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Pregnancy

Talk about every stage of pregnancy, from early symptoms to preparing for birth.

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Original poster

What are your thoughts on Dummies?

64 replies

Rooroo1012 · 24/09/2018 13:25

I'm 35 weeks pregnant with DS2 and I'm wondering whether to bother with a dummy.
DS1 never really liked using a dummy so by the time he was 2.5months old, he stopped using one. Even getting him to use one was difficult as he would constantly spit it out.

Do babies really need them?
Anyone out there that is planning on NOT using one?

OP posts:

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Alanares89 · 24/09/2018 13:29

I’m not using them! Never really liked seeing babies faces covered by a big dummy! However, I will have one on stand by lol

CaptainCorrigan · 24/09/2018 13:33

I never intended on using them, but my son was sucking his fist as soon as he was born and even used to suck on his cord in the womb as we saw on 4d scan! He couldn't quite get satisfied and settle with his fist and would get frustrated and a dummy solved it. I know a lot of babies who never bothered, I think it's just down to what they like for comfort. Mine is a big comforter fan and always likes to have something in his hands and mouth. I don't give it to him unless he's settling for sleep though.

NovBaby · 24/09/2018 13:33

Dummies are recommend by the lullaby trust to prevent SIDS.
I'll be trying one for first 6 months x

LadyKilbarron · 24/09/2018 13:34

I didn't use them with my two. They didn't seem to need them and it's one less thing to worry about.

OnlyFoolsnMothers · 24/09/2018 13:35

my DD didnt like one and I didnt feel the need to persist with sticking it in her mouth only to spend a few years down the line handling the tantrums and upset of trying to remove it from her mouth.

MaMisled · 24/09/2018 13:37

I preferred to call them soothers and they were exactly that for my 3DC.

marcheli · 24/09/2018 13:39

I'd say it totally depends on the baby. I was dead set on not using them but my son had bad reflux and the sucking action helped keep the acid down and minimised the amount of pain and discomfort he was experiencing.

If I had a relatively content baby I wouldn't introduce. They are a nightmare to stop using later on!

Merrz · 24/09/2018 13:40

Baby no 1 due January and i'm not planning to use one. My midwife advised not to use one for the 1st six weeks if you breast feed because the sucking action of a dummy and breast are totally different and can confuse the baby

Okki · 24/09/2018 13:40

Not all babies like them but as PP said they are recommended. The thing to remember is not to make the dummy your habit as opposed to the baby's. Once my dc could entertain themselves/ sit up ok, dummy lived in sleeping place.

Hideandgo · 24/09/2018 13:42

They’re really really helpful. And there’s no awards for never using them.

PrettyLovely · 24/09/2018 13:42

My first two children didnt take to a dummy my 3rd had one up until 17months my youngest only has his dummy at night times but used to always want/need it.
I think you will find it is as much as how much they need and want it.
Some babies just dont like them and some need the comfort.
All babies are different.

Hideandgo · 24/09/2018 13:43

And the breastfeeding confusion thing is an old wives tale I firmly believe. So dramatic. Babies will suck on anything, nipple, bottle, dummy, finger, daddy’s nose.

Pleasedonotforgetthetenpercent · 24/09/2018 13:43

Depends on the youngster. One of mine didn’t use it and spat it out, one was a dummy monster and loved it.

CountessVonBoobs · 24/09/2018 13:43

My first was a crap sleeper. It took weeks of persuasion to get him to take a dummy, it helped a bit, but he only had it for falling asleep and stopped by the time he was about eight months.

My second wasn't interested and I didn't bother persevering. Use them if they make life easier when you have a tiny baby is my advice, but avoid using them all day and night and try and ditch them by a year. It's not a great look or great for speech development when 2yos spend literally all day with one stuck in there and do all their talking around it, plus you'll be up 37 times a night sticking it back in.

overagain · 24/09/2018 13:43

Nice if they'll take one.

Angelmiracle · 24/09/2018 13:49

DS had silent reflux and loved Nuk dummies. Best for staying put in their mouth. Plus would never had him off the boob without it he comfort sucked a lot.

Patienceofatoddler · 24/09/2018 13:53

Never used them with first two and no plans to use with no 3.

Do what works for you.

UntilTheVeryEnd · 24/09/2018 19:05

I was against using them with DC1 but gave in after about a week. I had a pack ready for DC2 - he took to it straight away. They do soothe them and I was so tired that I was prepared to use anything to help them sleep. They are a wee pest when they get older cause mine are loathe to give them up... my daughter was 3 1/2 and my son is 20 months and won’t give it up for dear life. I defo reccommed for when they are little but plan to take them away around age 1 to save hassle in later years. My kids always prefered the tommee tippee orthodontic ones (they were more expensive but they didn’t like the other kinds)

MinisterforCheekyFuckery · 24/09/2018 19:24

I didn't plan on using one with my first baby but she had to go into SCBU and the staff asked if they could give her a dummy. They have so many poorly babies to look after they don't have time to soothe them all by cuddling, rocking them etc for hours. By the time we were allowed to take her home she was used to it and it seemed cruel to just take it away. Once she was walking/talking she only ever had it for bedtime or naps anyway, I can't say it ever caused us any problems (other than some judgey comments from the IL's which I ignored) and she gave it up without a fight at 2yo.

SnuggyBuggy · 24/09/2018 19:27

I'm kicking myself for not introducing one before 6 weeks as DD won't take one. She can be very unsettled and wants to comfort nurse a lot which is fine until you want to eat dinner or have a bath.

CocoDeMoll · 24/09/2018 19:28

Great if they take one (jealous). Mine have both been refusers

AnythingNotEverything · 24/09/2018 19:33

I never tried my eldest with one, he didn't need one anyway. Tried with my second as it would've helped with some medication, but no, wouldn't take it. DC3 and DC4 loved them and they slept brilliantly during the day (and settled well at night) because of them. We did do much dummy finding in the night either.

If you need one, you won't care. You'll be grateful for it!

pineappple · 24/09/2018 19:36

My first wouldn't take to a dummy and I tried different brands etc. Always spat it out and was happier without it. Pregnant with my 2nd now and will have them on standby just in case!

Darkstar4855 · 24/09/2018 19:36

I’d prefer not to but if it turns out to be the only way I can get my baby to settle then I will! I think I’m a bit biased because my mother didn’t like them and never used them with my brothers and I.

coffeekittens · 24/09/2018 19:39

Absolute live saver, DD was a comfort sucker as a baby so wouldn’t settle without something in her mouth, I’d have never have slept without them, I’m introducing one as soon as this baby is out of the hospital.

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