Choosing whether or not to give your baby a dummy is one of those early parenting decisions that often sparks a lot of debate. Dummies can be wonderful soothers for your little one and studies even suggest that using a dummy can lower the risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS).
There are also reasons why some parents choose to avoid dummies. Concerns about dependency, dental development, and weaning challenges later on can factor into the decision.
Like many aspects of parenting, it’s all about weighing the pros and cons and deciding what works best for your baby and your family’s needs.
If you’ve decided to use a dummy to offer your child some extra comfort and calm, here are some helpful tips for safe and effective use.
Why are dummies effective?
Babies are born with the natural instinct to suckle and a dummy can provide the natural calm and comfort that suckling provides in-between feeds. The sucking action can help calm babies, reduce crying, and make them feel secure.
What age is best to introduce a dummy?
Health For Under 5s advises that if you’re breastfeeding, it’s best to wait at least the first 6 weeks before offering your baby a dummy. This gives breastfeeding time to become well established and helps avoid confusing your little one while they’re still learning to latch properly.
Which type of dummy should I use?
The Lullaby Trust recommends using an orthodontic dummy, as these adapt to your baby’s mouth shape.
According to Colgate:
“A study published in BMC Pediatrics states that babies who suck on orthodontic pacifiers are less likely to have malocclusion (bite) issues. This may be partly due to the fact that non-orthodontic pacifiers require excessive use of the buccinator muscle, while orthodontic pacifiers do not. The study also found that infants who received an orthodontic pacifier before the age of 3 months were less likely to develop thumb-sucking habits or other poor oral health habits”.
When should I give my baby a dummy?
Your little one’s dummy should be used as a soother mainly during sleep and nap times, and it’s best to avoid using it when they’re awake. Some babies simply don’t like dummies and will spit them out. The Lullaby Trust advises not to force your baby to take a dummy if they don’t want it. If your baby spits the dummy out while sleeping, there’s no need to keep putting it back in.
How do I sterilise and maintain dummies?
To keep your baby’s dummy safe and clean, sterilise it before first use and regularly afterwards by boiling for 5 minutes (wait until it is cool before handing it back to your baby) or using a steam steriliser (always follow the dummy manufacturer’s cleaning advice).
Give your baby’s dummy a daily wash in hot, soapy water, and store it in a clean, dry container. Try not to clean a dropped dummy with your own mouth, as this can pass bacteria to your baby and increase the risk of infections. Always wash and sterilise dummies that have been on the floor, and check them regularly for wear and tear. Replace dummies straight away if damaged, or every 4–6 weeks.
What should I avoid when using dummies?
The NHS advises against dipping your little one’s dummy in anything sweet, such as sugar or jam, as this is believed to cause tooth decay. It’s also important to never use a dummy with a neck cord or any other attachment, as these have safety risks and could cause strangulation.
When should I wean my baby off a dummy?
The Lullaby Trust recommends gently phasing out dummy use between six and 12 months to help avoid issues linked to longer-term use, such as misaligned teeth or a higher risk of ear infections.
How do I wean my baby off a dummy?
There are lots of ways to help your little one wean off their dummy, and you’ll find the approach that works best for you both. You might try offering an alternative comforter, like a favourite blanket or cuddly toy. You can also start by limiting dummy use to bedtime only. Some parents make it fun by “sending” the dummy to Santa, the Easter Bunny, the Tooth Fairy, or the Dummy Fairy as a special farewell. Check out some more great tips from the NHS here.
Whatever you decide – whether you choose to use dummies, avoid them altogether, or start weaning your little one off them – we’re here to support you every step of the way. Just let your child’s key worker know your preference, and we’ll make sure to follow the same approach at Sandytots to help keep things consistent for your little one.
If you have any questions about dummy use at Sandytots, please feel free to chat with your child’s key worker – they’ll be happy to help and support you.
