Amidst all the drama surrounding death, addiction, abuse, and other major issues on last week's Teen Mom finale, Dr. Drew Pinsky couldn't let go of one little, tiny thing -- a pacifier.
The good doctor was adamant that Ryan and Maci get Bentley, 2, to get rid of his pacifier.
Forget the bigger problems like him being pulled between two teenage parents wrapped up in a custody battle. There are more important matters to be had -- that damn piece of plastic in his mouth?
The fact that Dr. Drew even took the time or energy to focus on something so small in the midst of so many other huge life struggles was more than a little ridiculous.
Almost as ridiculous as Ryan's rebuttal to Dr. Drew's questioning:
"I had a bottle 'til I was 2, and I turned out great."
Which actually may be an argument in the other direction, but ... in general, really, what's the harm in kids having pacifiers -- especially kids who could use a little bit of comfort?
Yes, I know all the reasons why you should get rid of pacifiers like potential damage to teeth and possible interference with communication skills.
But honestly, I don't care ... much.
My son (now 7) had his until he was 4! We weaned him early to use it only in his crib ... and then his big boy bed. He didn't walk around with it, and it helped him sleep.
Plus, right about the time I was about to get hard core about making him give it up, we found out we were moving across the country. So to take that security away from him then seemed cruel.
Then one day after his 4th birthday, he wanted me to go on a roller coaster at Sea World. I HATE roller coasters, but I told him if I was brave enough to go on it with him, he had to be brave enough to give up his pacifier.
I made it through the ride, and he gave up his pacifier. And that was that. He was ready.
My daughter ... well, she's 21 months and still walks around with hers. I feel the glare of older women in the market as I imagine they're tsking me for letting her have it. Several people, including her preschool teacher, have made comments about her giving it up.
And she will, when she's ready.
For now, however, I'm not worried about it ... and neither should Dr. Drew be worried about Bentley and his. Let the boy be.
Oh, and for the record, my son has extremely healthy teeth, and my daughter has NO trouble communicating -- we actually have trouble getting her to stop talking.
Did/do your children use pacifiers? At what age did you take them away?
Image via mtv.com
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Comments 21
You take them away because it's bad for their teeth and speech. I would never hurt my child because I don't want her to whine for it. Children shouldn't have one in their mouth after they get teeth. So it was very important for him to say something on the show. Because of parents that think its ok to let there child walk around with it for years.
My doc said it was safe for a child to have a pacifier until they are 6. Until then, a pacifier doesn't cause any problems with their mouth or teeth.
Personally, I would like my son to get rid of his by age two.
I took my kids' binkies away the day before their first birthday. I cut a hole in the end of it and they didn't want it anymore. Easy as pie.
I have done everything to try to get rid of my sons, including cut holes, etc, and he won't do it. He will be two in December, still uses it. He uses it less now, more at naptime and bedtime and when he is sick or relaxing. He uses expensive orthodontic pacifiers that are supposedly shaped in a way that will not hurt your teeth- all of which he had before he was a year old, and his teeth are fine. I think people are ridiculously judgmental. It keeps him quiet and happy and he is slowly but surely giving it up his own way.
my doctor keeps trying to get me to take away my daughters but her dentist said its fine "in moderation" and like Shanna84 until her 6th bday. do i want her to lose it by the time shes three, yeah! her dad and i have taught her and she knows paci is only for sleeping and maybe if shes upset she'll ask for it. people are always gonna judge when they see a toddler with a pacifier but my thought is "its my kid, i know whats best for her"
My 5 year old took one from 2 to 3 months because he has started teething, after that he didn't want it. My 3 year old had one from the day he was born until 18 months. He was always sucking on something, clothes, hands, blankets, anything, so we gave him one. He still does sucking motions in his sleep. My 2 month old has had one since almost day one in the NICU. He does love sucking on things though so we have let him keep it.
I would never let my child have a pacifier after 12 months. Its bad for their teeth, bad for their speech, bad for their mouths overall.
He didn't harp on the subject at all, he gave them good advice and focused on an area that Ryan and Maci didn't agree in in their parenting. It showed teens the lack of control they may have if their child is growing up in a split home. That just because you determine its the right time to stop or try something, doesn't mean the other parent will agree or follow through, so your efforts become futile.