Does a dummy delay speech? Myths, risks and when to act

The question comes up repeatedly in conversations, family discussions and parent groups: does the dummy delay speech? The short answer is: in itself, the dummy does not “spoil” speech, but prolonged and almost constant use can indeed interfere with the development of speech, language and other important oral functions.

If your child loves their dummy, wakes up with it, plays with it, and falls asleep with it, it's natural to wonder if this habit might be limiting their desire to speak, how they articulate sounds, or even how their mouth and tongue are developing.

In this article, we explain in simple terms when dummy (pacifier) use is considered acceptable, in which situations prolonged use can be a problem, and what you can do in practice to protect your child's speech and language.

Throughout the text, we will answer in detail the question “Does the dummy delay speech?” and show when it makes sense to seek Speech therapy to clarify doubts or intervene early.

Does a dummy delay speech? 

Non-nutritive sucking (sucking on a dummy, finger or other objects) is normal behaviour in the first few months of life and can play an important role in the baby's self-regulation and comfort. The issue is not using a dummy, but rather how, for how long, and until what age this use continues.

In general, studies have shown that prolonged pacifier use can be associated with:

• Less time with an open mouth for babbling, experimenting with sounds, and interacting verbally with adults;
• Changes in tongue and lip positioning, which can affect the way certain sounds are produced;
• Maior risco de alterações na dental arcade, which also influence articulation;
• Possible association with Mouth breathing and other oral habits that impact orofacial development.

This does not mean that all children who use a dummy will have a speech or language delay. But it helps to understand why so many professionals advocate for pacifier use to be moderate and gradually withdrawn, ideally around the age of 2 or shortly after, rather than continuing until older ages.

Prolonged use of a dummy can interfere with speech because it keeps the tongue in a forward, flat position, which is not ideal for forming the sounds needed for speech. It can also affect the development of the palate and jaw muscles, which are crucial for clear enunciation.

When we consider whether dummies delay speech, we're not just talking about isolated sounds. We're talking about a set of factors that, when added together, can hinder a child's communicative development.

Fewer opportunities to speak and experiment with sounds

Speech is learned by speaking. If a child spends a large part of the day with a dummy in their mouth, they have less useful time for babbling, mimicking sounds, playing with words, and responding to adults. Interaction still exists, but it may become poorer in terms of verbal output.

In the early years of life, every minute that the mouth is free and active, exploring sounds and words, is a training opportunity. When parents report that a child “only takes out the dummy to say a quick word and puts it back in”, it is worth reflecting on the balance between comfort and language development.

Tongue and lip positioning

Prolonged pacifier use can lead to the tongue becoming accustomed to resting lower and further back in the mouth, while the lips adapt to hold the pacifier teat in place. This pattern is not the most favourable for the production of many speech sounds.

Sounds such as /s/, /z/, /t/, /d/, /n/, /l/, and even certain trills may require adjustment if the tongue is not accustomed to occupying the appropriate positions. In some cases, this contributes to articulatory errors or a speech pattern that is more “childlike” than expected for the age.

Influence on the dental arch and chewing

The habit of sucking that is maintained for several years can alter the way the jaws grow and how the teeth relate to each other (for example, an anterior open bite). These dental changes, besides requiring dental follow-up, can make the correct production of certain sounds and chewing itself more difficult.

When there are doubts about chewing, refusal of more solid foods, or difficulty taking a bite, it is useful to read about difficulty chewing in children and, if necessary, request a specific assessment in orofacial motor skills.

Does a dummy delay speech in all children?

No. Some children use dummies (pacifiers) and develop speech and language within the expected timeframes. Others, with similar usage, show clear delays in verbal expression or the articulation of sounds. This happens because speech is the result of a combination of several factors: genetics, linguistic environment, opportunities for interaction, general health, hearing, among others.

What the evidence suggests is that prolonged, intense, and poorly controlled pacifier use increases the risk of difficulties, especially when combined with other factors, such as few opportunities for conversation, reduced exposure to language, or a family history of Language delay and speech problems.

Therefore, instead of looking for a rigid answer to the question “does a dummy delay speech?”, it is more useful to think in terms of risk and balance: the later it is removed, the more hours a day the child uses it and the fewer opportunities they have to speak, the greater the likelihood of an impact.

Warning signs: when the dummy might be hindering communication

Some signs that warrant greater attention include:

• After 2 years old, the child uses a dummy for most of the day, even when awake.;
• The child speaks little, pointing or pulling adults instead of using words;
• There are frequent comments that “one can't understand what is being said” or that “they speak to themselves”;
• The child takes the dummy out only to say one or two words, then puts it back in again.;
• At 3 years old, a large part of speech continues to be unclear to those who do not live with the child daily;
• The child seems to get irritated or anxious when asked to take out their dummy to speak.

If, in addition to the question “Does a dummy delay speech?”, you already feel that your child is speaking less than other children of the same age or that their speech is very difficult to understand, it might be useful to read about Children's speech problems and consider a paediatric speech therapy assessment.

Quando procurar terapia da fala?

You don't need to wait until the pacifier is completely weaned off to seek help. On the contrary: often, it is precisely with the support of... Paediatric speech therapy This allows the family to better organize the weaning process and understand what is actually happening with the child's speech.

It makes sense to schedule an evaluation when:

• The child is over 2 years old and remains very dependent on a pacifier during the day;
• There is a suspicion of language delay or the child uses few words for their age;
• The speech is barely perceptible, with many syllables "swallowed" or sounds substituted;
• Parents are unsure whether or not the pacifier is interfering with speech development;
• There are other associated issues, such as selective eating, refusal of more solid foods, or suspected mouth breathing.

During the consultation, the speech therapist It assesses overall communication (language comprehension and expression, speech quality, orofacial motor skills) and helps the family decide on the best plan: to temporarily maintain, reduce, or remove the pacifier, and at what pace.

Practical strategies to reduce the impact of pacifiers on speech.

Even without immediately removing the pacifier, it's possible to reduce the risk of speech interference with some simple daily adjustments:

• Reserve the pacifier for moments of sleepiness, extreme tiredness, or need for comfort, avoiding having it available "all the time";
• Agree with the child (gradually) that when playing or talking, the pacifier should be kept in a specific place;
• Prioritize playtime that involves imitating sounds, songs, rhymes, and stories, with free mouth movement;
• Offering alternative comfort items, such as plush toys, blankets, or self-regulation strategies, so that the pacifier is no longer the only resource;
• Talk to the child a lot, narrate what is happening, ask simple questions and give them time to answer.

If you have questions about how to encourage communication in everyday life, practical content with speech therapy exercises They can help transform small routines into opportunities for speech and language practice.

Pacifier, sleep and behavior

For many families, the pacifier is closely linked to sleep: it's with the pacifier that the baby calms down, falls asleep, and falls asleep again in the early morning. Therefore, the question "does the pacifier delay speech?" is often accompanied by "if we take away the pacifier, will sleep get worse?".

In these cases, it may be helpful to combine a gradual weaning plan with a more structured organization of the child's sleep, resorting, when necessary, to specialized support in sleep therapy or child psychology.

The transition tends to be smoother when the focus is not just on taking something away, but on teaching new forms of comfort and reinforcing emotional security.

Can I have online speech therapy to clarify doubts?

Yes. In many cases, especially when the main concern is whether a pacifier delays speech in your child's specific case, a consultation can be done remotely. Through video calls, it's possible to discuss the routine, observe the interaction, watch short videos of the child speaking, and receive initial guidance.

When more prolonged follow-up is necessary, the intervention may combine in-person sessions with periods of... Online speech therapy, adjusting the plan to the family's reality.

Conclusion

A pacifier may have been, and often is, an important ally during periods of increased crying, colic, and difficult nights. Feeling guilty for having used it doesn't help. What makes the difference is what you decide to do from now on, in light of the question "does a pacifier delay speech?" and the information you already know.

If you feel that the pacifier takes up too much space in your daily life, if your child's speech isn't developing as you expected, or if you simply want to be sure you're on the right track, seek out quality information and don't hesitate to speak with a professional. Speech therapy.

The decision to keep, reduce, or remove the pacifier doesn't need to be made alone or based on conflicting opinions. With proper guidance, it's possible to find a realistic plan that respects the child and aligns with what we all ultimately want: clear speech, rich language, and calmer, more confident family communication.