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Baby won't take dummy

8 replies

manentail · 05/07/2018 14:03

My EBF baby is a large 2.5 month old and we've been trying to get her to take a dummy for a month now. I got her these Philips Avent orthodontic ones in size 0-6 months and she just spits it right now and gets stressed out if we persist.

For info, she does take expressed milk from a bottle (Dr Brown) and loves sucking on my finger for comfort. I've tried expressing some milk on the dummy first but it doesn't seem to help.

What can I do to get her to take a dummy? She gets herself into the biggest hissy fits sometimes and only lots of finger sucking will comfort her. For my finger's sake, I want to find a suitable dummy!

Baby won't take dummy
OP posts:
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Havetothink · 05/07/2018 17:46

Personally I think if she doesn't want it don't force it, it's just something you'll have to wean her off later anyway. Maybe you could try something suitable for teething instead?

happymummy12345 · 05/07/2018 17:49

I wouldn't force it if she doesn't want it. I agree to try something aimed at teething.
(Plus as most mmers know, I hate dummies and think they should be banned).

FATEdestiny · 05/07/2018 18:47

What can I do to get her to take a dummy?

There's loads you can do!

Firstly, my breastfed babies were better with cherry teat dummies, the rounded bulbous ones. They fill the mouth more, like the breast does.

Next, are you giving baby the dummy in the right way? Much like you don't just shove nipple in baby's mouth and hope for the best, you also need to give similar thought you dummy placement to get baby actively sucking.

Baby should reach with mouth you take the dummy. Try tickling upper lip or cheek with the teat do baby turns to get it. Don't just put it in the mouth, baby needs to actively engaged in getting the dummy.

Once baby has reached for dummy with her mouth, put dummy in pointing it upwards and backwards - so towards the roof of the mouth. This is so so mimicking breastfeeding.

Next if you get it in baby's mouth, you want baby to be actively sucking it at all times. It serves no purpose sitting limply in the jaw. To do this tap gently on the outside of the dummy, it encourages the sucking reflex.

If baby isnt sucking or cries with dummy in, remove it and start again getting baby actively reaching to take it. Taking the dummy needs you be an active process, not something passively done to the baby.

Try giving the dummy at various different points of tiredness. Try when awake and alert rather than when exhausted and grumpy.

Try immediately after a feed. Whip nipple out and dummy in.
Try rocking baby in your arms while giving dummy.
Try holding baby in breast feeding position to give dummy.
Try someone else (who isn't associated with breast feeding) doing all of the above.

Above all else - keep trying. Dummies are amazing. Worth their weight in gold for independant sleeping.

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manentail · 05/07/2018 20:49

@FATEdestiny thank you so much!

OP posts:
Hadalifeonce · 05/07/2018 20:53

I tried to get DS to take a dummy, he just wouldn't have it. Eventually gave up trying, he settled eventually. So glad I didn't persist, having seen so many friends and relatives desperate to get the dummy off their DCs when they are older.

BrioLover · 05/07/2018 20:59

My EBF DS likes the NUK ones. They mimic the shape of the nipple.

Lazypuppy · 05/07/2018 23:07

My LO doesn't like MAM dummys (but loves MAM bottle teats?!) She likes the tommee tippee cherry shape ones

Jorjasmama · 05/07/2018 23:37

Yep my little one didn't take to the dummy until I tried NUK ones. Shaped like a nip, got on with them great!

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