As a parent, I know we all want what is best for our children, especially when it comes to their speech and language development. If you’re wondering about the connection between pacifier use and speech delay, you’re not alone. As a speech-language pathologist, parents often ask me for my stance on pacifiers. In this article, you will learn when to use pacifiers, how pacifiers impact speech development, and when and how to transition away from them.
Pacifier Usage 101
When Should I Introduce a Pacifier?
When you first bring your new baby home, you have a lot to learn and remember, but most parents know that a pacifier is a great tool to help sooth and comfort their infants. Many companies offer the “most breast-like” pacifier, but the truth is, the best pacifier for your infant is:
- One that fits in their mouth
- One that they can achieve a full seal around
- One that is easy to find (in case you inevitably lose it)

Pacifiers have many advantages for young children, as well. They have been shown to:
- Reduce risk of SIDS (Hauck FR, Omojokun OO, Siadaty MS, 2005)
- Soothe reflux symptoms (Orenstein SR, 1988)
- Improve sucking coordination (Foster JP, Psaila K, Patterson T., 2016)
When Should I Take the Pacifier Away?
It is best to remove the pacifier before your child’s first teeth emerge, so that teeth are able to naturally grow and develop without the interference of a foreign object (pacifier) which can cause:
- tooth flaring
- high arching of the palate, and
- contribute to a low tongue resting posture
The other advantage to removing the pacifier at this time is that it will be easier, as you will not face the same behaviors you would face with a toddler who has been sucking on a pacifier for 1+ years.
How Does Pacifier Use Affect Speech Development?
Now that you know how useful pacifiers can be for soothing and comforting infants, you should also be aware of how prolonged pacifier use can impact speech and language development. Once children begin to communicate, the pacifier can act like a stopper, which prevents ongoing communication.
- Reduced Opportunities for Babbling: Babbling is essential for the development of first words. Babies practice forming sounds, which helps them build the skills needed for words. When a pacifier is in their mouth, they may have fewer opportunities to babble and explore different sounds.
- Oral Muscle Development: Extended pacifier use can affect the development of oral muscles, including the tongue and lips. These muscles are crucial for articulation (producing speech sounds) and swallowing. Overuse may contribute to improper tongue placement or difficulty producing certain sounds. In particular, kids who have used a pacifier for an extended period of time have difficulty with sounds that require the tongue tip (s, z), or lip rounding (sh, ch)
- Hearing and Listening Skills: Communication is a two-way street. Babies and toddlers need to hear and respond to language to learn it. When a pacifier is used frequently, it might limit their ability to respond to sounds or words from their environment, affecting their language exposure.
What Are the Other Impacts of Pacifier Usage?
In addition to the speech concerns listed above, ongoing pacifier usage can also impact your child’s airway, which can contribute to poor sleep and attentional issues. Long-term pacifier usage can:
- Cause low tongue resting posture, which makes nasal breathing difficult
- Pushes the palate up higher which can lead to the need for orthodontic intervention to correct facial shape
- Lack of muscular development for the tongue, which can lead to an avoidance of certain food textures, in addition to the articulation concerns listed above.
Is There a Link Between Pacifier Use and Speech Delay?
Although it is difficult to find research showing a definite correlation between pacifier use and speech delay, clinically we see many children with speech, language, and feeding delays due to a history of prolonged pacifier usage. While I recommend transitioning away from the pacifier around 6 months of age, it is highly recommended to transition as early as possible to avoid potential impacts on speech, oral development, and even dental health.
Tips for Parents to Transition from a Pacifier
When you’ve decided your child’s time with the pacifier is over, here’s some tips to help transition.
- Limit Pacifier Use: Try to reserve the pacifier for specific chunks of time during the day, while being mindful that your child should not have a pacifier when they want to babble/communicate (i.e. at daycare, during playtime).
- Provide Distractions: When transitioning away from a comfort object, provide your child with other objects that can be comforting, such as a new stuffed animal, play doh for children who are old enough, or sticker books.
- Monitor Speech Milestones: Keep track of your child’s speech and language milestones. If you notice any delays or have concerns, consult a speech-language pathologist for guidance.
- For Older Children: Because the habit becomes ingrained around 18 months, it may be necessary to consult a professional to work on oral motor skills and help your child transition away from their pacifier.
Signs Your Child May Need Support
If you’re concerned about a possible speech delay, here are some signs to watch for:
- Limited babbling or sound-making by 6 to 9 months
- Difficulty saying first words by 12 to 15 months
- Trouble combining words into simple phrases by 2 years
- Limited vocabulary compared to peers
If your child is showing any of these signs, a professional evaluation can help identify and address potential challenges early.
The Bottom Line
Pacifiers can be a helpful tool in the early months, but it’s important to use them thoughtfully to support your child’s overall development. By balancing pacifier use and providing plenty of opportunities for communication, you can set your child up for success.
If you have concerns about pacifier use and its potential impact on your child’s speech and language development, we can help make a plan to support your family. Early support can make all the difference in helping your little one thrive.
Looking for more tips to support your child’s speech and language development? Check out my book, Teaching Talking, for practical strategies you can use every day!
References
Hauck FR, Omojokun OO, Siadaty MS. Do pacifiers reduce the risk of sudden infant death syndrome? A meta-analysis. Pediatrics. 2005 Nov;116(5):e716-23. doi: 10.1542/peds.2004-2631. Epub 2005 Oct 10. PMID: 16216900.
Orenstein SR. Effect of nonnutritive sucking on infant gastroesophageal reflux. Pediatr Res. 1988 Jul;24(1):38-40. doi: 10.1203/00006450-198807000-00010. PMID: 3412848.
Foster JP, Psaila K, Patterson T. Non-nutritive sucking for increasing physiologic stability and nutrition in preterm infants. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2016 Oct 4;10(10):CD001071. doi: 10.1002/14651858.CD001071.pub3. PMID: 27699765; PMCID: PMC6458048.
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