The Ultimate Pacifier Guide

Why it's Best to Avoid Pacifiers

When a child sucks on a pacifier (or thumb or bottle) their cheeks and lips are pulled in. This forces the upper gums inward. The tongue pushes the pacifier into the roof of the mouth and pushes against the nasal airways. The sides of the tongue are forced outward against the lower gums, pushing them apart. None of this is beneficial for optimal tongue placement, jaw development, or palate expansion - which can lead to a myriad of issues like open and cross bites, narrow palates, open-mouth breathing, sleep-breathing disorders, ADHD, allergies, eczema, and more. 

If You're Going to Use a Pacifier

~according to a Myofunctional Therapist~

• should not be used every time baby cries
  

• should not be given in the crib all night
  

• should not have free range access
  

• if baby spits it out, do not keep putting it back in
  

• wean by 4-6 mo

• & begin using other mouthing/teething/soothing toys

How to Wean the Pacifier

There’s no one size fits all method to weaning the pacifier, but here are a few options that have worked for some. 

• Use tools to help redirect the behavior, like the MyoMunchee or teething/chewing/soothing toys
  

• Start by only allowing the pacifier in the bed. If child is older, can make it creative by giving the pacifier it’s own pillow or blanket so it can “sleep” while the child is awake
  

• Friday Baby Weaning Kit (if child is use to an orthodontic paci)

• Cold turkey

• Poke holes for few a few days, then slowly cut down

• Poke small holes and over time make the holes bigger

• Rub with Sucker Buster 

Best Pacifiers for Proper Jaw Development

Full list of myo approved pacifiers &chewing toys