Soother: How and when should I start to wean my baby off it?

You should completely eliminate the soother by the time baby turns four years old. There are some paediatricians who suggest that the baby should give it up by age one. However, a few others are of the opinion that babies naturally grow out of it somewhere between the ages of two to four. So, don't push your baby too much to give it up too early.

It is, however, important that your baby begins to cut back on soother time by the age of two. It should be eliminated completely by the age of four. This is because a lot of sucking on the soother can lead to tooth problems during and after this age. 

You could try weaning your baby slowly in such a way that your baby does not even notice the transition. For example, you could try giving him the soother only at home and never outside the home. Slowly, the soother should only be available in his own room. Then give it to him only in his crib and nowhere else. You will require some patience to do this because the process may take weeks or even months. 

Another way is to tell your baby that he is a big boy and he will need to give up on his soother in a week. Keep reminding him that the time is getting nearer to give up on his soother. Promise to get him a new toy once he gives it up. If you do this the right way, you may be able to wean your baby off the soother even before the deadline!