To let my 4yo sleep with a dummy?

[maisybobbins]

I hope I'm not about to be spit roasted here but...

I took the beloved dummy away from DS when he was about 2.5. He's just turned 4. But he got croup over summer and when he cried (which badly aggravates croup) the best way of stopping him instantly was giving him the dummy. So he's now back on it, for sleeping only of course. It's just such a relief for him, like flicking the off switch and he's asleep within five mins.

But are there any reasons I should force him to stop again? Is it really bad for his teeth?

I didn't go down the dummy route but I had a DC who was glued to my nipple at night for 2 years and who, at 3, still sleeps in my bed. She's here right now. I think you do whatever you need to do for everyone to sleep well OP. If it is just at night time for comfort then I can't see the harm.

PS My siblings and I did not have dummies and our teeth were shocking. Braces all round. My good friend used a dummy until she was 6 (she's 30 now) and she has perfect teeth.

Patsajack You can tell. Dummies cause a very distinctive issue with teeth/bite. its called an open bite where you literally can see the space between the two rows of teeth where the dummy 'fits'. Of course it doesn't happen in all children who use dummies, but it greatly increases the risk.

Greatfuck - that was my daughter's mouth. Patsajack - some orthodontic issues are genetic or unrelated to dummies but the one in the photo is proven. Dentists are scientists like doctors - they don't eat categorically something is related unless it is. Open bits symptoms from dummies look the same. My daughter still has symptoms two years on which affect her ability to learn to read and talk properly. If I were op and had my time again I'd burn the things!! Find another comforter (teddy, night light etc) not your bed, that's not the answer to a child who can't settle himself.

If concerned about teeth why not visit the dentist and ask if there are any signs of a problem yet? If not then you can relax a bit.

Thanks all of you for your replies. I am mostly feeling relieved and fine with him having it just to soothe while dropping off but then will whip it out 10 mins later.

He has a dentist appointment on Wednesday (by coincidence) so I'm definitely going to ask about the open bite. Horrified by that photo! and going to visually check him tomorrow for signs!

I'm so glad I dared to ask the question.