Dummies/soothers...would it be mad/impossible to introduce one at 10 months?!

[JumpingJellyfish]

I have 3 DC, none of which have used a soother/dummy- mainly because I was concerned about nipple confusion in the early days and then because my Mum and MIL were very anti dummies and as I'd survived 8+ weeks without one for each newborn I figured we'd continute to manage without (they probably have used my boob as a dummy instead...hmmm).

DD2 (DC3)- now 10 months- is a very sucky baby- though like the others has never really got into sucking her thumb etc. She is also a terrible sleeper. I am now only b'feeding once a night but she wakes 5-8 times a night for snuggles/comfort/ a quick boob suck- and I do find myself wondering if she would benefit from a soother. She's quite a windy baby too and I've heard sometimes sucking can help that?! I'm guessing it's probably too late to introduce one even if I try, and I know from other friends how hard them can be to wean off them when they're 2 years old or so, but do you think it's worth trying?!

Thanks, any advice much appreciated

I wouldn't. If she's a sucky baby a dummy will only make the situation worse, ie everytime dummy falls out you'll be likely to have to replug it in. Plus you'll then have to get rid of the dummy eventually which is a hassle.

If she wakes 5-8 times a night for a quick boob suck / comfort, I would very much doubt this has anything to do with actual need to suck (which I think is much more a 'true need' for younger babies), it's more likely a habit: sucking & breastfeeding signifies comfort her for, & enables her to go back to sleep. So as I said I think dummy will only make that worse or in any case won't solve the problem.

I would try to gradually wean her off the night milk & cuddles if you really don't want her to be waking up that much, and there are many different ways you can go about doing that. But I really don't feel introducing a dummy this late on will be of any help.

Hope this helps!