do you take the dummy out when LO goes to sleep?

[bravissimo]

I know this sounds like a silly question but do you take the dummy out of LO's mouth when they fall asleep? It's just 2 seperate mums have told me that I should take the dummy out when my DS falls asleep to give his mouth a rest? Also i'm afraid that DS will continue to suck and fall back to sleep when he would otherwise wake up to feed if the dummy wasn't in his mouth!

'Give his mouth a rest' - Don't understand what your friends mean by this.

If he's hungry, the dummy won't do! He'll cry until you appear

I never took the dummy out.

thanks for replying! i think she meant that he would get tired if he was sucking all night and then not be able to feed properly (we both breastfeed) and the other friend said to take it out so that he would not be dependent on it. Neither are anti-dummy btw, they both gave their LOs dummies to settle.

Both my dds bf.

Both had dummies (dd2 still does).

I would say both were dependent on it for sleep (struggled to get to sleep without it). And both sucked it whilst asleep. Didn't affect their ability to feed the next day! If a baby's hungry, it will let you know, IME.

But I am still an advocate for the dummy, if the baby gets comfort from it/helps them sleep etc.

My dd used to keep sucking even when the dummy fell out so she didn't get much rest ds now does the same. Have never heard of anyone taking it out for a rest. I never take it out either but IME it drops out anyway. And i would think that there's no way the baby would not wake to feed because of a dummy as they quickly realise theres no milk coming out when they suck

Try not to listen to too many opinions. A lot of the time the just confuse you. Go with your instinct it really is the best way.

I actually read that it's supposed to be a good idea to let your baby sleep with a dummy in its mouth....

The Foundation for the Study of Infant Deaths (FSID) has announced is its latest safe sleeping message for parents. They are advising parents to settle their baby to sleep with a dummy - even for naps - to help reduce the risk of cot death.

FSID says 'Settling your baby to sleep with a dummy can reduce the risk of cot death. If breastfeeding, do not begin to give a dummy until your baby is one month old to ensure breastfeeding is well-established. Don't worry if the dummy falls out while your baby is asleep, and don't force your baby to take a dummy if he or she doesn't want it. Never coat the dummy in anything sweet.'

FSID's scientific advisor, Professor George Haycock says: 'Dummy use is widespread in the UK and other developed countries and generates strong feelings both for and against. A number of epidemiological research studies have appeared in the last few years suggesting that babies who are regularly given a dummy when put down to sleep are less likely to die suddenly and unexpectedly than those who are not.'

link to article

I have no idea bout giving the baby's mouth a rest, I expect that if their mouths were tired they'd spit the dummy out. Mine does.

Thanks! that definitely has put my mind at rest - DS is now fast asleep with dummy in mouth!