Toddler Health - Dummies
Dummies are a great comforter for a unsettled baby. They can soothe the most unhappy little one. Babies instinctively want to suck as this a natural reflex, which can mean that they can use the bottle or breast for comfort rather than feeding. In this instance a dummy is a good replacement. The Foundation for Sudden Infant Deaths has found that using a dummy lowers the risk of cot death. They also mean your baby is less likely to suck their thumb (which is harder to limit and give up).
Limiting the use of the dummy
The dummy should really only be used when your baby is in need of comfort or sleep. If your baby is crying then it is important to establish the cause of their upset before just giving them a dummy.
Ideally babies should be weaned off their dummies at around 12 months, as it will be easier to remove the dummy at this age and it will avoid the dummy causing speech problems or delaying speech.
Giving up the dummy
This probably fills most parents with dread, but really after a few unsettled days your child should be fine. Decide how you are going to do this.
- You could either reduce the amount of time with the dummy to sleep/bedtime.
- Or you could remove it all together.
- Whichever option you choose, do it at a stress free time and have as much support around you as possible.
- Be firm, explain to your tot that the dummy is going in the bin, get rid of them all and replace the dummy with a present.
- Praise your child and remind them what a big boy/girl they are.
- Stay calm, remember this phase will pass.
- A great book to read with your child is “The Last Noo Noo” by Jill Murphy. This is a story abut Marlon the monster giving up his dummy.
