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Original poster

Dummy...... yes or no?!

12 replies

BabyMummy2019 · 12/03/2019 08:50

I have a 5 week old baby boy and so far I have been reluctant to use a dummy.

He's a bottle fed baby and so far been demand feeding.

Yesterday he was crying for what I thought was a bottle ever 2 hours at some points 🙈 and took a total of 10 bottles over 24 hours (between 2 and 5oz)

Last night I decided rather than run and get him a bottle I'd give him a dummy and try to extend the time between feeding?! But already starting to regret it as I feel he just cries for it now as he's using it as a comforter?!

How long should a 5 week old baby go between feeds and should i go back to demand feeding every 2-4 hours or stick with a dummy and try and get him in a routine?!xx

OP posts:

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Samind · 12/03/2019 08:55

New babies feed on demand and a lot. Nine's started again after her 8week injections but is back to her usual now 5 weeks later 😂😂 And yes sometimes they just need to comfort suck too. It's far far too early for a routine. He'll be coming up for a growth spurt too shortly and that can mean extra feeds. As long as he's not showing any signs of being unwell, then follow your babies cues. It's hard to know though and end up worrying about everything.

Seeline · 12/03/2019 08:55

At 5 weeks I would stick to demand feeding. He is still so tiny.

Jackshouse · 12/03/2019 08:56

Dummies are fine for comfort but not in the place of feeding. If your baby is hungry then you need to feed them.

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MummySharkBabyShark · 12/03/2019 08:57

I didn’t use one until 6 weeks (and it didn’t extend time between feeds) but it made her so much more settled when she had it; she was even able to nap without being held!

Congratulations on your new baby.

Wavingwhiledrowning · 12/03/2019 08:59

I'm no expert, but I'd say 5weeks is still very young, so a routine is going to be tricky (and probably more stressful), and not what they need. Personally I have no problem with soothers, but you do need to be aware that you're not using it so much that they don't get the food they're actually trying to tell you they need.
As a comfort between feeds though, seems fine to me. I think at that age mine were only going a couple of hours between feeds (BF though). We've only just got onto a 3 hour routine at 3 months.

You always read so much about things like soothers etc causing 'bad habits' and becoming a 'rod for your own back' etc etc. I just don't get it. Do what you need to do and what feels right. I've never seen an adult with a soother - they find their own way out of these things.

Original poster

BabyMummy2019 · 12/03/2019 09:11

Thanks for advice girls!

Being a FTM I just don't have a clue!!

My wee one has put on soo much weight since birth (went from 8lb 1oz to 10lb 7oz in 4 weeks) so I was worried I was over feeding him 🙈

Will put the dummy away and go with demand feeding for a wee while yet!!xx

OP posts:

sirmione16 · 12/03/2019 09:27

I disagree, my baby is 6 weeks old and has a dummy past couple weeks. Sucking is a reflex and a soothing one. Baby can't respond to reasoning yet, and had no cognitive ability to calm itself - therefore giving him something that channels his physical instincts is fair. I only give it to him when needed, I'll try everything first (change, feed, hold, swaddle, rock in pram)

It's personal choice at the end of the day

AussieMum28 · 12/03/2019 09:32

My son went 2-3 hours between feed until he was nearly 10 weeks. He does have a dummy because he needed it when he was born as he was prem and need to learn to suck but tbh, if he is hungry, the dummy gives me enough time to make a bottle and doesn't really prolong time between feeds at all

AussieMum28 · 12/03/2019 09:33

Also, he will level off with his weight gain!! I thought I was going to end up with a 10 stone baby by the way he was putting on weight at the beginning 😂

Seeline · 12/03/2019 09:34

I don't think there is a problem with using a dummy for comfort at that age - but not with the aim of trying to stretch the time between feeds. Feed first on demand and then settle with a dummy is fine (although if they get used to settling with a dummy it is a pain when they keep spitting them out and then can't re-settle - you end up getting up as many times in the night just to shove the thing back in )

Farmerswifey12 · 12/03/2019 09:40

We use a dummy, if he is hungry the dummy won't settle him so he gets fed. After a wee while you start to be able to tell the difference between whether they are looking for milk or just need something to soothe

Samind · 12/03/2019 09:42

Yeah I'm all for the dummy. Game changer absolutely for baby and me but not to replace or extend time between her feeds. It was to give comfort in between when she was trying to settle. And OP your baby sounds gorgeous and I'm imagining rolls 😍 I love rolls on a baby 😂 so bloody cute. Sounds like you're doing a smashing job. First time mum too and this site is brilliant for different bits and pieces. Plus some threads are actually hilarious whenever you're needing a pick me up ☺️

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