Character Dummy Debate?! :\

[Divinebeauty]

We've always had a dummy, we also started Tabitha with her when she was in NICU as a comforter.
She uses it to help help settle her, if she is sleepy, or a bit grumpy and as she has just got teeth 5 &6 she actually chomps on it.
Usually by the time we go to bed, dummy is out but she re-settles herself fine without it, or finds it in her cot herself. I really don't mind how long she needs or wants it for. In the grand scheme of things (to me) its not a big deal esp with so many other things to worry about!
My friend is a teacher and says a good trick to help get rid of a dummy in an older child is to say Santa needs it for the baby reindeer - i think thats sooo cute!!!

ooo I like that idea too!!! thx for sharing!

 

[mummy2lola]

Dummies help reduce SIDS so in my eyes they are great as Lola love her dummy and I sleep a little easier when she has it.as for the character ones,I love them but they are meant for 6+ months so definitely wouldn't b using them to bring a newborn home with xx

 

[nikkip75]

We were going to use the Santa needs your dummies for the new babies line but when it come to christmas eve and she got so upset and kept asking why naughty santa had taken them we decided to give them back! We were a bit scared it was going to ruin christmas for her and she would grow up hating Santa for stealing her dummies!

We tried again a few months later and she was fine and still loves Santa

 

[Murphy98]

Before I had my son, I probably would have said the same.

Now, I could care less. I know what it's like to use a comfort tool on an extended basis (swaddling, mine never took a dummy) and how much it HURT that people made comments on it despite my son really enjoying it and TBH, it never bothered them or hurt anyone so who cares?

IMO lazy parenting is when you can't be bothered to get up and deal with them in the morning, or to ignore them all day. "Lazy" is not taking away a dummy/comfort item because they still enjoy it. It's just not your style, that's all.

And who knows, you might find yourself in that position too. It' very very very easy to judge someone's parenting from afar but I can't think of a single parent who has done exactly what they decided was the "ideal" before a baby actually came.

Exactly, exactly, exactly what she said ^^. Took the words right out of my mouth. I'm the busy, imperfect, loving and dedicated mum of a bedtime dummy user - I have no inclination to judge myself or others over something as trivial as pacifier use (or cet pacifiers picture).

 

[HellBunny]

Dummies in general i don't think theres a problem with them, i like the design of the crystal ones like the ones on facebook however i wouldn't use them due to safety concerns, i would maybe get one as a keepsake though as they are kind of cute

 

[letia659]

Zander gave his up at 5 months on his own but my 7yr old Jacob loved his and he had one til he was 2 and he was the child that walked around with it and the fact that he was big as a 3 yr old at 2 yrs didnt help the looks comments I got but we got rid of it right before he was 2 and I was happy with that we only used the cheap colored ones I didnt buy fancy or character ones since he liked to lose them alot and I didnt see the point

 

[Babushka99]

Dummies promote healthy teeth development up to 18 months and reduce sids. I think the character dummies are funny and pretty dummies are fab look at my profile picture I never thought I'd use a dummy when I was pregnant. I think its better not to have loads of preconcieved ideas and just go with the flow so you don't set yourself up for disappointment.

 

[Lydiarose]

I dont get the character thing either a dummys a dummy?

each to there own though!

Whatever makes mum and baby most happy IMO just do what youve got to do to survive

 

[bubba no.1]

my lg has a dummy but normally uses it when she is tired and also when she goes to bed at night but we use the clear / see through Avent ones.

 

[CLH_X3]

Me and my OH were dead against dummys but we use one, main reason was the doctor advised us to!
I like the character ones, I think there funny and the gem ones are cute but I wouldn't use them incase the stones fell of!
I hate cheap looking dummies tho! Just big bulky and plastic..
I also don't like children that are 2/3 still walking round with them..
I plan to ditch it by a yr old and maybe only use it for night time, bit I might try and switch to a comforter instead ...

 

[Lilysmum17]

Not offended at all by your views on dummies each to there own ! I find it amusing though how many parents swear there babies won't have one, then do, its ok having this opinion until you find your baby may need one hehe !!! It's because they comfort babies and some need to suckle. My lo loves hers, character ones don't bother me but i prefer plain, although the bille'bob one is just ugly ! My eldest had a dummy until she was 3 and i admit i won't let mia have hers that long, but taking it away wasn't out of laziness more guilt because i knew she loved it so much and it felt cruel making her part with it but i should have made her part with it before so attached and she didn't "need" it

 

[Eleanor ace]

I really didn't want to use a dummy because as a teacher I've seen several children who have speech and language delays due to overuse. However I had problems with my milk supply at 3 weeks and the dummy became a life saver as it would tide him over until I could feed him. Also I have become SO paranoid about SIDs so I'll do anything to help reduce the risk.
We'll hopefully be removing the dummy before LO starts talking, but if he needs it for longer at nap times then he can have it- he's my baby, I will give him what makes him happy (within reason of course)!
We us orthodontic dummies and although I'm not a fan or character/bling dummies they don't offend me, they're just not my cup of tea.

 

[Lilly12]

My DD doesn't take a pacifier.
I think they look cute though, NOT the one the OP posted though LOL.
I do think it's funny, but not something I'd choose for my DD

 

[Brookey]

am i the only one who doesnt get the big deal with dummies? at the end of the day its very easy to say you wont give your baby a dummy, but when you have a few nights of constant crying then you will try anything. when Leo is tired he will cry and thrash around, as soon as i put his dummy in his eyes close, literally instantly.

i really dont understand how people can be so dead against it? i just think if u want to use one, use one. If not, dont.

 

[pinklightbulb]

My son never took one whether I wanted him to or not Not sure if I will even bother trying to introduce one with the next baby.

 

[mommyof3co]

I don't understand the issue with pacifiers either. All 4 of my boys have had one and I have no problem with it at all. I like solid color ones but I also like ones that have cute sayings or cute little animals. Not characters just because I don't like character things in general. I don't like the one in the OP either.

I'm a bit offended that you'd say it's laziness on the parent's part for a 3/4yr old to have one. That isn't always the case. Or I guess I'm not offended as much as I think that you are looking at most kids and their needs at that age, but not every child is the same. I would have thought the same thing probably until going through what we did with Hayden. Hayden was extremely attached (he's our 3rd) and could NOT settle without it. Even at 2-3yrs old. He did finally outgrow that right after his 3rd birthday and as soon as he didn't NEED it anymore it was gone. But we tried to take it away a little before his 3rd birthday and stuck to it but he could NOT sleep. I sat outside his door where he couldn't see me and saw him actually trying to go to sleep and couldn't. When he finally fell asleep at night he would wake up at least once an hour. He wasn't throwing a fit just because he wanted it but he really could not figure out how to settle himself to sleep with out it. It was his only comfort thing and what he used to self settle. We got him attached to a stuffed monster instead and were finally able to take his paci. But we definitely weren't lazy about it but following his needs. Granted he didn't have it in his mouth all the time, just if he was hurt or for naps and bed...not just out and about or playing. My older 2 it was gone by around a year old though.

 

[iHeartbaby#1]

Before I had my son, I probably would have said the same.

Now, I could care less. I know what it's like to use a comfort tool on an extended basis (swaddling, mine never took a dummy) and how much it HURT that people made comments on it despite my son really enjoying it and TBH, it never bothered them or hurt anyone so who cares?

IMO lazy parenting is when you can't be bothered to get up and deal with them in the morning, or to ignore them all day. "Lazy" is not taking away a dummy/comfort item because they still enjoy it. It's just not your style, that's all.

And who knows, you might find yourself in that position too. It' very very very easy to judge someone's parenting from afar but I can't think of a single parent who has done exactly what they decided was the "ideal" before a baby actually came.

Exactly, exactly, exactly what she said ^^. Took the words right out of my mouth. I'm the busy, imperfect, loving and dedicated mum of a bedtime dummy user - I have no inclination to judge myself or others over something as trivial as pacifier use (or cet pacifiers picture).

Can i just ask what you guys would do if your baby was 3-4 years old and STILL enjoys the pacifier and STILL needs it's comfort? After 4 years old there is a definite possibility of causing harm to their teeth! My feelings are that a child who has been attached to a pacifier for so many years would probably take weaning even harder than a younger baby would... causing more discomfort and upset in the long run wouldn't it?

I'm not trying to offend just honestly curious as this is something i wondered and worried about

I weaned my LO off the pacifier at 6 months. I heard there is a risk of ear infections after 6 months although it isn't known exactly why this may be... probably something to do with pressure in the ears.

Again i am not trying to offend anyone. Actually, my LO now needs to fall asleep cuddling his face in a blanket which i know is bad for SIDS...so i almost wish i had just stuck with the pacifier