Dummies

I have to admit that lots of lovely photos of my grandchildren have been spoiled by a huge dummy!
My own children were born in the late 70s/early 80s. All 3 of them had dummies - my health visitor said it was easier to stop them sucking a dummy than a thumb. But they never wanted their dummies when they were out in prams or buggies, there were other things to interest them. But I weaned all of them off their dummies at about 18 months to 2 years. My Mum once told me that when I was a baby in the 50s she dipped my dummy in gripe water or honey (and even brandy sometimes) to get me to sleep at night because we lived in a flat where children were not allowed and she couldn't risk me disturbing the neighbours. That probably explains why I've had so much trouble with my teeth all my life!
But I think all Mums should decide what works best for them and their baby, they are the one that have to listen to the ear splitting howling after all!

Can't understand why kids need dummies. I'm sure they are more for the parents than the children! OH used to say if babies are making a noise they're trying to tell you something, so why would you want to shut them up.

Two of my four children sucked their thumbs and neither had a tooth problem. I hated dummies as I had a friend whose child had it plugged in all the time until he was 4. Then she realised her error as his speech was so behind the others at school and he talked as if he still had the dummy in, making words that no-one could understand!
Used wisely I can see it would help comfort at bedtime, but not all day, as I so often see.

I’m amazed that so many gransnet feel so strongly about this that they “can’t stand to see it”! Really? You don’t know the health or circumstances of other people’s children. A dummy is harmless (and even protective when sleeping) comfort for babies and toddlers. Also, other people’s opinions that they are fine wherever, are just as valid as yours!

One of my daughters had a dummy until she went to school - in fact i would pick her up in the car and she would pop it in her mouth and suck vigorously - she gave it up eventually - i think we "lost"it - she has perfect teeth, a 2:1 History degree, is a successful entrepreneur, has three children - all who have had dummies!! I rest my case

My granddaughter's back teeth are coming through. Have never wanted to give a child a dummy in my whole life until this morning! Chewing on something seems to give a little relief.
PS Why did latest 'celeb baby' have a portrait with a dummy?

I'd sooner my babies had dummies than sucked their thumbs as the former can be removed but to do so with the latter would be considered cruelty. My daughter had hers forcibly removed by my dear mother when she was 18 months old and I don't think she ever got over it. My first son wasn't really a big user of the dummy and gave it up without me having to do anything; he just stopped using it. My second son was given a dummy but never really took to it. He started sucking his thumb when he was tiny and it took until he was about 11 before he broke the habit which was a relief as my brother still sucked his at 16 and beyond. Now my DGS is over 2, I take his off him when he comes through the door and he only has it when he goes for his nap. The rest of the day he doesn't need it but would use it if you let him which unfortunately, his mother is inclined to let him. I'm not judgemental about people using them but think it is better to limit use when they get to talking age so their progress isn't hindered.

One of my friends was a fighter pilot and his biggest fear was his thumb sucking, he was well into his 70's when I knew him, no buck teeth or other impediments from decades of it.

He was worried about hospital admissions though because he didn't want people to know.

Although I don't like seeing babies or young children with dummies whilst they are not tired or fractious. They are so much easier to get rid of than thumbs. My oldest daughter was a thumb sucker and it was very difficult to get het to stop, eventually it was a dentist who told her when she about 5/6 if she carried on her teeth would stick out and she would probably need braces on them. (braces then were just wires on teeth ). She stopped there and then.

Not really anything to get excited about!!

One of mine had a dummy but the other didn't, depends on the child I think. Both have grown to be confident articulate women. I can't see a problem either way.

One of the many scenarios in life whereby I think to myself “each to their own”

Hattiehelga yes indeed, I posted that upthread plus the link to the Lullaby Trust’s information page. The Lullaby Trust used to be called the Foundation for the Study of Infant Deaths. Research does indeed suggest that giving a dummy reduces the incidence of cot deaths.

The link I provided also confirms paddyann’s experience that dummies are recommended for prem babies and those who have difficultly developing their sucking reflex.

These two factors might well be linked.

I don't know about dummies but I drank my milk out of a bottle with a dummy until I was 10. I refused to drink milk without it. My mother to try to break the habit made me buy my own dummies in boots. I told her I would give up the baby bottle when I went to grammar school; and I did!

I was very anti-dummy - until I had no. 2. She had classic 3 months colic - screamed from 6-10 every night, and a dummy - resorted to in desperation - was the only thing that seemed to give her any relief.

She didn't give it (and her bit of blanky) up entirely until she was 6. Her teeth were always perfect. I'd never have dreamt of putting any sort of syrup on it though!

Dd1, OTOH, found her thumb very early on and didn't give that up entirely until after she'd passed her driving test! And yes, her teeth were slightly affected.

After my experience with dd2, I'd never be judgemental about dummies. If they're a comfort and help them get to sleep easily, what the hell. Dd2 would happily go to sleep anywhere if she had her dummy and blanky.

Dd1 has 2 little ones who've been exhausting little devils for getting off to sleep. If dummies would have helped she wouldn't have thought twice, but they never would take them.
You don't see children going to school with dummies in their mouths, which is more than you can say for thumbs.

Having myself been a baby whose parents were against dummies and developed a thumb sucking addiction which ruined my front teeth and I was still struggling to give up when I reached my teens, I now strongly advise parents to provide a dummy to any baby who starts trying to suck their own hands for comfort (not all babies need to suck for comfort but some do for whatever reason). At least with a dummy it can be taken away once the child is at a certain age. Thumbs are much harder, as they are always available.

I did not use dummies for my two and my daughter didn't for hers. I thought it was a shame when Dil used one but said nothing. However, I learned that at that time there was a theory that dummies could be a factor in reducing cot death. My view changed very quickly whether true or not.

I would have given my DS almost anything if it meant I got a few hours sleep, tried dummies several times but they were just spat out. I think if a child has fallen asleep with dummy in mouth why risk waking them by taking it out?
Each to their own.

Totally agree with the photos with the dummy in the mouth take it out when you grab the camera

mine only had a dummy if they were having difficulty getting to sleep, once they dropped off out it came. never walked or sat around with one. have seen children atching the tv with a dummy in their moutth, why?

I not only wonder why so many children who are obviously no longer babies not only have dummies/pacifiers but are also being trundled around in babybuggies although it's too obvious that they are much too old and big!

It beggars belief, IMHO.

My son sucked his thumb so when daughter was born I happily gave her a dummy so much easier to lose, it lived in her cot.

majorcagirl I cant speak for all who leave dummies half covering tiny babies faces..but I absolutely did and made sure it was put back in place if it slipped out.As I said before it helped keep my tiny baby's airways open AND helped him develop the sucking refllex he was born without ..at a year old he weighed under 15 pounds so anything that taught him how to suck and feed was welcome..There are many babies boorn early who survived because of their dummies .

My mum didn't believe in dummies, but one of my sisters proved hard to get off the bottle (and as there was another baby around, feeding bottles couldn't just "disappear" or be given to the fairies). My folks were increasingly desperate when time came for the bottle-wielding sister to start school, but my grandparents had saved like mad and took us children for a week to Butlins holiday camp at Ayr on a special train that took many hours from Aberdeen.... so we all knew it was far from home. We "forgot" to take the bottle with us and the problem was solved without a single tear or tantrum. My sister did manage to get lost one day and we spotted her travelling high up in the chairlift on her own, waving cheerfully down at my distraught grandparents and other searchers....but my main unsisterly thought was that at least there wasn't a large baby's bottle hanging from her lips with all those people staring up at her. I was easily embarrassed at 7.

Ha ha Miss Adventure! I agree about children being ‘corked’! But the dummies which have moustaches on them I think are hilarious