Newborn dummies

[Neenee Jellybeanie]

Aurelia never took to the avent "designer" dummies, but she loves the 'happy baby' ones. I think the roundness is what she likes about them. I always gave her ones that were a size too big, because they were to relieve her teething (i wanted her to be able to chew on them).

[jentak]

I used a MAM soother when DD was a new bub. It wasn't too big and didn't cover half her face like some do!

[blue daisy]

Hey everyone

dummies are safe for babies...in fact some research into SIDS indicates that the use of a dummy reduces SIDS as a risk as the baby does not enter a really deep sleep phase (which is when SIDS can occur)

but...
why do you need one?
Babies cry to communicate...popping a dummy in does stop the crying but it does not address why they are crying
Breastfed or formula fed babies still feed every 2hours or so in the early days of life, just because your baby does not do what the formula tin indicates does not mean that it is wrong. Breast fed babies suck at the breast for comfort and to stimulate mothers milk supply

Babies also suck to self soothe, and part of their developmental growth means sucking on their little hands. If we place a dummy in their mouth they are missing out on a vital stage of self settling development

Your baby can get attached to the dummy and become unsettled everytime it falls out. This may not be a problem now, but at 4months it may cause problems

Im not against dummies as they have their place, but it is important to consider all aspects of their use

x

[JadeLil]

I was advised by a child health nurse to purchase the Happy Baby dummy as it was meant to be similar to that of my nipple... and as I was breastfeeding at the time, did not want to confuse DS. I now use Pigeon dummies.

[Lynn]

Ethan was given the Happy Baby ones in SCU as well so they were the ones that I bought because the hospital recommended them. I just wasn't using them at home because I guess like Blue Daisy said they are crying for a reason and I would always try other ways to settle him but people were asking me why I wasn't using a dummy so I thought I should start but to be honest I think it is causing more problems. When I put the dummy in he does settle but as soon as it falls out he crys so I'm not sure that it is helping

[Janie]

Lynn, DO NOT LISTEN TO WHAT OTHERS THINK YOU SHOULD DO. You are Ethan's mummy, you know what is best for him. If you feel it is causing more problems, it probably is. Seriously, everytime I listen to other's well-meaning advice, things seem to get so much worse for us until I stop it and go back to what I think is best.

You're doing a great job hun, trust your mummy instincts, they will be right!

[Lynn]

Thank you Janie I am just second guessing everything that I am doing because I don't know if it is the right thing. And also because people are saying what I should be doing. I know you are right and I shouldn't listen to them but it is just so hard. I thought everything was going ok but people would put other thoughts in my head and I think this is where we are going wrong now because when he is unsettled I have these little voices in my head (no I am not crazy........ok maybe I am!) where I think of all the things that other people are saying to me so I try that and it isn't working. I guess I should go back to what I think and see how that goes.

[JSMUM]

I have a reflux bub and have actually been told to get him to take a dummy as the sucking will help keep the acid down - but I cant get him to take one!!! (he wont take a bottle anymore either - he did for the first 3 weeks, and now just refuses, no matter how hungry)

Any tips on getting him to take it? He likes the taste now of his medicine - so I tried even putting this on the dummy, but he just licks it until the meds gone, and then spits it as far as he can...

He's 10 weeks old...

[ambz]

jsmum i have an 8 week old with acid reflux also. i was also told a dummy might help. she doesnt like the dummy very much either and continuously rejects or spits it out. i have tried a few different ones...tommy tippee cherry shape , nuk orthodontic, tommee tippee soother, heinz baby basics. i found the heinz one works the best although she does spit it out still..

nuk was useless and just kept falling out when she was trying to suck it
tommy tippee cherry 0 months was making her gag
tommy tippee soother no good either.

my first girl loves the tommy tippee cherry dummy and took to it straight away.
i guess every baby is different and im not sure if Bf or FF makes a difference..
my first was FF (formula fed) and loved the dummy
my second started of breast fed and doesnt like the dummy.

i must say the dummy for me was fantastic!!! really soothed a crying baby which at the time is all you want to do. Savanna is 18 months now and only has the dummy to put her to sleep then she spits it out and continues to sleep so no problem there. initially in the begining when the dummy fell out she would wake and cry for it..

giving your child a dummy is a personal choice and you only should do what works for you and what you want to do.
i was against it before savanna was born.. but like everything in life you shouldnt judge unless your in the situation.


cheers ambz