Dropping the dummy?

[ElyElyOy]

My son is 14 months old and today I’ve been “told off” by my health visitor for letting him use a dummy (and giving him bottles of milk).

I’m still breastfeeding so it doesn’t interfere with that, and he has brilliant speech skills for his age (started saying words at 6 months adjusted, and actually knowing what the words meant at 12.5 months adjusted, plus his vocabulary is expanding daily). He only uses a dummy when he is tired, and if it falls out it doesn’t wake him up or anything. He also has reflux and he will use his dummy more when that plays up. He has a bottle still as he has some problems gaining weight, and he can drink water out of a cup fine, it’s just his formula as he won’t drink that from a cup.

Do I really need to stop him using a dummy and a bottle?

I think most people just do what they want and tell the HV that you've made your decision and don't need advice on that issue.

My dd is 22 months and still has a dummy and a bottle of milk at bedtime. Do what you think is best and if you think he’s thriving and only needs it for a bit of comfort then carry on. I think HV’s are told to discourage both from 12 months. There’s no way my dd would have given hers up at a year old!