Why stop the pacifier or thumb?

The pacifier is an external element for both mother and baby, so it’s best to see it as a tool with benefits—and also with specific considerations you should understand to use it well. For example, one of the first things to keep in mind is that you shouldn’t introduce a pacifier until breastfeeding is established, to avoid confusing your baby. From then on, its use should be occasional rather than constant, so this artificial sucking doesn’t affect oral development.

According to pediatric dentist Irene Iglesias on the LactApp blog, using a pacifier beyond two years is not recommended. She also advises consulting a dentist during this period and assessing the child's facial growth pattern. “Children who continue to use the pacifier beyond three years are more likely to develop harmful habits such as biting pencils, nail-biting, bruxism, etc. The best prevention for orofacial malformations, including malocclusions, is as long a breastfeeding period as possible, and a consistent, firm, and fibrous diet to stimulate bone growth, optimal calcification of the bones, and harmonious growth of muscles, bones, and joints, thereby promoting correct teeth alignment,” she explains.

So, it’s best to help your little adventurer stop using the pacifier or thumb as soon as possible. The challenge? Your baby uses the pacifier or sucks their thumb for different emotional reasons: it helps them calm down, relax when they’re tired or have experienced a change that unsettles them, soothes them when they’re in pain, or helps them fall asleep... For all these reasons, you’ll need to support the process of giving up the pacifier or thumb with empathy and love.

5 tips to help your child stop using the pacifier or thumb

Children who use a pacifier for emotional comfort should stop using it gradually when the time comes. This is important because your child needs time to say goodbye and to get used to life without an item that has been part of their daily routine. Here are five tips to help your little adventurer stop using the pacifier or thumb:

1. Find the most suitable moment

It’s important to wait for the right moment for your little adventurer to start saying goodbye to the pacifier. Ideally, avoid stressful periods or times of significant change, such as starting preschool, moving house, or the arrival of a new sibling. As parents, you’ll likely know when the right time to begin the process has come.

2. Do it gradually

Supporting the process gradually is the most respectful and gentle option for your little one. This approach may be easier with a pacifier, because it’s an object you can remove or put away—unlike the thumb, which has the practical advantage of always being available. It may help to create a plan that begins with a phase of preparation in which you talk about saying goodbye to the pacifier or thumb; continues with a phase of reduction by agreeing on when pacifier or thumb-sucking is allowed and limiting it to when it’s truly needed; and then moves to encouraging your child to replace this habit with another. To do this, offer a different option whenever they feel the need to use their thumb or pacifier, such as a hug or reading a book with you.

3. Plan the farewell

Of course, your baby won’t be able to get rid of their thumb, but they can say goodbye to their pacifier. For children who suck their fingers, breaking the habit often takes longer than giving up a pacifier. As an alternative, we recommend offering a silicone teether, which will be easier to replace or remove later. For children who use a pacifier, you can ask your child how they’d like to say goodbye to their companion. They might want to hold a small ceremony to help them through this transition. Have fun organizing it together; they may change their mind and involve you in this big decision to stop using the pacifier.

4. Practice positive reinforcement

Giving up the pacifier or thumb is a big change in your child's life. To help them cope with this stage, you can use positive reinforcement. This means recognizing their successes and progress, no matter how small. Remember that your little adventurer needs your approval and tenderness, so offer extra hugs to help them process their emotions. At the same time, stay firm and consistent: the goal is still to help them stop using the pacifier or thumb, and it’s best to avoid comparisons. Comparisons aren’t good for your baby, and they aren’t good for you either—you may feel like you’re falling short when you’re already doing your best. The most important thing is to trust yourself and your little one. If, after many unsuccessful attempts, your child still can’t stop using their thumb or pacifier, don’t hesitate to consult your pediatrician.

5. Search for books to help stop thumb-sucking

Books are a great resource to support little ones as they quit the pacifier or thumb. We recommend three highly regarded titles:

The book "dejachupetes", by Vanesa Pérez-Sauquillo

Humor and tenderness go hand in hand in the «Grandes pasitos» collection, of which it is a part. The book "dejachupetes" is a small-format illustrated album that offers ten rhyming suggestions to help children face this tough moment in a fun way.
The illustrations are delightful!

Charlotte's pacifiers, by Fanny Joly

Fanny Joly invites us to discover the story of Charlotte, a young girl who has many pacifiers and almost always has one in her mouth, which makes it difficult for anyone to understand her when she speaks. Charlotte's family begins to worry because they can't communicate with her, so they encourage her to give up the pacifier.
Will she succeed?

Goodbye pacifier! by Alice Le Hénand

Each child gives up the pacifier or thumb at their own pace, and this book-game captures that beautifully—showing that some children need more time than others and that each child does it in their own way. It’s perfect thanks to its easy-to-handle hardcover format and flaps that turn the book into an experience beyond reading.

Remember, these are simply our recommendations to support your baby through this process in a respectful way. If, after some time, your little adventurer still can’t give up the pacifier or thumb-sucking, consult your pediatrician or another professional. By the way, you’re doing great! :)