Do Pacifiers Really Impact Speech and Language Development?

For many parents, pacifiers are lifesavers! They’re a tried-and-true way to soothe a fussy baby (trust us - WE GET IT). But as much as pacifiers bring comfort, parents may wonder - could they be impacting their child’s speech and language development? Let’s dive in…

Do Pacifiers Cause Language Delays?

There isn’t a clear answer - the jury is still out. While some experts believe pacifier use discourages talking - since toddlers are less likely to talk with something in their mouth - recent research suggests that prolonged pacifier use (after age 1) does NOT cause language delays . It is true that pacifier-using toddlers may say less words, but studies show that this is correlational, not causation. Simply put - many children with speech and language delays also happen to be pacifier users, but that does not mean the pacifier is to blame. Some kids are naturally fussier or slower to develop language, whether they use a pacifier or not.

What About Speech Sounds?

While pacifiers may not impact language development, they can impact speech development. Extended pacifier use can interfere with how toddlers move their tongues and lips, which may lead to:

• Improper tongue posture (which can impact articulation - how we say sounds)
• A narrow palate (which may impact speech and feeding)
• An open bite (which can make certain sounds harder to produce)

So…Should You Ditch the Pacifier?

If your little one loves the pacifier, don’t panic! There’s no need to send in the paci-fairy overnight. However, it may be worth limiting pacifier usage to sleep times or even think about gradual weaning to minimize any potential speech-related effects. Try swapping the pacifier for other comfort strategies - like cuddles, loveys, or music - especially during non-sleep times.

At the end of the day, parenting is full of decisions - and YOU get to decide what is best for your child and family. No guilt - only informed choices.

You got this! 💛