What is your opinion on dummies?

[sharond101]

OH thinks we should get some in for the baby coming. I think they are a last resort and don't want baby to be dependant on them. What is the consensus?

my first three never had them really, i think ds1 did occasionally ie in the car from about 4-9mths? but he never really took to it.

ds2 and ds3 werent interested but used me as one!

ds4 was a thumb sucker from birtha dn still is at 3yrs.

dd, 14mths has one for sleeping and when in the pushchair/carseat, now she is almost walking i dont plan on letting her have it when she walking around, but for when she is tired, in the pushchair or poorly etc. most of the time in the day now she is too busy crawling/crusing around and doesnt want it apart from when she is getting tired. it was and still is great for her to go to sleep, we have the glo in the dark avent ones for bedtime, 4 of them left scattered in her bed and she generally finds them on her own, when she was younger she often needed up so replace it which was a bit of a pita but you can get comforters that htey attach onto that helps that problem, there is one that is a cuddly rabbit, its very cute and has 4 velcro fasteners for dummies to attach onto :)

I bought a pack before DS arrived.

We never used them as he was fine without them, but I know other babies that were going crazy and become angels once they were given a dummy :)

I agree with notso and BornToFolk I never had a dummy and sucked my thumb until i was at least 15! Thumbs are a lot harder to give up. I plan on having a couple of dummies around and see if DD takes it but just once BF is established and probably only for sleeping. My teeth are all bent at the front and my bite is way off due to thumb sucking for so long!?!

I say give it a go and see what happens, can't see the harm:)

I had a dummy until I was til I was far too old, and never had any problems with my teeth so would be pro dummy just from that. But definitely think its an option over the thumb as my sister is in her 30s and she would still put her thumb to her mouth when exhausted or needing comfort in sleep! at least you can get rid of a dummy.

I think its personal though as its not about the teeth issue or getting rid of the dummy, its about when it suits you to use it with the baby and if the dummy is part of a routine, it could be a life/sleep saver tho!!

I had no opinion on dummies one way or the other before having children but had one or 2 in.
Dc1 wasn't bothered , dc2 would take one long enough for me to finish dealing with dc1, cook dinner etc.
The other time they were really useful were when carried in the sling he would often be in such close proximity to my boobs I think the smell would tell him to be hungry! If I popped a dummy in I could trick him long enough to get home / to a cafe / get off the bus to feed him. He weaned himself off them about 9 months I think.
Dc3 wasn't interested either!
I am pregnant with dc4 and will keep some in just in case!