Dummy debate

Neeny82

I am currently pregnant with number 1. I am open minded about dummy use and see the pro's and cons.

In my big NHS Pregnancy book and from what I've read on-line they are actually advocating the use of dummies at night time as a way of maybe reducing the risk of SIDS which I found very interesting.

They also advised that you should not give a dummy until about 6 weeks if you are planning on breastfeeding until feeding is established.

I think I will decide when little one is here but I do not like to see children over the age of 2 with a dummy during the day - I also hate thumb sucking so would definately discourage that.

Apparently I did not take a dummy at all and did not thumb suck either - I was a chewer!!!!!! Grrrrr lol. OH apparently had a collection of dummies and used to walk round with one in his mouth and twidling about 4 between his fingers until he was about 6 - VILE! lol

Bangerchick

My first had a dummy but only because he was ill in hospital and wouldn't settle. I couldn't even pick him up, hes a normal moody 11 year old now:rotfl:

My second didn't have one, I am afraid i did try but she just wasn't interested and I am glad for that now.

I've got a friend who's daughter is 3 and a half and she still has one, personally I think it's dreadful but she just say's "oh she's still a baby" :eek: Let kids grow up!

MadDogWoman_2

Hi,

My DD is 3, she has a dummy for sleep.

She was a very sucky baby - she latched onto my cheek for 10 minutes immediately after she was delivered (c-section).

If she happens to find one in the house during the day it is taken off her, if she tries to talk with it in I just say I can't understand her and to take it out.

I planted a seed in her head about giving it up for her 4th birthday.

cazziebo

They have their place... I also hate seeing toddlers (and older :eek: ) running around with them in their mouths. To me that's just encouraging a habit rather than giving comfort...

Both my children were breastfed. DD1 fed constantly and HV recommended a dummy to give me a rest. It was a bit of a struggle giving it up but she only had it in bed. (and after she gave it up I found one hidden in her bed weeks later!) Strangely, she didn't need it in her pram - maybe the motion was comforting enough.

DD2 sucked her thumb almost from birth. I tried to get her onto a dummy but she preferred her thumb. Tried all sorts of things to stop the thumbsucking - nailbiting paint etc. The dentist even made a special brace to make the thumbsucking uncomfortable. She finally stopped when she broke her arm aged 7 and couldn't get her thumb in her mouth (bit extreme - not recommending it!).

So dummies preferable to thumbs and fingers imho.

bonty44

DS1 / 2 / 3 all breastfed and none of them would entertain a dummy

Kelinik

Neither of my girls would take one, eldest sucked her middle two fingers and youngest her thumb. They were both breastfed but both would happily take bottles of expressed milk. I tried them with dummies for colic.

Little man however is also being breastfed, refuses any type of bottle point blank but likes a dum to fall asleep on - go figure!

munch_jg

i haven't read the whole thread, but i said i wasn't going to give dd a dummy but soon changed my mind when at the hospital she was sucking on me not taking any milk just sucking for comfort. But she just wouldn't take it and still wont.

I don't think badly of any parent that gives a dummy, but i hate seeing children with a dummy!

notakid

My son after I'd failed breastfeeding took to a dummy straight away. He loved it! We took it off him on his first birthday.

Four years later, I'd one ready for my daughter, wasn't interested at all. I remember at the hosp trying to ram it in her mouth! She took to breast feeding and sucked her middle finger for years until the dentist told her it was affecting her teeth, (4 years) she stopped straight away, it was funny watching her when she was tired, hand going to mouth and then snatched away.

My niece had a dummy until she was 4, put my teeth on edge. But she hasn't got it now, she is five.

One of my friends children had a dummy until he was eleven! And a blanket piece. My friend also used to feed him! (tbf I think it was my friends fault for wanting to keep her youngest as a baby.)

Caroline73_2

OrkneyStar wrote: »

Can I ask what age he sucked his fingers until ?
I ask because DS was at dentist a month or so ago and she was absolutely not worried about him still thucking his thumb just now. In fact I am more worried lol!

He was 7 when he stopped doing it.

redmel1621

Hi

DS1 had a dummy until he was around 2yrs, DS2 wouldn't take one at all, but I really wish he would of as he was the whingiest baby on this planet! DS3 has a dummy, he is 17mths now and I am in the process of cutting down the time he has it. He is not allowed it out the house anymore (unless he is tired) and I pretty much take it away everytime he is playing happily/nicely and just give it him for bed or if he is tired/upset. DD1 is only 10wks old and although she will take a dummy, she is not very keen, so I don't force it on her but will encourage her to take it is she is screeching...and she has it for bed.

I do think they are very useful for helping parents to keep their sanity, but am with others in that I don't like seeing older kids with them.

I know a little girl who still has her dummy and she is in full time school(5yrs ish), her mum takes it off her at the school gate and gives it back at home time!!!