Dummies: pros and cons

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Advantages of dummies

Sucking seems to have a soothing and settling effect on babies. Sucking a dummy helps some babies settle.

There is no evidence that dummies cause serious health or developmental problems in infants. Dentists tend to be concerned about dummy use only when a child’s adult teeth are coming through.

Dummy facts and fallacies

Early weaning
There is an association between dummy use and early weaning. But there is increasing evidence that dummies do not cause nipple confusion in breastfed babies and are not the cause of early weaning of babies. It seems more likely that mothers who are experiencing difficulties with breastfeeding use dummies as a weaning tool.

SIDS
Some studies have reported a link between the use of dummies and a lowered risk for SIDS. But the reason for such a link is unknown, and not all researchers believe that the research is conclusive.

Earache
There is a debate among researchers about whether dummy use is associated with a higher incidence of middle ear infections. As yet, the evidence is not strong enough to recommend that parents do not use dummies for this reason alone.

Disadvantages of dummies

There are downsides to dummies:

• Not all babies will 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 will 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.

The alternative: finger-sucking

Sucking the thumb or fingers 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, and some parents prefer the idea of giving up a dummy to the prospect of a finger-sucking habit developing. Luckily, most kids give up finger-sucking all by themselves.

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. 
• If your baby is younger than six months, 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.
• 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.

Using a dummy

To ensure that dummy-sucking does not interfere with feeding, it’s best to offer it only when you can be sure your baby is not hungry, such as after or between feeds.

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.

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