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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

or is this really common practice?

55 replies

turtle23 · 08/08/2010 09:28

On two seperate occasions I have said in passing to people I know that DS2 would not take a dummy. These two people both said "Oh, I had the same problem so I forced DC to have one." When asked what that entailed they both said they'd kept it in by tying a muslin round their heads. I was Shock but apparently this is what a lot of people do. Strikes me as horribly cruel and dangerous. AIBU?

OP posts:
Alicetheinvisible · 08/08/2010 13:16

There was someone last year marketing a product that does the same thing. There was a thread about it. Will see if anyone else remembers it.....

LucyLouLou · 08/08/2010 13:19

I've always been slightly ambivalent about dummys tbh. I have bought some in preparation for my DD, but if she doesn't take them, I certainly won't be forcing them on her. I'm horrified that some people do. The whole 'dummys reduce cot death risk' is the main reason I'll try them, but tying them onto the face provides more of a risk than a benefit IMO, not to mention that it's beyond cruel!

Alambil · 08/08/2010 13:22

I used to swaddle ds with his fingers in and make it tight enough so he didn't move his fingers too far away... but it never went over his face!

funkychunkymunky · 08/08/2010 13:31
Shock

My DD wouldn't take a dummy. It made her gag when I put it in. I decided she didn't want nor need it. However, she now sucks her thumb (9 months) and I'm always getting people asking me why I didn't make her have a dummy as it would be easier to give up. I usually answer "oh that won't be a problem. I'm going to cut her thumb off" Wink

Oh and the comments over how it'll ruin her teeth. Yep but what can I do? She only sucks it when she's tired and never sleeps with it in her mouth.

PueriSimilisCanis · 08/08/2010 13:39

incredibly dangerous; there is a choking hazard if the baby sicks and a strangle hazard too

awful

thumbwitch · 08/08/2010 14:39

PSC - when did you go all Latin?? and why? (I do know who you are but not saying in case you're being covert Wink)

StealthPolarBear · 08/08/2010 14:42

never heard of this

Alice - the other product was to stop the dummy falling ou once in, not to get the child dependent on it in the first place. I know it'sa small difference & didnt agree with that either

PueriSimilisCanis · 08/08/2010 15:00

I did it last week thumbers; I was doing a spot of latin with the children and thought it might be fun

not covert at all but bless you for being discreet

thumbwitch · 08/08/2010 15:01

You're welcome! V. good fun.

misdee · 08/08/2010 15:04

blimey!

i do thread dd4 dummies through a muslin cloth, as she likes to hold the cloths and have the dummy at the same time. also means she can find her dummy easier. but she is a lot older.

thumbwitch · 08/08/2010 15:12

BALD, I'm not going to copy you any time soon - it's Pollexveneficus - doubt anyone would get that!!

PosieParker · 08/08/2010 15:16

Never heard of it either.

toddlerama · 08/08/2010 15:20

sounds horrific. Poor babies Sad

Alicetheinvisible · 08/08/2010 15:22

Here is the thread i started seeing if people remembered (was sure i was going mad!) and LadyintheRadiator has found it.

Original poster
turtle23 · 08/08/2010 15:28

Just wanted to add that I also use playpens for doing unsafe activities sych as cooking or running to front door. My "friend" uses hers for 4-5 hours so that she can nap or clean without interruption. Confused

OP posts:
TakeMeDrunkImHome · 20/07/2011 13:42

Here

eurochick · 20/07/2011 13:45

What's the benefit in forcing a dummy on a child that doesn't want one?

ChickensHaveNoEyebrows · 20/07/2011 13:45

Seriously? People actually do this? WT actual F!

pingu2209 · 20/07/2011 13:46

No that is not common practise. None of my dc could take a dummy - all of them were tongue tied and it just fell out.

I didn't perserver as a lot of family and friends whose children did have a dummy found it a bloody nightmare getting them to give it up - especially at night. My brother used to put over a dozen dummies in his sons cot and then bed so that at night if my nephews dummy fell out the boy could find one, any one, without waking up his parents. Even then my nephew woke up at least half dozen times a night - right up till he was 3!

TakeMeDrunkImHome · 20/07/2011 13:48

Sorry!! I didn't mean to bring this thread back up, it's from years ago! Was searching for an old thread of mine at the same as chatting and have linked on the wrong thread (this one!) WOOPS! Blush

JanMorrow · 20/07/2011 13:51

I read this in a chicklit novel "from here to maternity" by sinead moriarty.. so I'm disinclined to believe it's actually true.

but it's an old thread.. oops.

Sandalwood · 20/07/2011 13:59

I remember the thread about the product to tie the dummy into the baby's mouth.
Didn't we stop it?

I think there was a mother charged with murder, when her baby suffocated because she'd done something similar.

Sandalwood · 20/07/2011 14:00

oh I see that now TMDIH

catgirl1976 · 20/07/2011 14:05

That sounds horrendous!

StrandedBear · 20/07/2011 14:06

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

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