Should I ditch the dummy?

[roslily]

My ds is a fractious baby and I have found a dummy helps to calm him and soothe him. He has it to sleep, but he often spits it out before he is properly asleep. He never cries once it falls out, but if he wakes it is a quick way to resettle him (he often wakes from naps still tired)

Anyway he had been waking every hour and I was referred to a sleep clinic. The lady there today said that a lot of what I am doing is good, but that I should ditch the dummy for sleeping before he becomes dependent on it.

The thing is, by using it I have managed to get him to take proper daytime naps, settle quickly at night and last night he only woke up at 2.30am and 6am!!!!!!!!

I know it is ultimately my decision, but I would like some advice. He seems so much more settled with it.

Am I "making a rod for my back" or should I just go with it as it makes my life easier?

Hi,

I gave my DS a dummy at about 3 or 4 mths (cant quite remember but it wasn't before this), even though I was certain I wouldn't ever give a child of mine one!

In my experience it did really help, although he was never a brilliant sleeper until he was past the 8 mth mark. He would often wake at night if the dummy fell out and we'd have to put it back in.

Once he was able to find them himself in his cot he has slept much better.

He is now 23mths and loves his dummy still - although it is strcitly limited to the bed and he understands that. I don't look forward to having to wean him off it, so in that sense you do make a rod for your back, but we will do at some point when I feel like he's more ready.

Obviously in all this I cant tell you how different things would have been if we didn't have the dummy. I gave in as a bit of a desperation to be able to just put him down. I would say if you feel he needs it, then go ahead and worry about the rest later!!!

Thanks. He is 20 weeks. The thing is I would much rather jump up and put dummy back in and back to bed, than spend ages settling him.

Then go with that - there's always someone to tell you that whatever you are doing is going to cause a problem later on. Dummies can be quite a big issue as some people think they are bad for children and babies. Personally I think with a small baby you just need to get on and survive!! I was always conscious to use it in moderation with DS and he rarely had it when he was awake. The fact is that babies are soothed by the sucking action and it might give you the break (and a bit more sleep!) that you need. Good luck!

Maybe you are making a rod for your own back but believe me that rod is a small price to pay to relieve your sleep deprivation.

You can deal with that 'rod' later. Just do what you need to get through now. You deserve some rest, worry about getting off the dummy later. Worst case scenario will probably be a few broken nights later down the line when you can face weaning him off it- or he may do it of his own accord.

I was someone who thought I would not use dummies- along comes DS, terrible sleeper, dummy was my best friend, possibly saved my sanity.