How do you get a baby to take a dummy?

[ASomers]

I have a 4.5 month old who has never taken a dummy. It hasn't really been an issue so far as I have been able to settle her and she has been sleeping well at night. However, she's started comfort sucking A LOT. She's exclusively breastfed and I find the constant on-off sucking during the night exhausting. She also won't go down for naps so I feel a dummy might be useful for this. However, she just won't take a dummy. Is there anything I can try or do I just have to accept she won't have a dummy? Thanks

Sorry Op, my 1 year old never took a dummy! On the plus side, you never have to try weaning them from it!

Just keep persisting, she just spitting it out straight away? As long as she’s not getting distressed when you pop it in her mouth, try it a few times then give up for 10 mins or so then try again. Some babies also prefer different dummy shapes too, my advice would be to start with a cheaper brand as you’ll end up needing a few! Might also be easier to pop it in if she is just nodding off and relaxed already too.

@somethingrandomagain

Thanks for the advice. She usually spits it out straight away but will suck a bit it I hold in place. Then she'll get upset if I keep trying. I may try another dummy though as I've only tried one type so far. Thanks 😊

@missmonkeypenny

True! That is definitely a plus side! Xx

In my experience they either take them or they don't.
Some babies like them, some just don't.

I've had 4 babies who used a dummy. None of them could keep the orthodontic flat style ones in their mouths, however the more old-fashioned "cherry" style dummies were a success every time. My babies are all grown up now, with perfect teeth, so no harm done in their cases. As a thumb-sucker myself (still, at age 46 ) I would never deny my dc the comfort and soothing effect of a good old suck! Just better with a dummy that can be weaned away at an appropriate point rather than a thumb that is forever available.

Both my breast fed babies refused- but glad in the longer term.

By cherry I mean the ones shaped like the photo below. My DC also preferred a latex teat (softer and warmer than silicone)

Sorry also to add all 4 of mine were breastfed. Nipple confusion may be an issue for some but was never a phenomenon I experienced thankfully.

When she's half asleep and comfort feeding, quite nipple/dummy switch, then put your boob in her face over the dummy (so she still has the skin to skin and close feeling of feeding). Then once she resettles with the dummy in you can roll away. (May or may not work 3 you, but worth a go)