Dummies yay or nay - pros and cons

[Lanzy]

Dummies yay or nay?

My little one is nearly a month old, we haven’t used dummy until last night at 4am when she wouldn’t settle even after feed, change, rocking. We have avoided but just thinking what are the pros and cons of them? And do you just use when needed? The one thing I worried is she is often sick when on back at times and with dummy in would be worried it would be choking hazzard

Had seen some find it difficult to get their little ones off💜🥰

The post above about a shut me up is absolute crap. Had my baby 7 months ago and the midwife at my 5 day appointment asked if I had a dummy. He was a very tiny baby and i was worried about it interfering with feeding but she said they recommend them!! Mine didn't actually take a dummy until about 5 months old. Just spat it out until then

They lower SIDS risk, help comfort your baby and as someone said above my little one also has a great pincer grip!

Yes it can be painful to get rid of it. That is a valid point.

In my opinion if it helps settle your baby in this scary new world its just been dragged into then its only a positive.

No cons for us. Reduced to using them at night and naps only from about 1 then completely around 3. Ds has zero teeth or speech problems.

Yep it is totally fine. I much prefer my son to suck his thumb than have a dummy

@ClubhouseGift Utter nonsense 🤣

OP, they are an excellent tool for self soothing during sleep. They'll help lull your baby after you have finished feeding, either yourself or by bottle. They'll also keep your baby swallowing after they have fed; this keep the back flow of potential acid (causing colic) coming up.

They do not affect speech unless they are physically trying to speak with one in!!

My children only got one for soothing and sleeping. All 3 were perfectly happy to give them up at the right time for them.

@UWhatNow Absolutely!!!

Literally the only difference between thumb sucking and a dummy is - you can’t actually keep the thumb sterile before it goes in the mouth and you can’t limit it or take it away anywhere to reduce oral disfunction.

There is no logic in you thinking thumb sucking is fine but a dummy is not.

DS had bad eczema and dummy was a great soother for him during bad phases. No issues with speech, teeth or saying goodbye to dummy aged 2.

DD absolutely refused dummy and was a very chilled out baby. ( she has the dental issues, but they are genetic)

All babies are different. We haven’t had to use them, but I’m not against them.

My first didn't and second did.

Both breastfed fine.

I parent them the exact same. Second is much more placid than 1st, so for me personally, can't see any logic in it being a 'shut me up'.

Neither thumb suck.

2nd is 4 months now and I'm beginning to limit it to sleep time. He just really likes it and first never needed or wanted one.

I agree it's less hassle to take them away sooner rather than later but tbh I'll probably just do whatever leaves me getting the most sleep.

Do whatever you want. It really doesn't matter. Enjoy your baby and trust your own decisions on parenting your own child.

And that's your opinion. Past 6 months it doesn't matter if thumb is sterile or not. They put everything in their mouth. I sucked my thumb. Still do sometimes when I'm tired and caused no issues.

Very strange logic 😂

I'm not bothered how people look at it. Its his comfort. I did it as a baby so I'm not going to deny him it 😅

It’s not an opinion though, factually those are the two differences between a dummy and a thumb.

So you suck your thumb as an adult but are “absolutely” against dummies for babies? I don’t care if anyone chooses to use a dummy for their children personally but I’m really struggling to understand why you’re painting dummies as so bad but not thumb sucking? Genuinely struggling to see the logic behind that thought process.

Like you to tell me where I said they were bad. Each to their own. I've got nothing against them just didn't want to give my son one. Its his Comfort. Not going to stop him.

They are excellent as sleep cues in my opinion. I only gave them for naps and bedtimes so they were a clear signal that it was time to relax and unwind.
Took them away at around 3 years with some help from the dummy fairy.

I tried him with a dummy. He denied it. Even put breast milk on it. Still spat it out so he sucks his thumb.

Yes comfort - same as dummies! I’m not going to deny my baby her comfort either. Difference being she won’t suck her dummy into adulthood! Each to their own - but it doesn’t make sense you would be against a dummy but pro thumb sucking.

Okay cross post, you’re not against dummies then? Your first post seemed like you were, apologies.

No I'm not against them.

Daughter had one and we spent months waking in the night to put it back In for her as she used to drop it constantly. She got chicken pox at 9 months old, couldn't use it coz they were in her mouth and on her lips so we never gave it back.
Never bothered with my son.
We had no reason to start with one so didn't.
I can see the benefits but I don't think all kids need them. My youngest settled himself by holding his Muslin instead

@Emmamoo89 just didn't want to give my son one.

Well you did want to give one to your son if you tried to give him one and even dipped it in breastmilk to encourage him to take it.

I remember being categorically against giving dc1 a dummy. My MIL included one in a gift bag knowing how I felt about them- I was pretty pissed off when I opened it at the hospital.

Switch to two nights later, first night and home. Dd had awoken from her post-birth drowsiness with a vengeance. I ripped open that dummy packaging like a woman possessed.

Dd does have a speech delay, but that’s down to her being autistic, not the dummy 😂

I tried but wasn't really arsed if he took it or not.

You never see adults walking about with dummies in their mouth, do you? All of mine had them and had no issues with talking or teeth.

What a truly horrible thing to say!!! I actually can't believe you actually wrote this!