Do Pacifiers Impact Speech Development?

Ensuring baby's healthy development can be an anxiety-inducing and daunting task, especially to brand new parents. You've just brought home a new human, and it's your responsibility to make sure they grow into a walking, talking adult. As infants, they're so small that it feels impossible!

You're probably bombarded with advice and information from well-meaning friends and family. Maybe you've fallen down the internet rabbit hole of parenting dos and don'ts. Everything from crib setup, breastfeeding or bottle feeding, and nap schedules become a never ending wormhole of information. One of the most questioned and misunderstood parenting techniques is pacifier usage.

You'll hear a lot of conflicting information about pacifiers, and it can be hard to sift through what's accurate or inaccurate, exaggerated or downplayed. There are valid concerns about everything from possible pacifier latex allergies to orthodontic issues, and even the eventual pacifier weaning period. 

So, what about speech development? If a child sucks on a pacifier for years, it's reasonable to assume that it can have an affect on speech and orthodontics. With help from two recent studies from the National Library of Medicine (x, x) and pediatric therapy centers (x, x), we'll address some common fears to put your mind at ease and help you feel better equipped to offer your child a binky. 

The Truth About Child Speech Development and Pacifiers

Let's get it out of the way first. The short answer: it can, but only if you use it improperly. Results are typically mixed, with either no or very weak links between the two. But, that shouldn't deter you from pacifiers altogether. The key phrase you'll usually see in studies is "prolonged pacifier use." This means that the risks come when your little one uses a binky too late into toddlerhood. 

There can be negative consequences with improper usage, but that's the same as any other useful and safe baby gear. Even a car seat, crib, or stroller can become incredibly dangerous if used incorrectly. Use the binky properly, and your risks are close to none.

So when you're considering a pacifier, the most important question you should ask is how to properly use one. We'll first talk about what prolonged pacifier usage means, and the potential risks. Then, we'll go over proper pacifier usage and some tips to avoid issues down the line.

How Could Prolonged Pacifier Usage Affect Speech?

Prolonged pacifier use can actually mean two things. Usually, it refers to using a binky long after your child shoulder have been weaned off. This is typically when teeth start to come in. 3 years old is the most widely accepted weaning age for orthodontic health, but if you want to start earlier, you'll avoid an unhealthy habits and a tough weaning period.

The other meaning refers to how often and how long you give your child their binky each day. Most experts agree that you should limit daytime usage as much as possible and try to only offer it during naps or bedtime. When your child is awake, they should be able to practice mouth movements, babbling, or simple speech, depending on age. If a pacifier is always taking up room in their mouth, they won't be able to do this. Constant or intense daytime sucking impacts the palate, teeth, and language acquisition.

There are a lot of ways improperly using a binky can impact speech. Some have research to back them up, and some are hypothetical or experience-based. 

1. Could lead to raised or indented palates that affects articulation
2. May delay oral motor skills by reducing the time infants take to freely work out their mouth muscles 
3. Affects tooth positions and jaw alignment, leading to improper bites and lisps
4. Possibly alters or restricts expressions, limiting non-verbal communication
5. Increases risk of ear infections, which comes with the risk of temporary or permanent hearing loss
6. Frequent pacifier usage limits babbling and speech practice. Speaking with pacifier in mouth could lead to disordered, unintelligible speech 

However, we believe there are plus sides to pacifiers that are important to remember!

1. Can help reduce the risk of SIDS when used in infancy
2. Discourages thumb sucking, which is a more dangerous, harder-to-break habit.
3. Offers valuable comfort that can help establish healthy sleep patterns or calm babies in high-stress situations

How to Avoid the Risks

As with any other piece of baby equipment, understanding the safety guidelines is key to ensuring a healthy, happy baby. There is some wiggle room with pacifiers depending on your child's needs, but you should always prioritize expert's recommendations.

Again, the most widely accepted, maximum weaning age is 3. You should aim to have your little one fully weaned before then, so start early if they have already formed an attachment to their binky. Check out our tips and tricks to make your pacifier weaning journey as easy as possible.

To avoid a habit or emotional attachment, you can wean your little one off much earlier. Usually, weaning before 9 months old can help you both avoid the possible tantrum, meltdown-filled weaning phase. You'll see most of your binky's benefits in infancy, anyway. Avoiding SIDS, soothing, and setting up a sleep routine are all most effective when your baby is young. After that, it becomes an emotional security item, like a safety blanket, that's hard to say goodbye to.

Whether your child stops sucking on a binky as a baby or into toddlerhood, try to avoid giving it during the daytime. This is especially important for toddlers who are practicing vocabulary and speech patterns. Your child should be able to practice their oral motor skills, babble, and talk when they are awake. They can't do that with a paci in their mouth. If they try, their speech may be distorted and difficult to understand. 

Ensure your child attends regular dental and pediatric check-ups. Your child's medical providers will be able to catch problems early and guide you toward the best solution. If you're worried about anything related to binkies, check with your child's doctors!

Above all, remember that a binky should not be an soothing crutch. It's a valuable tool with plenty of benefits, but it shouldn't replace good old fashioned cuddling and soothing. Forming a bond with physical affection is crucial for infants establishing their attachment styles, so combining multiple soothing methods will help avoid a paci dependency.

Achieve Paci Perfection With Proper Usage

As long as you use binkies properly and safely, you won't have to worry about your child's speech. It's a valuable parenting tool that just needs a little understanding to be used effectively and safely. There's no need to be afraid to introduce the paci. Just keep in mind your usage and your baby's needs!

And, stay informed! New research is always coming out, and it can change the parenting game. Be sure to look to reputable sources like medical centers and journals so you can implement the best practices for your kiddo.

Ready to pick out a paci? Check out our collection of safe, all natural pacifers for infants and toddlers! If you wanna learn more, we have blogs ranging from recognizing latex allergies to choosing the best nipple shape, and more. Remember to do what's best for your child, and happy parenting!