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Original poster

Dummies: yes or no?

23 replies

Cardiffclare88 · 19/12/2018 23:38

As it says on the tin really. 3 wk old DD is EBF and seems to enjoy a bit of comfort sucking at the end of each feed , especially at night. So far settles well but wondering if a dummy might be useful at some point. I’ve heard they can cause a baby to wean early (I’m hoping for 6 mos EBF and cont up to 12 mos) and can be a nightmare to eventually take Away. But also might reduce SIDS risk? Any opinions/experience on pros and cons?

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LittleBirdBlues · 19/12/2018 23:57

My eldest had a dummy,my two younger ones did not. Overall I prefer not giving a dummy, weaning them off it can be tricky. That said, my eldest cried a kot and sucking was the only thing that helped. As he couldn't be on the boob 24 hours a day, we gave him the dummy and he took tobit immediately. Some babies 'need' a dummy, some don't. If your baby is unsettled I say go for it. But if he's otherwise mostly fine, I personally wouldn't. Oh and congratulations!

LittleBirdBlues · 19/12/2018 23:58

Oh, and he weaned at 6 months,not before. E was ebf until then and continued to breastfeed until around 14 months.

CrazyOldBagLady · 20/12/2018 00:03

I've only one child, so I'm no expert but we've managed without one. We kept an open mind but never really felt the need.

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PandaMa · 20/12/2018 00:07

I said no initially- but Ds wouldn't stop crying and would use me or a bottle as a dummy. So we got one for our own sanity and reduce bottle waste.

YouBoggleMyMind · 20/12/2018 00:07

Kept an open mind but ended up needing them when DS was in hospital for a long time and was ventilated. They didn't want him to have to completely relearn how to suckle. He is now 1 and only has them to nap or at bedtime. Dummies don't have the stigma they used to I don't think.

DramaAlpaca · 20/12/2018 00:08

My three were ebf & I didn't use a dummy. I did try one in desperation with DC1 because of the incessant comfort sucking but he wasn't having any of it. So I gave up & carried on being a human soother

BertieBotts · 20/12/2018 00:14

SIDS risk thing isn't officially recommended now. I haven't had issues with them affecting BF fhough. DS1 seemed less reliant on his by about six months so I just quietly took them away and he didn't notice, DS2 seems to be going the same way

We were told by dentist not to worry as they can very easily fix teeth, it's not a huge deal any more.

I think it's a bit no evidence either way, they aren't definitely good or bad they just are - which leaves the benefits down to the baby and the preference of parents.

SnowdropFox · 20/12/2018 06:24

My dd (nearly 5m) uses one to settle as her was ripping my nips to shreds! She has it not for every nap or sleep every day but frequently. She often refuses it or spits it out before she falls asleep. DH and I are quite happy to use it but don't want her to become reliant or give it to her whenever she makes a sound. So far so good!

Have a plan for when you're going to use it (e.g. only at night or only when getting to sleep).

Scottishmummy18 · 20/12/2018 15:31

I didnt plan on using a dummy just because didnt want the problem of having to wean him off it but our little one was a born sucker.. just wanting to keep the bottle to comfort suck after feeds. Tried a dumny and took to it straight away, he can nap occasionally without it but it definitely helps to settle him when becoming restless however along with that comes the numerous times during the night where he spits it out and wants it back which is annoying!

rebelrosie12 · 20/12/2018 15:32

Absolutely yes. Was a lifesaver for us and I took one for dc2 to hospital when I have birth. I was SO anti dummy with my first but he loved to comfort suck and it saved my sanity.

randomsabreuse · 20/12/2018 15:38

My second started with one during a little hospital stay for bronchiolitis as it's helpful for tube feeds. He's not convinced about sucking and no milk happening and spits it out a lot. He's also finding his fingers which I prefer as he can find them himself in the night if he wants them.

My first found her fingers in the womb so I never replaced them with a dummy.

bourbonbiccy · 20/12/2018 16:01

My DS was breastfeed and never used a dummy. I set out with not wanting him to have one as i think it just makes it hard working taking if off him later. But I did say if I feel he needs one so be it he can have one.
He never needed one luckily, I think it depends on your baby's needs, I would try to get away with not giving One but if it appears he would benefit from one, I would give one.

FTMF30 · 20/12/2018 17:06

I was against using one but my LO had reflux and it really helped him to comfort suck. I did hold out though until he got to 6 weeks old and had fully established breastfeeding.
The dummies he had was for 0-6months and just after he got to 5 months the dummy kept falling out of his mouth/losing suck and he just generally went off it. I think it got too small for his mouth (maybe?) so I took that opportunity and have not replaced them with bigger ones. He had a few grizzly days and has begun teething, but I got him some teethers and he's been fine with those.
I'm really glad he naturally went off the dummy as he had a stage of being a real fiend for them. I worried how I was going to get him off them as I know the older they are, the harder it gets.
If you do use a dummy, I'd just say try to phase the dummy out before LO reaches toddler age.

Chardeemacdennis1 · 20/12/2018 17:13

I've just given my newborn a dummy.

I'm not really against dummies but I hate it when kids have them in all the time or when they are older.

Ds didn't like dummies so was never really on the cards but dd seems mad for sucking and as others have said I can't be her dummy all the time.

At the moment I'm just using it to settle her at night and hope to keep it as just a sleepy time thing.

MW told me because I've now used it she has to have it for 6 months as per SIDS. Not sure what the rational is.

If baby really wants it why deny it and make your life harder is the way I see it. Just use sensebly.

usernotfound0000 · 21/12/2018 21:41

Eldest didn't have one, she was a thumb or finger sucker from very early on so never felt the need, 3.5 now and still sucks her finger, I can't take that away from her!
DD2 is 6 weeks and BF, we introduced a dummy at 2 weeks with her, she was suckling on me for so long and essentially using me as a dummy. So far it hasn't affected her feeding but it's obviously still early days. And yes, I'm sure we'll have a painful day or two when it is time to remove the dummy but at least we can do that.

Mummyshark2018 · 21/12/2018 22:10

Each child is different but mine loved hers. If used responsibly they can be very effective. Mine knew dummy (and bunny) meant nap/ bedtime and if only used then can be really good. My dc decided herself when she was ready to give up at about 3 years (again only as a comfort at bed). No effect on speech/ teeth etc. Also no impact on breastfeeding

lorisparkle · 21/12/2018 22:19

Ds1 and ds2 never wanted a dummy but ds3 loved it however it was just as the research into the link with SIDS came out which suggests that the risk increases if you stop using the dummy after starting it so I decided to never use one.

Babdoc · 21/12/2018 22:24

Mine both loved their dummies at night. They didn’t use them during the day. If they woke up and the dummy had fallen out, they would grope around the cot til they found it, pop it back in themselves, sigh contentedly and go back to sleep!
Both slept through the night from about 8 weeks, and I’m sure the dummy helped.

Ooplesandbanoonoos · 21/12/2018 22:31

Wish i had.
Baby is EBF and has been an easy settled baby
Now going through awful 4 month regression and resorting to putting on boob every hour or so through the night as sucking is the only way to settle!

FartnissEverbeans · 21/12/2018 22:55

I’d rather a dummy than thumb/finger sucking. The latter is apparently more problematic and obviously harder to wean.

DS has a dummy (actually about a million of them, stashed all over the house) and although it’s been brilliant and at times I couldn’t have done without it, he’s now 27mo and becoming a bit obsessed. It’s getting harder to hide and harder to take away. On balance I wouldn’t hesitate to use one in future though.

IncomingCannonFire · 21/12/2018 23:10

Ds1 was ebf and wanted to feed/ comfort suck all the time. I tried to introduce a dummy at about 2mo but he wasn't interested. So I suffered with an almost constantly latched on baby.
Ds2 I gave a dummy on day2. He would spit it out and nuzzle when he wanted a feed, but otherwise got into a good routine of sleeping and feeds. He was also ebf, but I was also able to give him a bottle (of breastmilk).
I weaned both of them at 14/15mo through my choice. They both would have carried on bf if I'd let them. Ds2 naturally started spitting out the dummy at about 10mo and it was no use at bed time because he kept losing it, so I got rid of it.
It's a lot easier to throw away dummies than it is a thumb.
No issues with teeth or speech.
However, midwife clocked dummy at 3/4 days old check-up and made a big deal about Ds2 minor (normal) birth weight loss. For a first time mum that sort of thing can easily make you lose confidence.

wheresmarybloodypoppins · 21/12/2018 23:17

I was so anti dummies but a week in with a reflux baby who wanted to feed all night (but was bottle fed so just made himself sick) I went out and bought a load.
He's now 8 months and will only very occasionally have the dummy to nap but usually refuses it.

Di11y · 22/12/2018 10:57

yes - my dd2 is 16mo and she only sucks her thumb at night- still managed to get 2 nasty blisters on her thumb this week and when I wrapped them so she could heal just sucked her fingers or other thumb. gonna be hard to stop the habit.

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