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I have a couple stashed away...never thought about buying any, but mum suggested that I might like to get just a couple as they were a lifesaver for her...and the last thing you want is wishing you had a dummy to help soothe a screaming baby but it's 2am in the morning and nothing is open! So I thought better to be safe than sorry and it was only a few dollars so if we don't end up using them it's no biggie.
I always made sure I had a few on hand with all the kids
N spat his at 8 month
W never took it
V STILL HAS IT and its doing my friggen head in!!!!
M had one for 2 months and decided my nipple wasmuch better
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Personally hate them, but I don't have children yet! I think it all depends on what age you get rid of them at. I have a theory that dummy suckers are more likely to get ear infections (just from my observations), speech difficulties (where allowed past one) and a variety of other things. Plus I've seen many parents who just can't get rid of them - toddlers with dummies in all day long are a real pet hate with me - especially when the child tries to talk with the dummy shoved in.
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Ok, so i'm willing to try them, with boundaries. Now the question is, at what age should i take it off him??
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I prefer a dummy to sucking thumbs. You can get rid of dummies, but you can't cut a childs thumb off!
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I think you need to be guided by your baby tbh as to when you take it off them (assuming they will take it in the first place). Your baby may also decide for themselves that at X months/years they no longer want or need it.
We use one with DS but he came out and put his fingers in his mouth straight away. He is also a bit chucky and seems to need to suck for a few mins after most feeds (but without feeding iykwim?). He also uses it to go to sleep and I have used it to calm him down when he is distressed.
We have been advised that the cheaper dummy styles are the 'best' in terms of shape. Apparently the orthodontic ones aren't great and can cause more problems with bfing etc. Not sure how true that is, just what we have been told by midwives and also a dental technician at mothers group said the same thing.
Good luck with the whole dummy thing. It is a good idea to have a couple on hand but I think it's like the rest of having a baby and entering parenthood - it's one big rollercoaster ride and you can't predict now what will or won't work for your bub.
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Hun, in the wee hours of the morning when your 4 week old bubba has a pain and wont stop crying - you will try anything to help them get some relief.
I don't agree with your theory whatsoever, and have had 3 kids. If it is based on a medical observation (I dont know your background) - I must be one of the lucky ones.
SophieRose - you try and reduce or take it off him when you think he is ready and able to cope or find comfort in other ways, or perhaps doesnt even want it!! - you can help him cuddle teddies instead, or have a special blankie etc - that bit is entirely up to you and your child.
Currently my #3 will take a dummy to go to bed, but if he wakes for a feed early hours, absolutely refuses it to go back to bed and self settled - weird hey!
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my friends mum told me that when her youngest turned one, she took the dummy away and when the child asked for the dummy and she kept giving her a stuffed bunny and said "bunny" instead...funnily enough it worked after a few attempts! thought that was awesome.
Last edited by sydney moose; June 26th, 2009 at 07:18 PM. : sp
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I think that it doesn't matter what my opinion is on dummies, it's going to be what works for you and your child that ultimately you're bothered about.
I've used a dummy, though DS doesn't really like them past the initial "I need to suck something" bit. He likes his bunny more: he chews on bunny ears.
I think dummies are quite ugly and HATE seeing them. Still do. But I still used them because DS needed one on occasion. I'm not about to have DS screaming that his tummy hurts and he needs to suck and NOT use a dummy.
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I too have bought a twin pack of newborn dummies to stash away *just in case*. I'd prefer to have them ready and waiting if we need them as a last resort in the middle of the night!
I myself didn't take to the dummy as a baby as I happily self-soothed from day dot by sucking my thumb instead. Much to my parents disgust (and mine too looking back at it!), I sucked my thumb until I was 10! At least a dummy can 'disappear', the same can't be said for the childs thumb! LOL!
PS: 6 years of orthodontic work during puberty finally fixed my teeth!
2013 BellyBelly RAK Recipient.
When I was pregnant I was so anti-dummy it wasn't funny, and now there are days when I wish Jazz had taken the dummy! She did take it, once, when she was a few hours old, and has never taken it since (like Maz, she preferred the nipple... oh, sorry, thats past tense... she still prefers the nipple).
If it works for you, then run with it i think. Ignore other people and their ideas and just do whatever works for you and your little one.
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We used dummies for ds but about 2mths ago he decided he didnt want it anymore. Even when he's really upset he refuses it. He seems to think its much better to throw
Just a thing about dummies. They slip out alot so we got one from Big W that closes over when it falls. So no yuckies get on the actual dummy part. HTH
Last edited by Reborn; June 26th, 2009 at 03:31 PM. : I forgot to write some more words.
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DD never took the dummy and i always wished she did!
I would get jealous seeing other mums at the shops with a peaceful baby sucking the dummy! haha. The only way i could make dd peaceful was the put the nipple in her mouth!
GL! I hope your bub takes one, they're a godsend!
I'll be trying to give our bub the dummy again when she arrives!
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lol I could take out shares in TommeeTippee. I have always used them and at least they can be taken away unlike fingers.
Your baby might not have DPs opinions though. Darcy would only take the $2 dummies and lots of bubs are like that. The ortho ones are weird....
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#1 - you sterilise it nearly every day to start with
#2 - if it falls under the cot you give it a brush off, then think for a minute and get a clean one out cos you better wash it
#3 - argh, dirt is good for their immune systems
I always remember being told this and mebbe not to that extreme, but it is pretty true
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I think my main problem with dummies is that alot of people i've known have always either been "if you have to use a dummy, your obviously not doing something right" or they have six year olds who still insist on having a dummy in their mouth 24hrs a day.
I'd probably be fine with letting bub have one as long as it was limited use. Like when it's my last resort cause he won't settle, and i can promise you he won't be one of those older kids who still use them constantly when they hit school. I don't want him to develop a dependance on it. I don't want to develop a dependance on them either. Lol.
SamiH- Although the $2 would be a whole lot cheaper, DP although he's fine with using a dummy, forbids us to use cheap ones. He's only ok with the two for $15 orthodontic ones. Lol. He's weird.
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