11 yr old pacifier

[eb1960]

How abnormal/normal is it for a 11 yr old to still want to suck on a pacifier at night?  

[rebbecca]

i think it would be very abnormal, my son isnt 2 yet and he doesnt have a pacifier anymore.

[oldmum]

It seems quite abnormal to me, but I never gave any of my children pacifiers to start with.

If you however concider thumb sucking to be the same as pacifier sucking, my almost 12 year old daughter still sucks her thumb at night and when watching TV. We want her to stop but she won't!

Does your child still want the pacifier whilst sleeping over somewhere with other children?

[Pattyh1]

My 10 year old niece does the same thing. All I know is my brother is going to have a big orthodontist bill because it has ruined her teeth. I suggest that pacifiers are taken away at age one while they can be taken away. Maybe give her something to look forward to like pierced ears or  buy a body pillow to get cozy. And plan a funeral for all the pacifiers to put a closing to it.

[wannabenana]

It's very abnormal and I blame the parents.

[RockRose]

eb,  this is a little unusual,  but it seems harmless.  

[teko]

Abnormal, overbite problems and dental bills galore down the road. I had a heck of a time breaking my daughter from sucking her thumb and forefinger.  Did it up to around 12 in her sleep.

[CMR_5]

I really think that it is abnormal. Since I don't know you, I just want to ask, does your child have any behavioral issues? If not, Letting your child throw away or have some kind of cerimony for letting the pacifier go. At older ages like 11 or so, your child should really be able to deal with not having the pacifier. I'm not a doctor, but I am a nurse and I have devoted much of my time to my own 3 children. I will not badmouth any parent who is going through this. It can be very hard if you don't have the skills to know exactly what to do.......but you are here for advice and help. I agree with one of the other posters about replacing the pacifier with something else that might be comforting. It's almost like taking the pacifier away from a baby or very young todler even though your child is older. It can be hard on parents because we love our kids so much and don't want to see them upset, but it's for the best and that is the way that you have to look at it. It can cause dental problems as well as social problems. It's best to break the habit asap. Another idea that may work if your child won't go for the going away party for the pacifier is to put something that doesn't taste good on the part that they suck on (ie. the stuff you use to stop nail biting or hot sauce) Whatever you decide to do, just stick with it and be consistant.

[kyle167]

I am a 18 year old kid and i had pacifier at night until i was around 13, it did not efect my teeth, my uncle is a child phsycoligist he told me this is more commen then most people think,your 11 year will give it up himself soon like i did dont worry about **** other people say .