My dummy is not evil

The humble dummy. A life saver for some parents, but when does this little rubber thing become a menace? Mostly when our precious darlings won’t let them go.

Teething troubles and other poppycock

Fact: Dummies won’t harm milk teeth but may permanently affect the growth of their second set. Teeth may have to move to make space for them.

Maybe: It will ruin any chance you have at breastfeeding. This may be the case for some people, but don’t let midwives bully you into something you don’t want to do. If your baby settles well with a dummy, and this keeps your sanity then do it. If breastfeeding does go tits up because of nipple confusion, then try feeding with a nipple guard, it will feel similar to sucking a dummy or drinking from a bottle.

Fact: If the midwives don’t like it then get them to come around and look after a distressed baby who wants his dummy.

Fact: Don’t dip dummies in sweet stuff, and for God’s sake stop great aunt Nora insisting you dip it in Brandy to stop teething trouble.

Maybe: “Late speech development blame the dummy” experts cry. It’s true that it is impossible to talk properly with a dummy in the mouth, but try to reduce dummy contact time, read books, talk to your child all the time, even when pushing the pram. They will talk eventually!

Fact: T’aint hygienic It’s yucky, all full of gross stuff, it falls on the floor then you have to suck it first before giving It back.

Potential Myth: There is also a tenuous though not totally proven link between dummies and an increased risk of ear infection. When babies and toddler’s who like their dummies are not well it is obvious they will reach for what gives them the greatest comfort.

Fact: New findings have shown that a baby using a dummy when sleeping has a reduced risk of cot death. It is unclear exactly why, but one theory suggests it is the gap left between the blankets and the dummy handle, which helps air circulate. If the dummy falls out while the baby is sleeping then don’t put it back in unless asked for.

Do not worry if your baby’s dummy falls out whilst they are sleeping or if your baby does not want to use a dummy. Not all babies take to dummies and you should never force your child to use one if they do not want to.

Fact: The so what? Theory. Who gets the most upset about dummy use? Generally the parents when they feel pressurised that a child is using a dummy and they hear some shocking new evidence that suggests the dummy is bad.

Maybe that nerdy scientist still has a scrap of blankee under the pillow. Perhaps that battle-axe midwife still has her favourite teddy.

You can guarantee if your child still has their dummy on the first day they start school, they won’t be sucking it by 3.30pm.

Getting rid of the dummy

If your child loves having their dummy all the time, or is not giving it up without a fight then firstly don’t overly worry. It is their comforter and making them give it up is a big ask.

Check the toy box and the bedrooms. Despite your best efforts, dummies can be squirreled away.

Try restricting the dummy to set times such as bed time. As soon as they wake up ask for their dummy and then put it out of sight. Swap the dummy for their morning milk or juice. Then hide well.

If your child is at an age where they understand then why not tell them that if they put their dummy under the pillow, the dummy fairy will come along and swap it for a present. Ok this may involve buying something small, but this may become a more convenient soother.

If all else fails then you can be sure that by the end of their first day at school they will no longer want it.

My Dummy Hell by Chopsy Baby Editor Jen Smith

“While I was pregnant I swore to myself that I would never use dummies. Whilst out shopping for some last minute baby items with a friend, she picked a packet of dummies up and gave them to me. Before I could protest she thrust them at me with a desperate look and with a quavering voice she said “you will need them believe me.”

“After finally coming home with my four day old son, he began to cry. It was never ending and would not stop no matter how I tried all the techniques in the Bounty Book.

“Eventually, with ears bleeding, I dug out the packet of dummies and gave him one. The noise stopped immediately and the baby was not without his dummy.

“One of my midwives was a scary lady. I found myself running around hiding dummies and bottles when I saw her car pull up. She didn’t aprove of dummies, and always found it the main reason when things weren’t going right. We finally sent her packing and got on just fine with our growing dummy collection.

“That was two years ago. Hootie, as it is known to Sid, is as beloved to him as teddy bears and bits of blankets are to other children. It seems rather unfair that his dummy should be taken away from him whereas other children keep their bears and blankets into adulthood.

“Hootie does rule my life though. He uses it as a method to get my attention. He also uses it as a weapon. If someone annoys him or tells him off, he rips it out of his mouth and throws it at them really hard. He expects the person to pick it up and give it straight back. It is a bit funny except when he does it with a die cast metal double decker bus.

“I have tried using all the orthodontic and teeth friendly varieties, but he will only suck on the cherry shaped ones. The others he sucks once, twists round in his mouth, then spits out. Every time.”

Two week old Sid with beloved Hootie. Hootie is the main star of every photograph taken since.