The Lingering Lull: Beyond the Binky: Unveiling the Downsides of Prolonged Pacifier Use on Speech Development

As a Speech Language Pathologist (SLP), parents often ask me about the use of pacifiers and how what effects, if any, they may have on speech production in the future. Although pacifiers can serve as tools to help a child self-soothe, one aspect that concerns me greatly is the prolonged use of pacifiers beyond the age of two. While pacifiers can provide comfort and soothe infants if they are used too frequently and/or for too long, their continued use beyond the toddler years can have detrimental effects on speech development. In this blog post, we will explore why pacifier use is harmful past two years old, shedding light on the importance of timely pacifier weaning.

Impaired Articulation:

As children grow, their oral muscles need to develop strength and coordination to produce clear speech sounds. Prolonged pacifier use can interfere with the natural progression of this development. When a child continues to suck on a pacifier, it restricts the tongue and lip movements necessary for articulating sounds accurately. Over time, this restriction can lead to a delay in speech sound development, resulting in unclear speech or articulation disorders.

Language Delays:

Beyond the age of two, children are at a critical stage of language acquisition, rapidly expanding their vocabulary and refining their language skills. The extended use of pacifiers can hinder this process. When a child consistently has a pacifier in their mouth, it limits their opportunities for meaningful verbal communication. They may become reliant on non-verbal gestures or sounds to express themselves, missing out on the rich linguistic experiences that contribute to language growth. Consequently, this can lead to language delays and difficulties in expressive and receptive language skills.

Dental Complications:

Prolonged pacifier use can also impact dental development, which in turn can affect speech production. The repetitive sucking motion required for pacifier use can cause malformation of the oral cavity, leading to dental malocclusions such as an open bite or a crossbite. These malocclusions can alter the way the tongue moves within the mouth, and its resting position which can make it harder for a child to produce certain speech sounds accurately.

Oral Dependency:

As a child approaches the age of two, they should gradually transition from oral fixation to self-soothing strategies that promote independence. By relying on a pacifier for comfort, children may develop an oral dependency that affects their emotional regulation. This dependency can interfere with their ability to cope with stress or anxiety, hindering their overall development, including speech and language skills.

Social Implications:

As children grow older, their social interactions become increasingly important for language development. Excessive pacifier use can impede these interactions, as it may be challenging for other children or adults to understand a child who constantly has a pacifier in their mouth. Consequently, this can lead to frustration, decreased social engagement, and a potential reluctance to communicate with others.

Overall timely pacifier weaning and promoting alternative self-soothing strategies can support children in reaching their full potential in speech and language acquisition. By fostering healthy oral habits and promoting natural speech development, we can empower children to communicate effectively and thrive in their linguistic journeys.

Thanks for learning with me,

Alexandra Strachan M.S,.CCC-SLP,OMT.