Do Pacifiers Affect Speech Development? Expert Guide & Recommendations

There is a lot of conflicting and confusing information about pacifier use. As a parent, it can be difficult to determine which advice to follow. The good news is that there are some clear guidelines and recommendations from the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), American Dental Association (ADA), and expert speech-language pathologists. We will take a closer look at that guidance here, and you are encouraged to check out this informative page on early language development and the role of speech therapy.

Understanding Pacifier Use and Speech Development

Pacifiers may impact speech development if they result in a child experiencing increased ear infections. The amount of time the child has a pacifier in their mouth can also impact their opportunities to speak. Oral development may also be affected due to prolonged pacifier use, which has a potential effect on the placement of teeth and the shape of the mouth.

Benefits of Pacifier Use in Early Development

For infants, research indicates that pacifier use can reduce the chance of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS). For this reason, the APA endorses pacifier use under 6 months of age. Pacifiers in babies may also help reduce reflux and promote self-soothing. These comfort and security aspects can be valuable.

What is a Good Age to Take Away a Pacifier?

The AAP recommends weaning your child from the pacifier between 6 months and 1 year of age. The ADA supports these recommendations, and dental research seems to indicate that pacifier use should be fully eliminated by the age of 2 years.

Signs Your Child Is Ready to Stop Using a Pacifier

The earlier you begin to wean beyond 6 months year, the likelihood is that your child will be ready and it will be easier. You should try to avoid times of any added stress (such as other transitions). If you wait until later to wean, your child may show you some signs they are ready. These include: they start chewing on their pacifier, they talk with the pacifier in their mouth, they forget about their pacifier more often, or the pacifier is disrupting their sleep.

How Prolonged Pacifier Use May Affect Speech

Prolonged pacifier use may cause misalignment in teeth and jaw or overall distortion in the shape of the mouth. These issues can result in difficulty placing the oral articulators for correct sound production. Prolonged pacifier use has also been connected to increased frequency of middle ear infections, and when children have fluid in their ears, it distorts or blocks the sounds they hear. If they hear sounds incorrectly, they will often produce them incorrectly. If they do this consistently, it can become habitual.

Physical Effects on Speech Development

In addition to dental misalignment, prolonged pacifier use may cause tongue thrusting. Both of these conditions can distort speech sounds by affecting air flow for specific sounds, resulting in a lisp.

The Connection Between Pacifiers and Language Development

Older babies and toddlers need to participate in the back-and-forth exchange of early conversation to meet language milestones. If they experience middle ear infections, this can reduce their ability to hear their conversational partner, which is key to their language development. If they have their mouth occupied with a pacifier, it discourages their engagement in conversational exchange. This can also have an impact on their social engagement and development.

What Do I Do if My Child Has a Speech Delay?

If you are concerned about your child’s speech development, you should discuss this concern with your pediatrician and review these guidelines for speech-language milestones: ASHA's Developmental Milestones: Birth to 5 Years. Seeking help early is always advised. You can receive expert assessment and intervention from a Verse speech-language pathologist by scheduling a consultation here!

Tips for Healthy Pacifier Use

Pacifiers can be beneficial for reducing reflux and the risk of SIDS in babies up to 6 months of age. Pacifiers can also promote self-soothing. Healthy use should limit the amount of time the pacifier is used. After meals and surrounding sleep times are optimal opportunities to use a pacifier. After 6 months of age, you can begin to offer alternative options for self-soothing by replacing the pacifier with a soothing object such as a “lovey” or a “blankie.”

Strategies for Weaning from Pacifier Use

Weaning can look different for every family. Some people choose to quit “cold turkey.” For most, it is best to take a gradual approach. This can look like eliminating a certain time of day. For instance, eliminate daytime use first and then eliminate the pacifier from the bedtime routine. Some families choose to make a game or a tradition out of the process of weaning. For example, they may tell the child it is time to pass the pacifier on to those who need it, or they may replace the pacifier with a small token gift. The gift may be a new object that replaces the same function, such as a new cup or a new soothing object.

Supporting Your Child's Speech Journey

Each family will have to decide what course is best for them in terms of pacifier use, but being armed with this information and advice can position you to make the best decisions. If you are concerned that pacifier use may have resulted in speech or language delays, you can contact Verse today!