Can dummies ever be for Occasional Use? Gave in and gave one to 5 week old DD

[citybranch]

I was trying really hard not to give in and give DD (5 weeks) a dummy, mainly because it is soooo hard trying to get DS (2.5 years) to give his up. I've been struggling to get DS to sleep because of DD's constant evening crying (DH on late shifts so can't help) and tonight poor DS was so tired and stressed out after a few hours of the baby crying that I gave her the dummy.
It worked, but I'm thinking, I've done it now, I'll never get that dummy from her!
Has anyone else resorted to a dummy just for emergencies without their LO getting 'addicted'? Or have you let them have it early on and then taken it away successfully? If so, how? Can dummies ever be for Occasional use?

[Housemum]

Have you tried slipping the dummy out when she falls asleep? I'd forgotten that DD3 had a dummy at all until I was just putting some photos in the album - she's 18 mths now, we gave her one at about 4 wks, only when really necessary and slipped it out when she'd drifted off. Think she didn't need it from around 3 mths. She obviously wasn't a v "sucky" baby, so perhaps we were just lucky - I did the same with DD1, DD2 found her thumb and only stopped that at around 5.

[frumplump]

I think they are an important part of a baby's paraphernalia until 10wks

[snala]

Current sids advice is to give a dummy when settling to sleep.If it helps the whole family sleep too its an added bonus!!
The dummy fairy sounds like a good idea for giving it up.I havnt had that battle yet!.DS is 17 months and just has it at bedtime.
Ds number 2 is due in 6 weeks so dont intend to get rid yet.
How has your ds taken to dd? Im a bit worried how mine will cope. Any tips? xx

[Jojay]

Ds1 went off it at 11 months with no persuasion from us.

Ds2 went off it a 3 months on his own accord (and bottles too, but that's another story )

They don't all become addicts

[MatNanPlus]

only use it when you have too and try not to worry, rethink using it in 3 months.

[flowerybeanbag]

DS's was really only occasionally to start with, then ended up being regularly for sleeping only.

Once it started getting too regular, we just took it away, at about 8mo iirc. One night of trauma, second night of slight stress, third night bliss.

I will be getting a dummy for DC2 and will not be attempting to 'hold out' as I did for DS.

[citybranch]

Haha, its just that DS is definitely an 'addict' and I sucked my thumb until I was about 9!
I gave DS his dummy straight away when he was born, I always thought, oh yeah he'll give it up before he's one! I guess I just haven't tried hard enough, same with potty training but it all seems quite an ordeal when there's a newborn.
I had heard that about SIDS so that definitely makes me feel a bit better about things!
snala my DS has been a lot better about his new sister than I expected...i was so worried as he went through a tantrumming phase when I was heavily pg and I expected him to be worse when the baby arrived. But he's been fine really!Try not to worry, he may well take it all in his stride!

[citybranch]

Is it better to get rid before they reach toddlerhood do you think? Perhaps I could try and get rid of all dummies by christmas...DS's by the age of 3 and DD's by 6 months. The other thing now is if DS sees DD with one will it be harder to persuade him to give up?

[snala]

Thanks for the re assurance citybranch. Xmas sounds good.Could try leaving the dummy out for santa to swap for gifts.

[mrsjuan]

We use one with our 6 week old daughter occasionally (I know it's early days and the addiction may well be creeping up but we'll see). Some nights she doesn't need it, some nights I wish she would take it but won't and other nights it is an absolute godsend.
I'm also considering using ot when I make some attempt to get her daytime naps more organised.
Hopefully we will be able to get rid of it without too much trauma at some point but if not I'm thinking that a crying 1 or 2 year old for a few nights wil be less traumatic than a crying newborn for 6 months IYSWIM