Dummy question

[karen99]

Hi, I'm asking on behalf of a friend really who seems to have quite a 'sucky' baby and comfort sucks on the breast (4wks). What are the different types of dummy out there, ie. is there a better shape/material/brand to get, eg. silicone vs (is it) laytex? Also should you get one with a case? Is there a quick way of sterilising them?

I walk into my local supermarket and they all look the same! I have searched the current threads but couldn't find a thread that specifically talks about the different types (or have I been blind?).

TIA

When I had dd2 I went looking at all the dummies and bought loads of different types some quite expensive, but the only ones dd2 would have were the 39p ones from the local spar shop! Great for me as they were cheap and I would have hundreds of them. I used to wrap them in a freezer bag after sterilizing and leave them in the fridge but I had loads so didn't need to sterilize quickly just put them in the steam sterilizer with the bottles. Gave up sterilizing as soon as dd2 could sit on the floor by herself as everything else seemed to go in her mouth! I think it is probably a case of trial and error with dummies unless you are adamant that you want the baby to have a certain type!

Thanks allthegirls. Do you know the difference between what they are made of? Is it always the case that they may not like the first one and you have to try several?

I'm not sure about what they are made of. I don't think it can make too much difference but don't quote me on that one. I hope your friend can find a suitable one as a dummy for dd2 made all the difference to me!!

dont know about the different materials karen99 but I know that babies seem to prefer different shapes and sizes. My DD1 never needed a dummy but DD2 would be lost without one. She hates the cherry ball ones and prefers the flatter "orthodontic" style teat where the bottom slopes upwards - which is good as it is supposed to be better for them. I would suggest that she goes into somewhere like Boots and just checks them out, buy a couple of different ones and see how they get on - there is no real logic t which ones they will prefer. Price is not necessarily an indicator to quality either and TBH as you lose them all to often and if not, need to replace them after a few weeks I would say go for the mid range ones - the cheaper ones can smell a bit wierd and so not sure about the latex quality. My little one loves those crystal see through ones with not too much covering her face - she is dribbly so the plastic can sweat on her face . Just watch the age range as the older the dummy the bigger the teat. More of an issue for an older baby as too small a teat means they keep dropping it!
One thing - buy a dummy saver - will save a lot of money!

Great. Thanks for the tips. I've read on a few that say "quick sterilise 5mins in microwave". Are they all this easy? I think she's concerned that she sterilises it, he doesn't use it then and she needs to cover it up for later. I thought a quick wash with boiling water would be sufficient?

Yes, now there isn't the perfect one I'll advise my friend to get a few different shaped ones, medium price range. Hadn't thought about the "see through" type ones.

My ds never used one as he has a tongue-tie and it causes nipple confusion with the bf. But haven't ruled this out for baby no2 (when the time comes!) as so many people on MN say each baby decides for themselves!

Thanks again

I kept trying to get Dd onto flat ones & shaped ones - dead loss - she'll only take cherry ones (rest shoot out at supersonic speed).

A little annoyed - is it really bad for her mouth? Should i keep pushing the shaped ones?

Get correct size - so she can hold it in her mouth properly.

Find one's with little handles and clip on caps to be the most practical for me. Tescos do some like that. Note tho' - my tesco one keeps coming out the spteriliser skew wiff - make sure it isn't touching anything.

babies put their thumbs in their mouths and we don?t sterilise them for 5 mins!
Boiling water should be fine IMO or bung them in a microwave steriliser once a day with the bottles if you have one. Works for me.
Kif - I don?t think there is anything wrong with cherry ones, just that some of the others have been more recently designed with teeth in mind. If the cherry ones were dangerous or unhealthy in any serious way I am sure we would have heard about it by now. I read a recent article saying that dummies were actually better than thumb sucking for teeth formation but couldn?t source the article - prob. sponsored research by the dummy manufacturers (cynical but likely to be the case )

There is a dummy that you can buy in boots that is designed specifically for breastfed babies. It's by Tommy tipee this is it . It's shaped like a nipple so that the baby doesn't get confused. I used these with my dd2 while I was breastfeeding as she was a really sucky baby. She has now found her thumb though and won't take the dummy anymore.

I used to put the dummy in a cup and cover it in freshly boiled water and leave it for 5 minutes.

Thanks again for the advice. I have forwarded these links onto her dh to print off. As soon as they get home pc access I'm going to give her a personal tour of MN!