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Infant feeding

Get advice and support with infant feeding from other users here.

Original poster

Dummies?

16 replies

TimeWasting · 19/11/2011 19:21

DD is permanently attached to me, and if I could put her down long enough to work out how to use the sling, I couldn't feed her in it anyway.
She's super sucky.

Pros and cons of dummies for breastfed babies? (5.5 weeks btw)

OP posts:
Mampig · 19/11/2011 20:22

Hello- I've used a dummy from earlier than youSmile. I used it to signal the end of a feed to prevent too much comfort sucking or using me as a dummy. It now settles ds (20 weeks) if he's a bit grumpy or wants to suck but not feed. I also think had I not used a dummy, he would be thumb-sucking- no big deal, but at least you can remove the dummy when not needed.
Cons- not an expert, and biased too, but consider nipple confusion, long term use can inhibit speech- if you google it you will find loads. Use of a dummy at night has also been shown to help prevent SIDS (unless very recent research has over ridden this). Hth!

Lollyheart · 19/11/2011 20:27

My ds had a dummy and a bottle from 4 weeks and still loves breastfeeding.
I was at breaking point with sore nipples and not being able to put him down, I would of given up bf If it wasn't for the dummy and it's reassuring that a dummy reduces the risk of SIDS.

TheCornishPickle · 19/11/2011 20:30

I wasn't going to offer one to ds but in an early hours moment of desperation tried it and it was such a godsend. Instant calm. For a little while at least! I've continued to use it sparingly - literally if things are going pear shaped when he's really tired and I find it useful for car journeys where I can't soothe him any other way. We also use it sometimes during the evening for dh to be able to settle ds to sleep. I'm planning on phasing it out at around 6mo so it doesn't interfere with speech. We've never had any hint of nipple confusion - no way would this boy be confused in any way about what was on offer in that department!! Plus, being used to bf to sleep he also naturally spits out the dummy when he drops off as he would the nipple. Don't know if that's helpful but it's been out experience.

NigellaLawless · 19/11/2011 20:53

Hi Time, my DS has had a dummy from around 5 or 6 weeks. I was originally dead against them (don't even know why really, just thought they were 'wrong') anyway after weeks of being stuck in the house with DS stuck on me I caved and it was the best decision i could have made.

I worried like mad at first that it would affect my milk supply and with true new mother paranoia i was panicked that i was 'tricking' him into thinking he was being fed when he wasn't and he would consequently starve (i think the constant feeding had made me bonkers). As it is I started combination feeding anyway, as the dummy alone was not enough to give me a break from the daily feeding marathons, so i have no idea if it affected my supply. As for tricking him, it becomes very clear very quickly whether he is hungry or not.

In the night DS often falls asleep after a feed but wakes when i put him back in his crib, dummy is great for getting him back to sleep, down side though, if the dummy falls out before he is in a sound sleep he wakes up again. DS is also not keen on his car seat unless it is moving (in car, on buggy chasis) and the dummy helps calm him whilst he is getting strapped in.

tickleme63 · 19/11/2011 21:22

DS is 4 months, and has never taken a dummy. I was very resistant in the early days because I was so desperate for BF to work, but I didn't realise that leaving it till later meant he wouldn't want one at all! I was against them as well, but I feel that it would be a godsend if he would take one when he is fussing in the car or pram to help him settle. Am still halfheartedly persevering, but I think I am the dummy du jour for my little 'un :)

RitaMorgan · 19/11/2011 21:30

My ds had a dummy from about 3-4 weeks. I think it's fine so long as you don't have any latch problems and feeding/weight gain is going well - just keep an eye on the latch.

Just don't over-use it, or use it to delay feeds. I found it great for times when the boob isn't available - car/pram, getting dressed after a bath, falling asleep in cot/sling etc.

lilham · 19/11/2011 21:45

tickleme don't beat yourself up for not introducing a dummy. I used one with DD in the early weeks when nothing else could settle her so me and DH can sit down for a quick dinner together. DD turned into a dummy refuser as the months pass. She just spat them out and kept crying!

KnitterInTheNW · 19/11/2011 21:54

We gave DS1 a dummy at about 5 weeks and carried on BFing til just before his 1st birthday when he stopped by himself. DS2 is 12 days old and has had a dummy to settle him after a feed for a few days now. Still BFing very well.

Original poster
TimeWasting · 19/11/2011 22:39

Lots of food for thought here, thank you all very much.

OP posts:
AppleyEverAfter · 19/11/2011 23:01

Cons from my 8-week-old DD's point of view: This plasticy thing keeps falling out so I have to scream at my muumy until she puts it back in over and over and over again.... :-(

I really want her to use one as she uses the nipple for comfort at the end of a feed. Tried two different shapes but she moves her head while sucking, a la breastfeeding, and pushes them really far out of her mouth during sucking so they pop out. Ho hum, off to try a cherry-shaped one...

EauRouge · 20/11/2011 13:06

'Comfort sucking' is important to help regulate your milk supply, it's normal and isn't a sign that something needs fixing :) As Rita said there are times when you just can't BF so a dummy might be helpful to you then, but be aware that dummies can (not always, but sometimes) interfere with BF. Have a read of this, it might help you to decide.

Mampig · 20/11/2011 21:32

Appley- cherry shaped is the only one works for usSmile. I've spent a fortune on others to find out that the cheapo one works bestSmile

Lollyheart · 20/11/2011 22:19

I'd also recommend cherry tests.

bettyboo83 · 20/11/2011 22:31

I started trying to get DS to use one when I was spending the majority of every day with my little finger in his mouth between feeds Hmm He was about 7 weeks and completely refused it at first, but with a bit of perseverance he will now happily take the 'el cheapo' cherry-shaped ones - they are the only ones he can keep in himself. Like others I try to restrict the use of it to bed time/car journeys, etc. He lets go of it the instant he's asleep but he doesn't wake so no problems there; but i have to loiter around whilst he's falling asleep because he cries if it drops out. Still better than the finger...

paranoid2android · 21/11/2011 18:36

my little one's a bit older (12 weeks) and for the last couple of weeks she's been sucking her fingers, seems much more natural than a dummy to me and I like the idea that the baby is in control rather than the parents, if you can wait a few weeks your DD will learn to soothe herself, I felt a great sense of freedom when it happened! Still have to feed loads though!

tickleme63 · 23/11/2011 13:13

So, for some reason unknown, my little monkey has decided he sometimes would rather like a MAM dummy. Went out with the pram today - usually a screamfest - and he was as good as gold, swapping between the dummy and his fingers.

Am glad it seems to soothe him, but am a bit sad about giving him one now! Although if it makes car/pram rides more bearable, I'll live with it!

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