, the larger size for age greater than 6 months.

What you can do:

• Clean pacifier often and rinse off before each use.
• Keeping a pacifier keeper (a clip with a very short leash, approximately 6 inches long) on the shirt may help prevent the pacifier from dropping on the floor.
• Replace the pacifier when damaged. Keep an extra one on hand from emergencies
• Avoid tying a string around the pacifier and attach to the crib or around the child's neck
• Avoid punishing, ridiculing, or criticizing your child for sucking his pacifier. This will only hurt his feelings. Instead,  help him to break his pacifier habit by providing love, support, and understanding.
• Avoid using the pacifier as a substitute for food.
• Do not dip the pacifier into any sugar water or honey.

What you can expect:

• Weaning takes time and effort and can be successful without hurting your child's feelings.
• Most babies will stop using a pacifier on their own. Some will continue past infancy and into childhood.
• Offering another type of security object like a stuffed animal may provide a substitute for the pacifier.
• If your child is still sucking his pacifier as a preschooler, you can discourage (not ridicule or punish) use during everyday activities and reserve for nap time, bedtime, or stressful situations
• Some will give up their pacifier altogether and revert back to it during stressful times, (a recent move, a new sibling, illness), or to provide comfort during bedtime. This regression is usually temporary.
• Have the older child participate in the weaning process. Decide together how you will dispose of the pacifier (the trash or the pacifier fairy). Do not save a pacifier.