How Old Is to old for a pacifier?

Question

My Nephew is 4 years old and still has a pacifier in his mouth 24/7.

Whenever he comes over to my house, he won't take it out except to eat, or drink and then it goes right back in.

I talked to his mom about it and she says he'll give it up when he's ready.

I don't think he will be giving it up anytime soon, as I see 7 and 8 year old's still using pacifiers and I think it looks awful when a child above age 2 is sucking on a pacifier.

Is there anyway I can get him to give up the pacifier. His mom obviously won't try anything?

Answer 1

4 is certainly too old to be sucking on a pacifier. I don't like pacifier use at all. But when I see a 4 year old with one in his/her mouth it makes me cringe.

Pacifier use can also mess up teeth. When he takes it out to eat, grab the pacifier and try and put something sour on it.

Or you could also try snipping the nipple off a little at a time.

If you don't get rid of the pacifier soon, he'll be wanting to take it to school. And he'd certainly get laughed at there.

That also might make him want to give it up.