my 6wk old DS just took a dummy for the first time - is this a good thing?

[MonkeyChicken]

DD is 2 and still has a dummy at night, she only had a dummy for sleeping from about 12 weeks. Anyway I'm well aware of the cons of having a child dependant on a dummy for sleep and when DS didn't seem interested in a dummy at all I was quite pleased. However, he is really quite coliciky and my DH has been at home for the past 4 weeks but is about to go back to work and he works away from home during the week and I'm not sure how I'm going to manage a 2 year old and a 6 wk old when the 6 wk old spends huge amounts of time crying. I've also seen a cranial oestopath who said a dummy might be a good idea. DS tries to self sooth by sucking the back of his hand but when he took the dummy he intstantly relaxed and was asleep in no time. I've crept in and taken it off him and he's still asleep.

Is there anyway I can have my cake and eat it? I like the peace the dummy brings at the mo but want to avoid dependance if poss.

I'm also bf exclusively but not getting on brilliantly as DS doesn't latch very well, especially as he had a tongue tie that was divided two weeks ago. DS is thriving though 9lb 10oz at birth and over 14lb now.

Should I stick with the dummy and stay sane or try to manage without hoping for greater sanity in the longer term?

Any thoughts?

I don't think you should worry so much. you have a dd who only needs her dummy for sleeping - that's not a bad thing. Decide when you want him to 'use' it and stick to it, that way it shouldn't turn into 24 hour dependence.
A sane mum is a better mum :o

My dd is the same as yours - her dummy stays in her cot (she's about to move into a bed) and nowhere else.

Yes stick with the dummy. When My DS1 when was a baby it could make hours difference to how quickly he went to sleep. We took away DS's dummy at about 15 months when it seemed to me that he used it out of habit but it didn't really soothe him when he was upset. At that age out of sight is out of mind and he never missed it.

Another supporter for dummies here. I was concerned when DD first had one, but her doctor told me it was easier to take a dummy away than amputate a thumb!

I gave in to dummies at 6 weeks, and ds LOVES it. I've just decided it's only for napping/ sleeping and relaxing if stressed. No playing with it/ holding it all the time (I tell myself...)

All became a bit academic as he wouldn't take it again. Now 8 wks and falling in love with his thumb! BF has been a bit up and down on the pain front for me so haven't pushed a dummy as much as I might. All this dithering and the decision will be made for me.

God, I tortured myself over this when DS was tiny and eventually gave in to the dreaded dummy. It revolutionised his sleeping and we never looked back. He's 20 months now and only has it for sleep.

8-week old DD who is at that peak of day-time crying, just will not take one, on the other hand! How my opinion of them has changed.