When a baby sucks on his or her thumb or fingers, parents can have a difficult time stopping the behavior. If a child does not stop sucking on his or her thumb or fingers once permanent teeth come in, a severe overbite can result. A pacifier puts less pressure on the teeth, creating less of an overbite than the thumb. Although curbing your child's habit can be emotional for everyone involved, the use of a pacifier can be controlled much easier than a thumb or finger.

In order for a baby to accept a pacifier over his or her thumb, it must be introduced during his first 2 months. After that time, his urge to suck decreases. It may require trying several different types of pacifiers before baby finds one he likes.

Once your baby begins to crawl, begin to wean her off the pacifier. At this time, her speech begins to develop and a pacifier may interfere with her progress.

To ensure your child doesn't walk around all day with a pacifier in his mouth, Boys Town Pediatrics suggests:

• Not offering a pacifier every time baby cries, especially during his first 6 months. There are many other reasons a young baby cries, including gas, sleepiness, over stimulation, etc.
  
• Comforting your older infant by cuddling before offering a pacifier.
  
• Keeping the pacifier in your child's crib after the age of 6 months, only allowing it during naptime and bedtime. Take the pacifier out of her mouth after she has fallen asleep.
  
• Providing some other type of security object for your child while she is awake, such as a stuffed animal or soft blanket.

If you do decide to use a pacifier for your baby, be sure to follow these safety precautions:

• Use only a one-piece pacifier from a retailer. A pacifier made at home from a bottle nipple can cause choking by becoming lodged in your baby's throat.
  
• Do not use a string to keep the pacifier around baby's neck. It could cause strangulation. Instead, buy a short pacifier clip that attaches to your child's clothing.
  
• Rinse the pacifier if it drops to the floor and each time your baby finishes using it.
  
• If the pacifier tears or becomes damaged, discard it and replace it with a new one.

Once your child turns 3 or 4, he or she should be ready to give up the pacifier. Do not try to take it away during a time that is stressful for your child, such as moving, starting preschool, or when mom or dad are away on business. Offer your child the option of throwing away the pacifier himself of leaving it out for the "pacifier fairy." And, be sure to give your child lots of praise for being a big girl or boy.