Toddlers and preschoolers using bottles and pacifiers?

[Anonymous]

I know I'm not alone in my opinion on this topic. I've been noticing lately kids anywhere from 18 months to 3 years old using pacifiers and bottles. I was at Tysons corner mall this past week and a mother was shopping with her two daughters. At one point the older girl asked her mom something and started whining about a toy. The mother took out a pacifier and put it in her mouth. The girl must have been 3 to 3 1/2 years old and she spoke very clear for her age. My pediatrician told me the pacifier should go completely away by 6 months and that's exactly what I did. Since a 6 month old can't talk, it was perfect and he forgot about it after 2 days. I took bottles away and replaced them with cups at 10 months old. Infants over the age of 12 months that still use bottles risk the problems of tooth decay and dental problems after prolonged use.
I've noticed this too with celebrity babies. Victoria Beckham's son was photographed last week with a large avent bottle in his hand and he's turning 3 next month! Suri Cruise is turning two in April and she's photographed regularly sipping back on a bottle. Then I remember reading an article about how Katie Holmes said she's such a bright girl and advanced for her age. But she drinks from a bottle?

Don't parents realize what damage could be done by giving bottles to toddlers? Have parents surrendured all control to their 3 yr olds?

[Anonymous]

I am sure I will get blasted but I think bottles beyond 1 year of age is nonsense. AND pacifiers....I'm not an advocate for these and I am glad my daughter hated them. If it works for some babies than kudos but after a baby is a year old than time to give it up! Just my 2 cents...

[Anonymous]

I have to agree! Took paci away before DD could tell me she wanted it back and the bottles were gone right before her 1st birthday and she never looked back. A 2 or 3 year old with a paci or bottles is ridiculous when they have the skills to use a self-soothe and use a cup.

[Anonymous]

Judgemental much? I'm sure there are many many things we have ALL done differently than another mom. My daughter used a paci until the week before she turned FOUR - yes, 4. She needed it for bed - she never had a blanket or a stuffed animal. Should I criticize kids who need to use a blankie or a special lovey to sleep?? She was off a bottle at 15 months. I'm assuming those few "extra" months on a bottle and a few extra years of paci will just render her a helpless child - nevermind that she has no dental problems, no sleep problems and she is incredibly smart (actually gifted) and independent. in fact, a lot of very bright children use crutches longer than of-average intelligence because it's difficult to deal with being smart (per my ped.). So, before you go assuming and judging - maybe just think to yourself - "They have their reasons". And leave it at that. Maybe you should find a hobby if you're wasting your time in a mall criticizing children and their parents. And celebrity parents. Get a life.

[Anonymous]

I agree, I think it's really ridiculous, especially the bottles because of the risk of cavities.

[Anonymous]

I coudn't care less about your opinion on the subject, I'm sure I am a better parent than you are, even thou my daugther is two and she still loves her bottle and use the pacifier for sleeping. I drank from a bottle until I was 3 and here I am, a pretty normal, well-adjusted and inteligent person. Get a life, concentrate in your children and leave the rest of us alone.

[Anonymous]

Look, it just looks stupid. Like a 6 year old wearing diapers or a 13 yr old with training wheels.

It may well be that all the pacifier chomping 3 year olds out there grow up to rival Mozart or Marie Curie someday. Hooray! In the meantime, the image looks stupid.

[Anonymous]

Looks silly and makes the parents look like IDIOTS. Tooth decay doesn't look cute, does it? Can your kid get into that top notch preschool with that cool looking pacifier in her mouth? Oh wait...she couldn't do the interview at the preschool because you couldn't pry the pacifier out of her 3 yr old mouth!

I swear..the kids are in charge and run the show! BTW, a pacifier has no purpose and the mother that said her daughter had one because she didn't have a favorite blanket or toy..um what kind of defense is that? My child has never had a favorite blanket or toy either so does that mean I should shove a pacifier down his throat??

[Anonymous]

I can't believe I'm bothering to participate in this nasty thread, but when it comes to pacifiers, our dentist said up to 3 years old was perfectly fine -- and noted that a pacifier is ALWAYS preferable to a thumb. We limited it to crib at 1, and my 2.5 year old still uses it to sleep.

We got rid of the bottle at 13 mos, but I really couldn't care less what other parents do. The idea that taking bottles, pacifiers, blankets, whatever, at an early age is an indicator that a child isn't spoiled or demanding has to be one of the most ridiculous things I've ever heard. Kids are reflections of their parents, and if the tone of these posts is any indication, most of your kids will be judgmental, self-righteous little prigs. What a shame.

[Anonymous]

Yes, pacifiers and bottles are for babies. It is a parent's job to wean the child off of them when the child is no longer a baby. It is very difficult but so is so much else about being a parent and sometimes things take longer than what is ideal. Either way, it's not something to get angry about on either side. Why on earth do you care what a child who is not yours is sucking on?

[Anonymous]

I agree with the poster, these kids need to learn how to deal with self soothing earlier rather than later.

[Anonymous]

My baby is highly intelligent and never used a paci.

[Anonymous]

Hey everyone, I would like to weigh in if I can. I'm not a big fan of pacifiers for a couple of reasons. I believe that kids that are constantly using them aren't pronouncing words well because there always talking with something in their mouth. Imagine having a conversation, being muffled all the time. I also think kids are very resillient. They won't miss what's not right in front of them. If they ask about it, just say no. I find that the children still using pacifiers at 4 are probably the ones to be babied parents or more likely to throw temper tantrums. They need to be allowed to progress. Saying a 4 year old is to old for a pacifier is not being judgement, it's the truth. Most child psycoligists would agree. Also, when two or three year olds start crying, their communicating. And the easy answer for alot of people is to throw a pacifier in the child's mouth when another action or talking to him or discipline for a temper tantrum might nip it in the bud in the future. I like to check in every once in awhile to share a thought about what I observe at my shows and at schools. Thanks. The Great Zucchini

[Anonymous]

My kids don't take the bottle or paci but I could care less what other parents do or don't do... if their kids are happy and healthy, that's great. We all do the best we can. And for me that includes screening out judgmental people.

[Anonymous]

I personally do not care what other parents are letting thier babies do BUT IT IS TIME FOR THEIR KIDS TO GROW UP AND PARENTS NEED TO LEARN HOW TO TEACH YOUR KIDS OTHER COPING METHODS!! But that it not our problem, that's theirs. lol.... It's all good.