The dummy is calling me - tell me why it wouldn't be a good idea to give it to 3 week old baby

[MamaG]

It would be a good idea, wouldn't it? I mean, unless it's going to mess with things like nipple confusion, latch, supply etc....

depends why you want to use it!
sore nipples due to damage? or just due to constant feeding?

I personally don't have a problem with BF babies having a dummy. I think they're smart enough to realise they are different to booby, not least because no milk comes out.
both of mine have had dummies, and neither of them had nipple confusion, and were very anti-dummy when it was milk they wanted.

Thats what concerns me colditz - I don't think he's hungry, he's fed almost constantly since 5pm, I think he likes the comfort of snuggling up and suckling. I think

I don't wnat to spoil all my hard work (and it has been bloody hard work) by giving a dummy at this age

I hated dummies before I had a baby. 10 days after DS1 was born I couldn't stand it any longer.

For the sake of your nipples, I would say yes, go for it.

a dummy was a life saver for me

DS was a super sucky baby

we weaned him off it at 14 weeks with barely an issue

Both of mine were breast fed, both had a dummy early on for exactly the same reason, both rejected dummy from about 4 months old, by which time nipples were fine. Prolonged dummy usage can cause problems, but (ime) it can save one from giving up and switching to bottles.

DD would never take one and fed constantly. I would have loved this option.

I don't know what to do for the best, I relaly don't.

DD was BF and had a dummy from being about a week old (!) and was fine

I was forced to give up BF DS1 by a mental HV (long story) and I'm determined to get it right with DS2.

Maybe I should just hang in there a bit longer. I guess he could be hungry, he is a big baby

Gah
he's crying

will bf again and have a think

No objection to dummies here. And if it was fine for you the first time why wouldn't it be again?

yeah I mean, he might be having a growth spurt or something. but tbh, a dummy shouldn't interfere with that. if he is hungry he won't WANT the dummy, so you'll soon know.

Ds2 is the first of my 3 children who would take a dummy. He is also the first to sleep through the night before the age of 2 (years). Correlation?

Although he is 11 months now and I said I would wean him off it at 6 months.

But it is just so easy ...

I thought dummies were advised now- sids and that? Or is it different ? I mean its been 7 months you know how it changes LOL

If Bas would have a dummy, he'd have one. I wish!

Mimi had a dummy, but gave it up herself after a few months. It will help with the sucking they love to do.

dd4 has a dummy for morning nap. after 3hours of bf

If he is hungry instead of comfort he will tell you

don't think there is necessarily a correlation between dummy and sleeping through
ds1 slept through from about 5 months. ds2 still doesn't sleep through at 13 months.

My ds was a very sucky baby. A dummy was a life-saver. I think he found sucking very comforting and it was practically the only thing he had any control over. Dummy use didn't interfere in bf at all (I exclusively bf to 8 months - his choice, not mine!) and I got rid of it at 3 months without any problem at all. Prior to having ds I was very anti-dummies. With hindsight I think that this was a completely silly view to have held.

Try it. If he doesn't like it, he won't take it. I really can't see what harm it can do.

not a problem trying a dummy. Give it a go - sound slike you need to try everything to make things a little easier on yourself.

I don't understand? What's wrong with using a dummy for a sucky baby?? Would you rather be used as a human dummy?? Both my (exclusively bf) DDs had dummies (DD1 from about 10 days and DD2 pretty much immediately). They both rejected the dummies around 3 or 4 months when they started sucking their thumbs (which is much more of a nightmare as I can't take those away....). I never had any nipple confusion issues or any difficulty in telling when they were actually hungry (dummy spat out and screaming started!!). I didn't leave the dummy in when they were sleeping (I would pop it out once they were asleep) as I dreaded getting into a situation where I was forever having to go back in and put the dummy back in, but I found it really helpful in the early days to help them settle, and just so that they would be happy and relaxed when awake.

What was the connection between dummies and giving up BF DS1??

nelly no connection really - just that I feel I failed at BF him and really don't wnat to feel like that again, hence me avoiding anything that may affect bf - am I making sense here?!

He had a good, proper feed and is now fast asleep, so we'll persevere - but if I have anohter bad night with him, think I'll get sterlising in teh morning!