Pacifiers can be a lifesaver for soothing little ones, especially in those early months. But as your child grows, you may wonder about the right time to say goodbye to the dummy and what extended use might mean for their development. In this blog, we’ll explore how long-term dummy use can impact speech, oral health, and language skills—and share practical tips to make weaning off the dummy easier for both you and your child.
What’s covered in this article:
“Long-term” dummy use typically means a child is using a pacifier frequently and for longer periods each day, especially past the age of 2 or 3. According to studies, extended use can lead to changes in the mouth’s structure and even impact on vocabulary growth when it is used beyond 3 years of age.
Frequent dummy use can gradually reshape the roof of the mouth, creating a high or narrow palate. It can also cause an open bite. This change in the oral cavity structure can make it challenging for your child’s tongue to move freely within the mouth, which is essential for producing certain sounds. In my experience, I’ve worked with many children over 9 years of age who presented with higher, narrower palates and, as a result, faced persistent challenges with speech sounds such as the /t/, /d/, /n/ sounds.
Long-term dummy use encourages the tongue to sit in a lowered or forward position to accommodate the pacifier. Imagine this: You have a dummy in place. Where does your tongue go? It actually rests near the floor of the mouth instead of being lifted and placed behind your top teeth, as seen in a proper resting posture. Over time, this posture can become a habit. I’ve seen clients well over the age of 7 who still struggle with a lisp because of this lowered, forward tongue position. Lisps are expected to resolve around age 4-5, but prolonged dummy use can delay this, making sounds like /s/ come out as /th/ and impacting overall speech clarity.
When a child frequently has a dummy in their mouth, they miss out on opportunities to engage in natural movements with their tongue, lips, and jaw. Without enough practice, these muscles may not coordinate as smoothly, affecting speech clarity and making it more difficult for the child to produce certain sounds. Additionally, poor oral-motor skills can impact feeding abilities, leading to challenges with chewing and swallowing. This can result in picky eating habits or nutritional deficiencies if certain food textures are avoided.
Extended dummy use can limit social interactions and reduce opportunities for verbal imitation, both of which are critical for early language development. When children engage less in back-and-forth conversations, they miss key chances to learn and practice new words. Over time, this can slow vocabulary growth and even impact the ability to understand more abstract language as they grow.
As your child’s speech and language skills develop, it’s essential to give them every chance to use new words and practice conversations. One 2024 study of over 1,100 toddlers found that more frequent pacifier use was associated with a smaller vocabulary size, starting as early as 12 months. Imagine talking or playing with your toddler while they have a dummy in their mouth—they’re much less likely to imitate the words and sounds you’re modelling. Over time, this can limit vocabulary growth and even make it harder for your child to understand and process more complex language as they get older.
While pacifiers offer important benefits in the early stages, especially in infancy, it’s the prolonged, frequent use beyond age 2–3 that can start to impact your child’s speech and oral development. In the early months, pacifiers provide comfort, support sleep, and even reduce the risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) during sleep. Additionally, dummies can help babies with satisfying their sucking instincts. However, as your child grows, reducing pacifier use allows for more freedom to talk, play, and engage.
For parents, it’s natural to wonder about the best time to start weaning your child off the dummy. Generally, research suggests that between 6 and 12 months is an ideal window to begin. Around this age, babies are usually a bit more adaptable to changes, and they’re also starting to find comfort in other ways beyond non-nutritive sucking. After about six months, the dummy might not be as helpful for their development. Extended use can also bring about some challenges, like an increased risk of ear infections or dental issues.
You know your child best, so trust your instincts when it comes to timing. Many experts recommend aiming to reduce use around the 1 year mark, ideally saving it just for naps and bedtime as they get closer to the toddler years. That way, you’re helping set up a smoother transition without putting too much pressure on yourself or your little one.
Weaning your child off their dummy can be a gradual and supportive process. Here are some tips that can help:
Start by limiting dummy use to specific times, like naps and bedtime or when they’re feeling particularly stressed. Gradually reduce its availability over a few weeks, giving your child a chance to adjust without sudden changes.
Offer other comforting items or engaging activities to replace the dummy. A cosy blanket, a favourite stuffed animal, or an engaging coloiring book can be great alternatives. Having a new “go-to” item or activity helps them feel secure and keeps them happily occupied without the pacifier.
It’s natural to reach for the dummy when your child is upset or melting down, but staying consistent with your weaning plan is essential.
Encourage your child by celebrating small successes. Simple praise or rewards can go a long way in keeping them motivated and making the process feel rewarding.
For some children, a memorable “goodbye” ritual, like leaving the dummy out for a “dummy fairy” or a special send-off, can make the experience more positive and signify a new milestone in growing up.
Keep your child engaged with activities that take their mind off the dummy. Creative play, reading, or crafts can help reduce their dependency while keeping them entertained.
Kids often imitate what they see. Demonstrating ways to self-soothe without a dummy can help encourage your child to do the same, especially when they see these strategies in action.
Every child is unique, and the transition can take time, so keep offering your child support and reassurance. If the process feels particularly challenging, consulting a paediatrician or speech pathologist may provide additional guidance.
If you’re concerned about your child’s speech development or find their speech unclear, don’t hesitate to reach out to us at Online Speechie. We offer face-to-face sessions, telehealth and personalised home programs to support your child’s language development. If you have any questions, please feel free to reach out to us here.
You can also learn more about speech sound delays in our blog “How To Know If My Child Has A Speech Delay”.
If you have concerns about dental development or oral health, a referral to a dentist can assess any effects on teeth or bite, and an ENT specialist can check for related ear or nasal issues. A team approach can help ensure your child’s speech and oral development are on the right path.
Barca, L., Mazzuca, C., & Borghi, A. M. (2020). Overusing the pacifier during infancy sets a footprint on abstract words processing.
Kanellopoulos, A. K., & Costello, S. E. (2024). The effects of prolonged pacifier use on language development in infants and toddlers. Frontiers in Psychology, 15, 1349323.
Larsson, E. (2001). “The effect of dummy-sucking on the occlusion: A review.” European Journal of Orthodontics, 23(6), 629-640. This review examines how prolonged dummy-sucking habits can lead to dental malocclusions, which may indirectly affect oral functions.
Muñoz, L. E., Kartushina, N., & Mayor, J. (2024). Sustained pacifier use is associated with smaller vocabulary sizes at 1 and 2 years of age: A cross-sectional study. Developmental Science, 27(4), e13477.
Shotts, L. L., McDaniel, D. M., & Neeley, R. A. (2008). The impact of prolonged pacifier use on speech articulation: A preliminary investigation. Contemporary Issues in Communication Science and Disorders, 35, 72-75.
Strutt, J., Khattab, A., & Khattab, S. (2021). Does the duration and frequency of dummy (pacifier) use affect the development of speech? International Journal of Language & Communication Disorders, 56(1), 1-14.