Dummies can be quite a controversial thing. Some parents are completely pro-dummy, whilst others are completely against them. Using a dummy with your baby is a personal decision, and it’s always best to investigate things yourself before making a decision either way. Dummies can be a helpful tool in the early years of babyhood, and they can be used safely. Here’s what you need to know.
Do Dummies Affect Breastfeeding?
Dummies can affect breastfeeding. Babies are born with a strong sucking reflex. Breastfeeding satisfies a few of their needs in one interaction – it feeds them, it gives them closeness to their mother, and it satisfies the sucking instinct. Babies who can’t breastfeed, for whatever reason, can have some of their need to suck eased with a dummy. However, babies who haven’t quite mastered breastfeeding can find it more difficult to switch between the two.
When Should Dummies Be Used For Babies?
There is research that suggests that it’s best not to use dummies for the first few weeks after birth. There’s a suggestion that a baby with a dummy exclusively breastfeeds for a shorter period of time. Some experts believe that this is because the use of the dummy causes sucking confusion, however other experts disagree with this. Regardless of the reasons, it’s best to wait until feeding has been well established.
Can Using A Dummy Reduce The Risk Of SIDS?
There have been some studies that have suggested that dummies may reduce the risk of SIDS, or Sudden Infant Death Syndrome. However, baby-care experts don’t advise using a dummy as a method of preventing SIDS. Even the studies that have shown a reduction of risk don’t fully understand how this works, and how reliable the data is. For example, it’s possible that using a dummy stops the baby from rolling onto their fronts, or perhaps it’s because the dummy keeps the baby’s tongue in a forward position, or that babies may be less likely to move during the night, or it could be that parents check on a baby with a dummy more frequently. Essentially, there’s no definitive data to say why this would work.
Safety Tips For Dummies
If you choose to use a dummy with your baby, there are some safety tips to keep in mind.
- Do a pull test every time before giving your little one a dummy. The pull test is very simple, just pull firmly on the teat of the dummy, then the handle and the ring. If you feel any give, bin the dummy, and get a new one.
- Look for orthodontic dummies with a shield, and ventilation holes.
- If the dummy shows any sign of wear and tear, or discolouration, then bin the dummy and get a new one.
- Wash the dummy in warm soapy water, rinse well, sterilise and air dry. If you use a sterilising solution, use it exactly according to the manufacturer’s specifications. Also never use boiling water when cleaning the dummies, and make sure you clean and sterilise on a regular basis.
- Replace dummies on a regular basis. Some manufacturers recommend replacing dummies every two months, even if they appear to be fine.
- Keep dummies away from any source of strong heat. Keep them out of the windows, and away from radiators.
- Don’t tie a ribbon or string onto a dummy as this can cause a strangulation risk.
Advantages Of Dummies
The biggest advantage of a dummy is that it can help calm and soothe your baby by satisfying their need to suck. This can be especially helpful for babies who aren’t breastfed. Dummies can also help little ones to fall asleep, or to soothe them at times of upset, such as in hospital or doctors’ appointments, or during vaccinations.
Disadvantages Of Dummies
There are some disadvantages to using a dummy. Firstly, there is concern that dummies reduce how often a baby will breastfeed, and how long breastfeeding occurs for. Secondly, dummies may be a transporter of bacteria and fungus. There is anecdotal evidence that babies who use dummies are more likely to have coughs, wheezing, earaches, ear infections, diarrhoea, and gastroenteritis. Lastly, there is suggestion that dummy-use can affect how the teeth grow.
Are Dummies Bad For Baby Teeth?
There have been some studies that have found that dummies do affect the way the teeth grow if they’ve been used for a long time. The effects of this can include overbites, cross bites, open bites, and malocclusion. Orthodontic dummies are better for your baby’s teeth, as they’re designed to have the minimum amount of impact. It’s also suggested that dummy use should be reduced by two years old, and given up completely by the age of three.
Tips On Giving Up Dummies
Some parents may have started dummy use but might want to stop using them. If you think that your little one isn’t feeding as often as they should be, or as often they had been, you notice that their weight gain has been affected, or they have difficulty in breastfeeding, then you may want to think about reducing the dummy use. These tips can help:
- If your baby uses the dummy as a sleep cue, then a new sleep cue needs to be introduced. Try feeding your baby or cuddling instead of giving the dummy. Skin-to-skin contact could also be introduced as a cue for sleep.
- You might want to restrict dummy use to particular times.
- Older children may respond well to a reward system, or perhaps a ‘dummy fairy’ could visit to take the dummy away, and leave a toy, or something rewarding in its place.
- Choose your moment; only begin changing things when your little one is feeling well, happy, and everything is fairly stable.
- When you start reducing or removing the dummy, hide it away, and try to make sure your little one doesn’t see it.
