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Children's health

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Original poster

Dummy usage

12 replies

threetwoonezero · 15/07/2018 09:49

My 8 wk old DD is so fractious, cries almost all day but I'm resisting using a dummy but I feel I should try it for my sanity. What do people feel about this though, does it create dependency? When should they come off them?

OP posts:

Are your children’s vaccines up to date?

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loopylou1984 · 15/07/2018 10:33

My twins had dummies from birth. They were six weeks early and so it helped them learn to suck.

The dummies have saved my sanity. There's no set age they have to come off them, just make sure you have orthodontic ones once they start getting teeth. I will look at taking the dummies away once the twins are old enough to understand and be reasoned with. I just make sure that they only have hem for sleep time now that they're older.

Dummies are also thought to lower the risk of SIDS.

Nogodsnomasters · 15/07/2018 17:56

There is no way of knowing if your child will become dependent, I gave my son a dummy from about 1 week old because he wouldn't sleep but by 4 months old he was only using them as chew toys for teething not to suck on so we got rid of them then. My nephew on the other hand used his until he was 3 and gave his dummy to "santa" last Xmas and was happy enough with that solution, he asked for it for a few days but they just kept reminding him that santa was recycling his dummies for new babies that were being born. Some kids really do struggle to give them up though, it's all down to personality I guess.

NoNarnas · 15/07/2018 17:58

I was very reluctant to introduce a dummy however my DS wouldn’t settle without one and wanted to suckle for hours on end causing me to have shredded nipples.

He is now nearly 2 and loves his dummy but I only allow it for naps and sleep. I aim to try and lose it at Xmas if his understanding is enough, if not will wait a little longer.

BlueGenes · 15/07/2018 18:02

I used a dummy from the start and DS gave it up at around 18 months no problems whatsoever. There’s no way of knowing if your child will become dependent on them but I think it’s worth it either way. If you don’t give a dummy you could end up with a thumb sucker.

Just do what’s easiest for everyone right now.

BrokenLink · 15/07/2018 18:03

Mine all had dummies and yes, they became addicted to them. I am still glad they had them because it helped soothe them. I have since learned that age one is the optimum time to throw the dummies away, to prevent difficulties with teeth, speaking and bad habits.

Babdoc · 15/07/2018 18:13

Mine both had dummies, but just at night. If they fell out, you would see a little hand rooting around the cot, grab the dummy and pop it back in, with a little sigh of contentment!
There was no problem with getting rid of them - they just stopped when they wanted to. I think it was just a nice comfort for them to help them sleep. Neither developed speech or dental problems, and are now well adjusted adults with good jobs. I think many mums worry too much about dummies - as long as they’re not in the mouth all day, making communication difficult, I don’t see the problem.

EssentialHummus · 15/07/2018 18:23

I think many mums worry too much about dummies - as long as they’re not in the mouth all day, making communication difficult, I don’t see the problem.

This. It’s not worth the angst OP, if there’s a possibility it’ll help you and your DC use it. DD had one (after much hand wringing) and weaned herself off it at 9 months.

NoNoCharlieRascal · 15/07/2018 18:26

Ds 12 months has a dummy. But only when he sleeps or is ill. It's comfort, he'll give it up when he is ready.

I'd always rather a dummy than a thumb or finger sucker.

Sparrowlegs248 · 15/07/2018 18:26

I resisted with my first. By the time I tried it he wouldn't take it. Ds2 had one from about 2 months , and still has it for naps and at bedtime he's 17 months old, doesn't have it during the day, and is starting to fall asleep and stay asleep without it. If we are out later than usual or he's very tired , he'll have the dummy and be happier for it.

Original poster

threetwoonezero · 15/07/2018 19:39

Wow I tried a dummy today and what a difference it made! She was so much calmer, I probably overused it but instead of wokring herself ip into frenzy for an hour she would zone out. The test will be the sleep tonight! I know there is no golden bullet and its only been a day, but if this is the effect a dummy has on mine and her wellbeing I shall take the risk of dependency!

OP posts:

Sparrowlegs248 · 15/07/2018 22:05

It's a game changer alright!

Seaweed42 · 16/07/2018 13:23

I used to be very against dummies before I had my baby. With my first baby, the woman in the bed beside me came back from the labour ward. She was on her third baby. First thing after settling in she said to the nurse 'he'll be having formula and can you get me a couple of dummies please'. I was so naive and judgemental - me there with my grand plan to breastfeed and pooh pooh dummies!! Boy did I change my mind.
My first had a dummy after a week or so, and gave my second a dummy straightaway. It seems cruel to not as the sucking reflex is what soothes them. I ended up formula feeding them too as breastfeeding went badly wrong both times.
My first gave his dummy up at around aged 3, my DD didn't give hers up till about 4 years old. It doesn't do them any harm.
You don't see 14yrs olds going around with dummies.

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