Can Pacifiers Ruin Sleep Training? Yes… and No.
Let me say the “bad” thing first:
Pacifiers can absolutely ruin your sleep training. 😬
But… not for the reason you think.
Pacifiers aren’t the enemy — dependence is.
Pacifiers only become a problem when your baby cannot find and replace it completely on their own, or when you are the one providing it during the sleep training process. That may sound harmless (and loving, and helpful), but it can quietly undermine everything you’re working so hard to achieve: independent sleep.
The Hidden Problem With Replacing the Pacifier
Here’s what happens when you give a pacifier during sleep training:
Your baby doesn’t learn how to self-soothe.
They learn how to wait for you.
Think of it from your baby’s perspective. Every time the pacifier falls out and you go in to put it back, you are teaching them one simple rule: If I cry, my parent will come and fix this.
So what happens the next time the pacifier falls out?
They cry.
And they wait.
And they escalate their cries because they’re not expecting to solve the problem — they are expecting you to solve it for them.
Suddenly the pacifier isn’t the comfort tool… you are.
This turns the pacifier into a sleep prop rather than a soothing tool, and it can lead to:
Increased crying during the night
More frequent night wakings
Longer settling times
Frustration for both baby and parent
Often, parents come to me saying, “Sleep training isn’t working for my baby.” But when we break down the night, what we actually see is a pattern of well-intentioned pacifier replacement that’s getting in the way of progress.
This doesn’t mean you’ve done anything wrong. It means you’ve been trying to comfort your baby in the only way that feels natural. And that instinct is beautiful. But during sleep training, consistency and independence are what create real, lasting change.
When Pacifiers Can Work During Sleep Training
Here’s the important part:
Pacifiers and sleep training can absolutely coexist — but only when your baby is doing 100% of the work themselves.
That means:
Your baby can find the pacifier in their crib
They can pick it up on their own
They can replace it in their mouth independently
And they can do all of this in the dark or semi-dark
If your baby can do that consistently, the pacifier becomes a tool — not a barrier.
In these cases, I often recommend placing multiple pacifiers around the crib so your baby has several opportunities to grab one if it falls out. Think of it as setting them up for success without stepping in and doing the job for them.
However — and this is important — even if your baby can technically replace the pacifier, if you are still walking in during check-ins and handing it to them, you are undoing that independence.
During sleep training, your job is to guide, not rescue.
That means:
No handing it over during check-ins
No “one last time” at 3am
No replacing it while they’re half asleep
I know how tempting it is. It feels like the fastest solution in the moment. But it almost always leads to more waking and more crying in the long run.
What If My Baby Can’t Replace It Yet?
If your baby is still too young or hasn’t mastered the skill of replacing the pacifier, you generally have two options during sleep training:
Remove the pacifier entirely for now and focus on independent sleep skills without it
Pause sleep training until your baby is developmentally ready to replace it themselves
Many parents worry that removing the pacifier will make things worse. In reality, babies often adapt faster than we expect. While there may be an adjustment period, independence usually follows much more quickly without the pacifier as a middleman.
And remember: a baby who learns to fall asleep without needing a pacifier is a baby who can fall back asleep without it too.
That’s the real goal.
The Finish Line: Independent, Restful Sleep
Sleep training isn’t about removing comfort. It’s about teaching your baby how to access comfort on their own.
When you eliminate the need for parental intervention, you give your child a powerful skill: the ability to self-soothe, resettle, and sleep peacefully.
That’s when the magic happens.
Better naps.
Fewer night wakings.
A well-rested baby.
A well-rested you.
And suddenly, the nights feel manageable again.
So if you’re in the middle of sleep training right now, ask yourself one simple question:
Is my baby using the pacifier… or are they waiting for me to give it to them?
Your answer will tell you exactly what your next step should be.
And as always, if you need help navigating pacifiers and sleep training for your baby’s specific age, temperament, and sleep history — I’m here to help 🤍
