Are dummies worth it?

[LauraPalmersBodybag]

I’m a few weeks away from dc2 and trying to solve the dummy conundrum. My dd used one for about 3 hours and then refused from there on in. I bf and we had lots of issues to start with so I didn’t push it, then it was too late and she repeatedly refused. I ended up offering comfort with bf a lot - at first I didn’t mind as they’re only little and it’s perfectly normal, though as time went on it was hard being the only soother.

On the other hand, I guess I don’t like them much. I plan on bf again and I don’t want to interrupt that process...can’t work out if ‘nipple confusion’ is a thing as have been given conflicting advice. Also, is it easy to misinterpret feeding cues?

I worry they affect teeth, speech, cause them to wake when the dummy falls out. I have a friend whose 3.5 year old often chose not to speak as he still had his in his mouth...when is the right time to remove them?

My heart says no, but my head say yes. Both my dh and I are stuck on the fence. Any thoughts or experiences that would help?

Our baby had colic and wouldn’t settle of an evening. The dummy saved our sanity. We’ve only ever used it for naps or sleep, and don’t let them have it during the day, so no impact on speech.
I bf and didn’t find it an issue, although we didn’t introduce it until they were 3 weeks old. I think it ultimately depends on the baby as like you say some refuse them.

I don't really see it as a decision you need to make. Either your baby won't settle without one, or they will and it's not an issue.

Depends on the baby I think. DS1 had reflux and wanted to BF constantly as the sucking helped with the pain. Without a dummy I think I'd have gone mad!

DS2 is only 4 months and also has a dummy but is less bothered about it than DS1 and only has it when he's tired.

I've BF'd both and introduced a dummy at 2 weeks ish for both. No issues with confusion.

We used 9ne with DS but at around 4 or 5 months he gave it up naturally. Just because more of a distraction than an aid and he wanted to sleep. To be honest, I don't think it was a huge benefit. DS had colic etc, the whole shebang, with our without the dummy. It made no difference. If I had my time again I wouldn't bother really

Thanks, that’s really helpful. Dd1 had dreadful collic and reflux and I’ve always suspected that it could have been eased I’d pushed the dummy more. Impossible to know, but I’ve always questioned. I held off because her latch was pretty shocking and I had blocked ducts and mastitis, so I wanted her feeding well before she had anything else in her mouth.

@SerenavanderWoodson and @Sunshinegirl82 did you set the boundaries of only for sleep or was that your dc’s inclination? I’m It’s good to hear that you’ve managed to bf and the dummy didn’t interrupt.

@UtterlyUnimaginativeUsername I see your point, though if I decide not to use them then we won’t try at all, and I’m possibly shouting myself in the foot.

I didn't have boundaries with the dummy until there was a routine of sorts around sleep so around 6ish months?

At the moment DS2 is still quite haphazard with when he sleeps so I just offer it if he's getting grumpy because he's tired. Once we're on a 2 nap and a bedtime schedule I'll try to keep it for sleep only.

I EBF until DD was 20m. I introduced a dummy at about 6 weeks because she was a real clingy comfort sucker.

As she got older and we worked out a routine, I would just give her the dummy for naps and sleep. When she woke up I took it away, when it was time to sleep (or I wanted her to sleep / be quiet, such as a long car journey) I gave her a toy to which you could attach a dummy.
It didn't affect her teeth or speech. She didn't have a problem with nipple confusion. We took it away from her when she was about 2.5ish (she stopped routinely napping just before she turned 2) with barely a problem.

Tbh we did have a problem with her waking up in the night with it having fallen out, but saw a tip on here which was to leave several scattered in the bed and they'll find it. When she was old enough she did, plus we had a dummy chain thing on her grobag.

We now have a 5wo DS and I have already bought and sterilised two, but he doesn't seem keen on them. I hope he does take to them eventually as I think they were really helpful and we had no problems because of using them with DD.

Good luck whatever you decide to do OP!

DD (now 2y3m) still has a dummy but for sleep only. I absolutely hated the idea of a dummy, but she bf a lot for comfort and it was exhausting. A HV suggested a dummy and to be honest it helped me to bf for longer as I was about to give up!

Her speech is ridiculously good (but stopped giving it to her for anything other than sleep at about 6m). She has had a sleepytot bunny (4 Velcro paws with dummies on) since about 6m so has always found her own dummies in the night with no problems. She is a brilliant sleeper and settled pretty independently from early on and I do think that is mainly down to the dummy.

Anyway, you might have a very settled, chilled baby that doesn’t even need one, so try not to overthink it.

Wishing you all the best either way!

I'll start by saying I really don't like dummies but accept that they can serve a purpose. I really hate seeing pictures of hours old babies with a big dummy shoved in their mouth and also older children running around and 'talking' with them in
Decided with DD not to use one and didn't when breast feeding, at around 9 weeks had to switch to formula as she wasn't putting on weight. I was advised to give her a dummy to help settle her and in relation to SIDs. She had the dummy until 1 then we only used it at night time. She her had it when toddling around or on trips outside the house. Just after she turned 2 we only gave it when she specifically asked for it and after a couple of weeks she stopped asking and hasn't had one now since.
DS is 4 months now and Brest feeding is going better. No dummy for him. He settles fine after feeding and will self settle sleeping well.
I appreciate I've been lucky with both babies but that's my experience. We've had no colic or reflux, which again is lucky. I just think people should think a bit more about using dummies before they do.