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Although dummies have been used for centuries they are still a very controversial area of parenting and most people have strong views either for, or against their use.
Deciding whether to introduce a dummy into your baby's life is a very personal decision and one that should be made by you alone. There are good arguments for either side of the debate so to help you feel informed we explain what you need to know about dummies.
Advantages of dummies
Sucking seems to have a soothing and settling effect on babies. Sucking a dummy helps some babies settle.
Comfort - Babies love sucking anything and everything and will do so whether it's a dummy, their own hand or something else new and interesting. Some babies even begin sucking their thumb in the womb! The action of sucking alone is of great comfort to most infants so having a dummy can help them feel more able to calmly adjust to life in the outside world.
Freedom - Some parents feel that giving their child a dummy allows them the freedom to establish a feeding routine that works for them and for baby rather than simply having to comfort feed on demand.
Sleep - Many babies find it difficult to settle by themselves and they can find it an enormous comfort to suck on a dummy as they dose off. For some parents this is a good option as it means they do not become dependent on being fed to sleep or rocked to sleep by Mum or Dad, making life easier and less stressful for everyone.
Pain relief - For some babies, sucking on a dummy seems to help relieve the painful symptoms of colic and wind where other methods have failed.
Safety - Research has found that use of a dummy during nap time can cut the risk of SIDS by up to a half and FSID now recommend that all newborns sleep with a dummy. Click here for more information on dummies and sleep.
Feeding -There is some evidence that sucking on a dummy can help premature babies establish bottle feeding earlier, often meaning that they are able to leave hospital sooner than they would otherwise be able.
Thumb-sucking - Dummy use reduces the likelihood that a baby will become a 'thumb sucker' as their mouth is otherwise occupied. Because it's far easier to wean a little one off a dummy than it is their thumb, many parents see this as the preferred option.
Dummy facts and fallacies
Earache
Some researchers debate about whether dummy use is associated with a higher incidence of middle ear infections. So far the evidence isn’t strong enough to prove either argument.
Early weaning
There’s an association between dummy use and early weaning. But there’s increasing evidence that dummies don’t cause nipple confusion in breastfed babies, and that they aren’t the cause of early weaning. It seems more likely that mothers who are experiencing difficulties with breastfeeding use dummies as a weaning tool.
If you’re experiencing problems with breastfeeding, speak to your maternal and child health nurse or lactation consultant.
Disadvantages of dummies
Speech problems - Sucking on a dummy during waking hours means that babies miss out on the essential babble and chatter that plays a vital role in their early speech development. Prolonged use can have serious implications for their speech development.
Dental problems - Daily use also has implications for teeth development, particularly in older infants. Teeth can become deformed and may not grow properly, leading to problems that have to be corrected later on.
Stomach bugs - Diarrhea, vomiting and other stomach-bug type infections are also more common with babies that frequently use dummies
There are other downsides to dummies:
Not all babies accept a dummy.
Babies can get very upset when dummies are lost or misplaced.
Babies can become dependent on dummies to get to sleep.
If babies aren’t old enough to find their dummies and put them back in during the night, they’ll cry for help. You can teach dummy independence when your baby is eight months or older.
Eventually, your child will have to part with the dummy. Children who’ve had their dummies for some time are likely to be very attached to them. This means that giving up the dummy might not be easy.
Choosing a dummy
Look for a one-piece model with a soft nipple. Dummies made in two pieces can break apart and become a choking hazard.
Look for a firm plastic shield with air holes. Check the shield is more than 3 cm across so your baby can’t put the whole thing in her mouth.
If your baby is younger than six months old, choose a dummy that can go into the dishwasher or be boiled.
Check the labelling to make sure you have the right size for your baby’s age. Most dummies are labelled for babies either under or over six months.
Dummies come in different shapes. Experiment until you find one your baby prefers.
Using a dummy
To ensure that dummy-sucking doesn’t interfere with feeding, it’s best to offer it only when you can be sure your baby isn’t hungry, such as after or between feeds.
If you’re using a dummy, have spares on hand. Your baby is bound to drop the dummy somewhere without you noticing, then get upset when it’s needed.
Tying the dummy around your baby’s hand, neck or cot is dangerous. Your child could choke on the string or chain if it’s long enough to catch around your child’s neck.
Looking after the dummy
From about six months, your child will be more resistant to infections. This means you need only to wash the dummy with soap and water, rather than sterilising it. Just make sure to squeeze out any fluid that gets inside.
Check the dummy regularly to see if it’s worn or degraded. Babies can choke on any loose bits.
An alternative to dummy use is finger or thumb sucking. This is normal and common. An advantage over dummies is that babies can find their own fingers easily when they need them, but you can’t ban fingers when your child gets bigger. Luckily, most kids give up finger-sucking all by themselves.
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