Baby's First Year
Return to:
- Baby's First Year
- Parenting Resources
- Families: Nebraska's Future
- Search this Site
- Your Local Extension Office
Programs are available throughout Nebraska to help meet the needs of families and children
One Year Olds Still Need to Suck
12 Month Old Babies
You may think now that your little one is 12 months old, she doesn't need to suck a pacifier or thumb any more. Not so!
Studies show the second year of life is the peak time for sucking. By 2 1/2 years-old, most children suck less and begin to give up the habit all by themselves.
Sucking a pacifier or a thumb will not hurt a child's teeth if it stops before the second teeth come in at age 6.
Why do children like to suck? Because it's calming, and it helps them relieve stress. A study of 12 month olds found that when their moms left them with a pacifier in a room full of toys, they stayed longer, explored more and played with more toys than children without pacifiers.
Sucking also helps a baby sleep. Noises and things that would wake a child just make her suck harder.
Try to understand and respect your child's need to be comforted by sucking or by keeping a favorite toy or blanket nearby. Your patience will help your child give up these habits on her own, when she is ready.
More Parenting & Family Resources:
Photo Credit - USDA Photo by Ken Hammond
Photos and Resources: For information on reproducing resources or using any photographs or graphics, read the Terms of Use statement)
Return for more Parenting Resources for Baby's First Year 