A Dummies Poll

[Bzza]

Hi,
My 8 week year old DS is going through a rough period (for him and I) and i am unsure whether to use a dummy. I hear so many people tell me not to, for one reason or another, yet i am keen to do anything to help him settle.

i would appreciate as many people as possible simply posting a yes they have used a dummy or no they haven't in this thread. If it is a yes, then in what context would also be useful.

Many thanks

Yes for all 3 DDs, all sucky babies, all bfed. Absolute life-saver, as they would have used my boob instead!

DD1 gave hers to Santa when she was 2.5yo.
DD2 just gradually lost interest in hers between 18 months and 2 years (I'd say she is generally the most self-reliant of my children )
DD3 still has hers for sleeping at 2.5 - she's currently potty-training, so we're waiting till that's well-established before trying to lose the dummy.

All 3 were early (and fluent) talkers, so it didn't seem to affect that, though I have always refused to understand them if they talk to me with a dummy in their mouths.

Only skimmed the thread so not sure if this research about dummies and reduced risk of cot death been mentioned

Here

I didn't give one to DD because she wasn't a crier as a new baby. I got one with my steriliser and put it in a drawer in case I needed it and would have given it to her without hesitation if needed. I binned it a few weeks ago as never used it.

Of all the mums I know, they all use dummies (about 15 mums) bar 3 - two of those because their babies refused them and one because she is just anti-dummy.

DC1 - yes. became the 'comfort object' until about 3yrs, so obviously v handy to have (sleep only from about 18m)

DC2 - yes. helped massively with getting to sleep

DC3 - yes. But doesn't love them as much as the other 2 and can get to sleep without one

No I haven't.
I tried to but DD was NOT impressed and spat it out.
I had wanted too as me and my siblings all sucked our thumbs, with was SO hard to give up and keep to bedtimes.
I've got away with it though and DD doesn't suck her thumb.

Both DC1 and DC2 used them until 5 months - then they started waking for them at night when they had been sleeping through, so I took them away cold turkey. DC1 moved on to her thumb and DC2 seems to play with a soft toy and then drift off.

Second time round SALT told the weaning fayre to remove them around 4-6 months ideally. The newborn's strong sucking reflex wears off then and apparantly it's an easier age to break the habit.

DD never had a dummy. At 3 years old she will suck on an empty bottle when tired etc so it served no purpose to withold a dummy :)

Yes!

For ds from 2weeks to 4mths then took it away and he sucked his thumb (still does and he's nearly 6)

DD1 from about 4mths to 18mths then took it away, cold turkey, no problem at all, no thumb sucking.

DD2 was similar to DD1.

A baby needs to suck for something like 16hrs out of 24 so unless you want to feed for that length of time or hold your finger in their mouth a dummy is a good solution!

night/sleep times only - it was a sanity saver with both of mine

No problems with teeth and both would have sucked their thumbs - you can't take a thumb away

Nappyzone have you tried the stuff to stop nail biting? It worked a treat on me when I was a child. My older sister would put it on my fingers when I was asleep and believe me there's no way your dd could suck with it on! As for dummies op I tried and tried to get my boys to take them but only mommy suckling would do if I ever have another I would def try again with a soother.

No didn't use one. Was tempted but glad I didn't.

Yep, DD had one from about a week old. she was very selective too. She'd only have the stonking great cherry tipped ones.
We called it the off switch.

have DD and DS. Neither ever had one. Both sucked fingers or thumb which I preferred because you can't lose them in the night! Also, I think a lot of kids have great difficulty in giving them up and I do believe it can delay speech (i work in a nursery).

I wish my DD1 and now DD2 would have taken a dummy. DD1 sucks her fingers and DD2 sucks her thumb and the dentist has told me that they need to stop as otherwise they will probably need braces as it can alter the growth inside the roof of their mouth and DD1's teeth are starting to stick out and she's only 2.5. At least you can throw away a dummy !

By the way - the dentist did tell me that sucking your thumb or fingers doesn't always lead to braces etc.

I really didn't want to use one... But my DH and DM conspired against me one evening when my 3 week old DD was screaming down the house for no apparent reason. It settled her instantly and we never looked back.

At 2.5 we decided the time had come to give it up. I anticipated a massive struggle, but DD went cold turkey and apart from a bit of whinging the first night or two, she hasn't missed it at all.

Hasn't affected her teeth and she is a little chatterbox, so obviously hasn't hindered her language development either.

Expecting DD2 soon and will definitely give her a dummy if she wants it and it helps settle her. Sleep in the early months is way to precious to spend it worrying about dummies!

No, I am not a fan. I just feel if she never has one she won't miss it or need it.

No, tried 3 different types but he spits them out. He likes sucking my little finger when he goes to sleep though which is a habit I will have to try and break!

my 15mth dd has one for bed only. she cant wait to get in as she knows her dummy is in there. she doesnt wake in the night for it, she just uses it for the initial getting to sleep.

Yes DS likes the nam ones. Life saver for us. We only use it for sleep but I think at that age I gave it to him whenever.

I was adamant I would never use one but my 6 week old has one just to settle him at 7pm. He settles fine without one at all other times of day and night. Saved our sanity and means we can sit down for supper together. My mum didn't use one for me and I still suck my thumb aged nearly 30!!