There’s nothing like a summer holiday with the extended family to raise the dummy debate. Everyone, it seems, has an opinion on whether your child should be using a dummy, exactly how deformed their teeth will be because of it, and the number of bacteria it carries.
The reality is that dummies are very soothing for a baby, and when you’re a parent that word “soothing” translates to “sleep”. Here’s some information on dummies to help you make up your mind about whether to use them and how to stop once you’ve started, rather than rely on Aunty olive’s sage advice:
Current expert advice on dummies is not to use them until you’ve got breast-feeding well established.
Sucking is a natural activity for a baby and they find it very calming. If your baby seems comforted by a dummy and it isn’t being used to delay a feed or get a cuddle and some attention, then it’s fine.
For a baby who likes to suck to comfort, a dummy is a better option than sucking because you can get rid of the dummy eventually.
There is a theory that using a dummy can reduce the incidence of cot death but there still needs to be some more research before it is definitive.
Do keep it clean. Sterilize it regularly and wash with hot water and soap at other times. Always check for rips or tears which may harbour bacteria.
Do attach it to your baby to prevent it falling on the floor, but not tied around the neck, as this could lead to terrible accidents like strangulation. A good trick is to use clips with short ribbons attached to them which you can buy at the shops. Mr make your own using a safety pin and a short piece of ribbon.
Don’t always rely on the dummy to automatically soothe your child every time he or she is upset. Cuddling and talking to your child are your first actions before checking there isn’t a nappy or hunger issue.
Do aim to only use it for the first 12 months of your baby’s life.
Don’t ask me about taking the dummy out of your toddler’s life. I just couldn’t do it with one of my daughters but thankfully my mother-in-law (a mother of nine) told her it was broken and there were no more dummies. Every time my daughter asked for it she distracted her and within hours it was forgotten. Sometimes it pays to ask someone with less attachment to take care of it for you.
Another technique for weaning off the dummy is to give it to the tooth fairy by putting it under the pillow and replacing it with some money. This is unlikely to work on a one-yearold but two-year-olds get the picture.
If your child is reaching school age and still likes the dummy then you need to get serious. Bribes of ridiculous amounts of money are good. Mr make a plan where all the dummies get traded for a toy or game they want, while you constantly reinforce your child for being so grown up.
Do not ever ridicule a child or use punishment and humiliation for having a dummy. If you make it a problem, it won’t go away. The key with any behaviour change is to do it without a fuss, otherwise you risk your child using the behaviour to get a reaction. Talk to your child about growing up and not using the dummy so much and do it gradually. Have a star chart and rewards for every few hours they spend without it and gradually work up to a dummy free day, with a big reward at the end of it.
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