B/fed baby handsucking constantly ... dummy???

[Millie1]

DS (11w)has started handsucking almost constantly - he does it during the night when he's ready for a feed but has also started it during the day after a feed - I've tried putting him back on but he's pretty vocal if he's had enough and won't go on for comfort. Now it's getting impossible to get him back into his carrycot cos if he does fall asleep at the breast, he immediately wakens and puts his hand in his mouth and that gets him wide awake.

Does he need a dummy? I have to say (without wanting to start any debate cos I know that people swear by them) but I just don't fancy the idea of it ... the thought of him crying each time it falls out of his mouth, trying to wean him off it etc etc but will it buy some peace or just more trouble.

Any advice?

Thanks.

My DS2 (now 6m) did a lot of that too. I gave him a dummy loads of times but he just spat it out after a few minutes. I've also tried to put his thumb in but he doesn't really care for that either! It's not so bad now - actually I'd forgotten about it until I read your message so maybe yours won't do it for much longer and it won't seem so important in a couple of months! (like most things! )

I heard that hand sucking is not a sign of hunger as a lot of people think. Can't remember where I heard that but it was v.useful to me as I always thought that dd was hungry when she did it and probably ended up giving her feeds she didn't need.

I think they chew their hands because they like it and their hands are pretty fascinating things to have discovered.

Personally I didn't or wouldn't chose to give a dummy unless a baby was really unsettled and v. sucky. You're right that they can be a bad habit to break and, again just personally, I think they make kids look weird, to not see that bottom part of their face is a real shame.

Thanks for such quick replies Tommy & Evita ... I must admit that I hate dummies with a passion and it would be an absolute last resort so it's good to hear that it's probably not hunger and maybe he'll forget about it soon! I'll just have to try to swaddle him a bit tighter tonight.

I did give dd a dummy at this age because she was constantly wanting to suck, her hand was just a bit too big for her to get in her mouth and she couldn't stick a seperate finger in. After about 6-8 weeks she found her fingers instead and decided she didn't want the dummy any more. So don't think it has to eb forever if you do give her one at this early stage. It definately gave us (well actually my nipples) some peace

My ds did this too and hated dummies... I think it is just a form of comfort. Your ds should grow out of it soon enough.

My ds didn't cry because the dummy fell out - he'd cry with it still in! For my ds it was a total lifesaver - made him a much, much happier boy. The problems are hugely overstated, there are benefits (including health ones) and thumbsucking is much worse for teeth. But ultimately it has to be up to you and what you think will make your baby happy.

take it one step at a time Millie1

He is only a wee one, and just discovering his little arms and hands and fingers. Probably wondering how they move and they taste good too.

When I was b/f dd in the hospital, she would fall of the breast after being fed and woke up. She would suckle again, not because she was hungry but using me as a dummy and the nurses told me not to encourage it. I didn't. Perhaps she was attached to the dummy as I found her one day with it in SCBU, I had never given her it, but I guess again the nurses felt she needed something soothing.

She chooses to use the dummy when she wants, if it is lost, she doesn't miss it and bring the house down. Nope, I don't think she remembers it until she sees it.

You can only take it one step at a time, give him a dummy. It will be much easier to lose the habit than having him suck a thumb. You can take away a dummy but you can't remove a thumb.

I am in a similar position to Millie1..same age baby found her fist then yesterday her thumb to suck..I thought great as she bfeeds so much anyway, it is surely not hunger. I co-sleep and feed on demand.
I have the same prejudice against dummies.
But I dont understand why thumbsucking is worse for teeth than dummy?

Doesn't thumbsucking lead to overbite?

My older brother was a thumb-sucker and I can remember my mum doing everything to have him break the habit, he was maybe 7 then.

According to my dentist, thumbsucking is only a problem once the second teeth are through.

my ds had colic for 12 weeks (truly horredous) and dummy was genuinely a lifesaver, the only way he would sleep before it was sucking on my little finger - yes ALL the time!

if your baby is fairly settled otherwise maybe wait a bit longer but it depends entirely on the child.