[...] Pacifiers and  Bottles Lead to Speech Delays [...]

You’re not too blase. In fact, it’s time for this crap to die. No more fear mongering is necessary. I actually don’t know a mom or dad who never doubts themselves or who thinks that they are doing everything exactly right all the time. And yet, if you spank, scold, yell, praise, punish, feed sugar, allow pacifiers, allow thumbsucking, comfort, support, co-sleep, sleep train, lie, work, stay home, or even look at your kid… you’ve just ruined their entire life!

I’m not too concerned because they’re saying “for more than three years”…which is too long IMHO anyhow for a paci. My MIL is constantly on me about the paci. Well, the paci can disappear, whereas I cannot remove a thumb! (Two of my sibling-in-laws required quite expensive orthodontia that could be directly attributed to thumbsucking)
As for the bottle? Well, sorry. Had to go back to work at 6 weeks. Baby has to eat.

My son used a bink at night / early morning right up to his 8th b’day. I warned him that if he left them “around” and the puppy chewed anymore up I was not buying more. Well, pup chewed and they were not replaced.

My 3 year old still has her paci, which she only uses at night anyway, but she’s way ahead of the curve on speech. (Obviously I’m not one who thinks 3 is too old to have a paci.) I’ve been given all kinds of crap about it by even good friends of mine who really think I should take it away (my pediatrician thinks we gave it up at 18 months), but it causes her actual emotional distress when we talk about giving it up. She’s only 3 for goodness’ sake- what’s the rush to make her “grow up”? I’m with Madeline on the “everyone getting sleep” bandwagon too. As far as thumbsucking, my baby is a thumbsucker and I’d like to know how I’m supposed to keep her from doing that. Little baby straightjacket? Chili powder on her thumb (for a 7 month old)? I’m guessing people have sucked their thumbs as long as we have had them, and somehow as a species we manage to keep talking.

oh no! something else we do wrong!

my LO is 17 months and a happy paci user. she only gets them at night and for car rides, and it works well. it’s such a treat at night to hear her say (with such articulation!) “paci, mama?”

screw the study: do what works for you. if i read one more study/article/blog post that tries to pit the “good” parents against the “bad”, i’m gonna scream!

My boys like their binkies when they are sleepy, and they pretty much sleep through the night (with one feeding break, at only 3 months).

I am a Speech Pathologist and mom who URGES that pacifiers be gone no later than 2 and bottles by 1. Both my children used pacifiers as infants and bottles until they were old enough to use cups. Issues occur in many children when these products are used beyond recommended age. Oral issues such as open bite and raised palates cause all sorts of speech issues and high Othodontic bills, but hey – it keeps me employed. Really parents, it comes down to doing what’s in your child’s best interest – not what makes your life easier. Was it tough taking the paci away from my kids, YEP. Did I do it anyway, YEP. Get that silicone out of their mouths, find new bedtime routines – it wont kill ya. promise.