Using a Dummy

[HowDoIGetHimOut]

Hi,

My 2 week old baby has had some really unsettled days...I have never been keen on dummies and have tried everything to settle him but after it all getting to me a bit and giving him a dummy, I have realised how quickly they settle with them.

What I need is advice on how to use one properly so he doesn't have it in constantly. Also...possibly a really stupid question...but will he still be able to tell me that he needs changing or he is hungry, etc with a dummy in his mouth?

Thank you.

A very frazzled new mommy!

[Goldenjubilee10]

Hi. I wasn't keen on dummies but in the end, and for different reasons, all three of mine had them. He will certainly still be able to tell you when he is hungry or needs changed.

At the moment I would use it when ever you need to. Don't worry about restricting it. As he gets bigger, begins to interact with you and has more wakeful play times you can move to just using it to Settle him to nap/bed.

I found it really useful when I wanted to get them into a routine. If I put then down with their dummy and a muslin square they went straight to sleep.

Remember they are like this for such a short time.

[Fuzzymum1]

Using a dummy really helped get DS3 into a routine, putting the dummy in his mouth was like hitting the off switch - he would be asleep in seconds. Before I had DS1 I was very anti-dummy but all three of mine have had them and they made a massive difference to the stress levels in the house.

[Portofino]

Oh - don't feel bad about using one. It can really help - and you can phase it out later.

[Loislane78]

Introduced one about 6 wks as v sucky baby (for comfort). Has meant DP can help settle her now too. Don't worry, they'll easily spit it out to let you know they need something :)

[LittleBearPad]

It has really worked so far with DD and I didn't plan or want to use one however thought I'd give one a go when nothing else seemed to work. She is 24 weeks now and has one for naps and when she goes to sleep at night. The rest of the time she chews her toys .

[pmgkt]

I was anti too but a knowledgable friend bought a load of useful bits and bobs when ds1 was born. One night, about 10 weeks in he had cried for hours, nothing was working, so we openned them and he was quiet and asleep in no time. He only had it when nothing else would do, rather than shoving it in as a first response, and by 6 months he only had it when he woke at night so that I could break the cycle of night feeding just to go to sleep. But within a month I found him dropping it when he slept and woke him up. 2 nights if not using it and they were in the bin. I have already bought a few for ds2 due in December and will use in a similar way. I guess I'm saying just cos they use one as a small baby, doesn't mean it will be a big battle to drop and its not got to be used for a king period once they pass that stage.