An End To The Battle Of The Binky

I carry Elise's pacifiers around like I carry my cell phone for fear that we will be somewhere and not have one when she wants it.  Not exactly ideal, but whatever soothes her.  But, lately I have been tormented about the paci dilemma.  I know Elise loves it, but I am was under the assumption that she SHOULDN'T have it anymore.  But why?  Her pediatrician said to toss them at 6 months?  Her speech will be affected?  She'll have orthodontic problems?  It's not socially acceptable to see a toddler with a paci beyond a certain age?

Yesterday I got online to do some research about how to wean her from her favorite thing since we have really been struggling with it.  When she wants it and we don't give it to her, she has a meltdown throughout multiple rooms of the whole house.  Jason and I are at a loss for what to do.  Should we give it to her?  Are we giving her mixed signals by giving it to her sometimes and not others?  Are we mean for taking away something that comforts her?

After some online investigation, I came across something that answered many of my questions.  A website called askdrsears.com.  I know it's a reputable one since I have a couple of baby books written by the same doctor.  His opinion put me at ease for the time being.

"Pacifiers are "peacemakers" – which children return to as an attachment object. Some infants and young children have an intense need to suck for comfort, which lasts well into their preschool years. Seeing a plug in a three-year-old's mouth actually bothers adults more than children. This does not imply a psychological problem or a need unfulfilled by parents. On the contrary, the ability to use objects to self-comfort is a sign of psychological health. The only problem with pacifiers at three years of age is the likelihood of exerting pressure on the upper front teeth, resulting in an overbite. If your child does not use a pacifier long enough and suck hard enough to be causing mal-alignment of the teeth, then there is no need to break this habit."

After reading this particular article, I told Jason that I was going to give up the struggle of battling with Elise and myself over her paci.  I told him, "let her have it, if she wants it."  I'm just going to keep rocking along with it and see if the time will come when she decides to give it up on her own.  If I notice she has some teeth problems or she hasn't given it up within the next year, I'll do further research on breaking the paci habit.