What's your opinion on dummy use?

[Sam9kids]

Why is it always the men that say no to them? half the time they arnt the ones up all night or having to be home with a very upset screaming baby

I have had 7 kids with my hubby, and hes NEVER got up in the night with any of them! He does get up in a morning with them though!

 

[LIZZY55]

Dummies are great!
Before I had my daughter, I always said I'd never have one. At first she didn't want one but now she's well into her teething she loves it. She's 5.1 months old. I can't believe how soothing it is for her. As soon as she's wimpering and getting uncomfortable it settles her straight away.

 

[Lara310809]

At such a young age, babies like to comfort suck. Remember that the world is a scary place for a baby, and I htink it's important to help it feel secure however possible. I was against dummies, but someone advised me to get a couple just in case. I now have about 8 because I couldn't live without them.

The only thing I would say is not to give your LO a dummy if they're perfectly happy without one, because it only encourages them to get used to having one in their mouth, and once she starts gurgling, a dummy will stop her chatting to you, and therefore limit your interaction. I personally don't see a problem if a dummy is only used when LO is unsettled, and if she drops it at night, I will take it away from her.

 

[blahblahblah]

I think they're great for babies, we'd have been lost without it! I don't like to see older children with them though.

 

[gina8177]

We use a dummy in the car (he hates car rides) and occasionally during his fussy time at night. But I only plan on using it until 4-5 months. Any other time he needs to suck to calm I use my pinky. And he's slowly figuring out to use his own hand.

 

[Foogirl]

I always said never. I don't like seeing babies with dummies - personal opinion, no offence to all of you - if it works for you then that's fine. I've heard too many friends complain about getting their toddlers to give them up. Mr Foo was keen to give them a try when she was colicky.

I did almost give in when the colic was at its worst, but Abby refused to take it so that was that! I never had a dummy, nor did I suck my thumb. Abby doesn't suck her thumb either, she sucks her tongue and it is incredibly cute!

I think as long as parents understand the potential pit falls and problems, and are willing to accept that some peace and quiet now might come at the price of a few days of tantrums later, then they should go for it.

 

[redpoppy]

I'm not too fond or too anti about dummies. But I never understand why people get so anti them in the first place. NO ONE i know sucks a dummy as an adult or even feels the need to. (There are a few mums on B&B who will tell you it's different with sucking thumbs or fingers) So if baby is getting soothed try and perhaps limit it and eventually just wean them or get rid of it no?

Also, bear in mind you haven't passed the 6 week fussiness/crying peak yet and you'll find the crying starts to fall after that unless there are colic or reflux (or maybe some other) issues.

 

[AppleBlossom]

Dummies have been a lifesaver for me! I started giving Grace one when she was 6 months old. Now she only has it when she is going to sleep or if she is being a pain in the arse when we're out. It doesn't ruin their teeth like some people claim. And it reduces the risk of SIDS because the sucking reflex keeps their brain active while they're sleeping. Plus, you can take a dummy off a child, you can't take a thumb off them and a lot of babies (not all!) suck their thumbs/fingers if they don't have a dummy

 

[Embo]

We gave Imogen a dummy as due to being colicy in the evening, and just sucking at the breast but spitting the milk out as she wasn't hungry so I was getting completely soaked, gave her a dummy and its sorted out the problems straight away,
I sucked my thumb as a child and still did up until I moved in with my partner,
and my 18 year old sister still sucks her thumb, so I'd defo rather give a dummy, than encourage thumb sucking.

 

[RJsMum]

I used one off and on with my son, but only to soothe. I would rarely put him to sleep with it though. He weaned himself off of it though by 3 mos.

I tried giving one to him again recently, and he just chews on it now because of teething.

I personally don't think they are a problem as long as you don't let them be.

 

[OmarsMum]

My opinion?

Dummies are the best invention EVER!!! lol!

Seriously, the baies have them at night and naps and thats it

Im adopting this rule with Hazel and seems to be working well. xx

Me 2

 

[Lu28]

I've never liked them, always swore I wouldn't use them and Aisling doesn't use them - but only because she refused to take it and kept spitting it out! I have never liked the look of them and didn't like the idea of having to wean them off but I have seen babies Aisling's age sucking their thumbs which I think looks worse and is potentially a longer term issue as you can't take the thumb away. So if we do have another baby with a strong sucking reflex, then I will probably offer one

 

[mrsthomas623]

LOVE THEM!! And tell your DH that since your baby is a "sucky" baby.. pacifiers are a lot easier to break then thumb sucking...

 

[pinklightbulb]

I always said no dummies, and E wouldn't take one-- he gagged before it even touched his mouth! If others want to use them, that's completely their choice but like others have said I don't like seeing toddlers with them. It just looks wrong somehow.

 

[PepsiChic]

I dont use a dummy for our son, i dont like the idea of them. I believe that I should be able to comfort my baby without using a dummy to do the job for me.

 

[PetiteMoi]

Thank you so much for all your opinions and advice! It all makes sense to me, just need to try to convince DH now ;-) I agree - it seems it's mostly men who are against dummies and they don't even have to deal with the crying or seeing their baby extremely upset (only for a short while in the evening!).

The only problem though - if it's even a problem - is that LO doesn't spit it out, she sleeps with it still in, is that a problem?!

 

[mrsthomas623]

Thank you so much for all your opinions and advice! It all makes sense to me, just need to try to convince DH now ;-) I agree - it seems it's mostly men who are against dummies and they don't even have to deal with the crying or seeing their baby extremely upset (only for a short while in the evening!).

The only problem though - if it's even a problem - is that LO doesn't spit it out, she sleeps with it still in, is that a problem?!

Nope my LO is pretty good at keeping it in.. makes it easier!

 

[Seity]

Love em! Gabriel needed something to suck on as a baby. As he's gotten older he needs the pacifier less and less. He used to need it to fall asleep at night and I'd remove it as soon as he was asleep. He never woke wanting it in the night after he fell asleep. He no longer uses it at night at all. I mostly only break it out for when he's really fighting a nap now.

 

[emsiee]

We only give Jessica a dummy when she is hungry and waiting for her bottle to done. Other than that, she wont take one anyway, but I do believe if you want to give baby one and he/she will take it, I dont see the problem.

 

[sunshine114]

They have been great for my lo. He is always wanting to suck something - his fingers, clothes, car seat straps, so I feel the dummy is the lesser of many evils. Really helps to settle him.