Newborn addicted to dummy

[EllaWt]

Hello!
My 5 days old was given a dummy in hospital when she was really inconsolable and it worked a treat. I should say that I am not dead set against dummies but she seems addicted to it and doesnt seem to have much awake time without it... she has a really strong suction reflex ...when she sleeps she has no problem with it falling off.. is this normal?

That's fine. Plenty of time to take it away from her at a later point if you want. Let her be soothed by it for now!

I wish my newborn had taken a dummy! There would have been far less crying.
Why worry? Is she feeding ok?

Babies have a need to suck. It's fine to let him have a dummy. Two of mine weren't bothered (one of those became a thumb sucker) one was dummy mad, which I took away when she was as nearly 3yo, but limited to night time and naps/car journeys.

@Oly4 she's feeding fine but she doesn't like to be left when awake (safely I mean!!) and is dummy crazed ... which i dont mind at all but it feels very needy and she is my first so wondering if this is normal or if we are doing something wrong...

I'd have loved my DS to take a dummy, but he really didn't like it, he just used me instead.

She’s not addicted so don’t worry. There’s plenty of time for the dummy to go.
Why are you so against them?

It’s fine - just make sure she’s weaned off it between 6 and 12 months (NHS advice). Congratulations on your new baby!

@RosesandPumpkins i'm
Not particularly against them but her need for it seems so intense i'm wondering if I am
Doing something wrong

I wasn't keen before I had my first baby but he liked to comfort suck and my nipples got incredibly sore! Tried a dummy between feeds and that did the job. My second and third babies were the same. Handy for getting themselves off to sleep and in the car on occasion. I think the controversy comes in when they're older, you see some three year olds walking around with one in as habit during the day and that's not good for their speech. Designed for the job you are using it for though!

You’re doing nothing wrong. It’s all good. My first used a dummy and it was a life saver. Second wouldn’t take one.

Was she born using forceps?

[quote EllaWt]@Oly4 she's feeding fine but she doesn't like to be left when awake (safely I mean!!) and is dummy crazed ... which i dont mind at all but it feels very needy and she is my first so wondering if this is normal or if we are doing something wrong... [/quote]
She doesn't like being left when she's awake because she's FIVE DAYS OLD!!

Less than a week ago she was safe inside you, in the dark and warm where she was surrounded and comforted by the sound of your body. Now she's in a huge, cold, open place, and sometimes she's left all by herself completely! Of course she hates it!

It's fine OP ... if it makes your little one happy whilst she's still so little and new then why not. She's so teeny tiny and you're giving her something that comforts her. It's all good x x

Just give them whatever they want, they are so small and tiny and divine. You can take the dummy away in a year (or 2, or 3). Literally fine. My eldest was obsessed too (forceps birth, sucking helps relieve pressure in their skull!), we got rid of the dummy at 2.5ish and he’s perfectly fine. DS2 was never a dummy fan despite my attempts! Congratulations and good luck

You're doing nothing wrong at all, keep giving it if shes not hungry & just wants to suck. My DD 1(now 3.5) was the same. Thanks to the dummy she was a brilliant sleeper from very young.

DD 2 (16 weeks) is totally unfussed by a dummy - a shame as its such a good settling tool!

Interesting about the forceps link some have mentioned. Ticks the boxes for my eldest. Mine had their dummies for naps/bedtime as toddlers too, eventually sent them off to the 'dummy fairy' (or Peppa Pig in my youngest's case!) at approx 2.5. No problems with teeth or speech, have been told thumbs can be worse for those as you can't take them away or restrict for naptime.

It sounds normal to me, she isn't addicted, she is getting comfort, She is only 5 days old, of course she doesn’t want to be left alone!

Totally fine

Thank you so much everyone!

It’s fine don’t worry. Tiny babies just want to suck, feed and be held 24/7. They don’t like to be put down or left alone. It’s exhausting and it can go on for months but it does get better..I promise!

Please don’t leave her alone, she’s only tiny! Dummies are fine, no need to worry about her having one as long as it’s not interfering with feeding.

I was anti dummy but hospital asked if they could give one to my first child when he came out of NICU as it helps regulate breathing.
He loved his dummy and was a settled baby. Age 1 we removed it apart from naps and overnight. Didn’t manage to stop it completely until he was 4.

My daughter refused one, she preferred the human dummy ie me! Was exhausting and she was a challenging baby.
A dummy would have been a lifesaver but no, she wasn’t having it.

I’d enjoy the peace!

I never gave any of my 3 dummies as I think they do get to rely on them too much. Not too bad in very young babies but awful to see children walking with them. They drop them then put them back in their mouths. I really don't like them.

@caringcarer

I never gave any of my 3 dummies as I think they do get to rely on them too much. Not too bad in very young babies but awful to see children walking with them. They drop them then put them back in their mouths. I really don't like them.

Why don't you like them? Because you don't like 'the look of them' Ridiculous.

Op, if it is soothing your baby then keep using it.
When DC developed colic giving them a dummy was what kept me sane.

[quote EllaWt]@Oly4 she's feeding fine but she doesn't like to be left when awake (safely I mean!!) and is dummy crazed ... which i dont mind at all but it feels very needy and she is my first so wondering if this is normal or if we are doing something wrong... [/quote]
She's a five day old baby, barely realised she's not in your body any more. And cannot do anything for herself....

Evolutionarily, if you leave her, she's at risk from being eaten by a predator or dying.... She's not meant to be left