Dummies: advantages, disadvantages and tips for use

Dummies: advantages and disadvantages

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

Also, when babies have dummies for every sleep, dummies might reduce the risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS).

But not all babies like dummies. And there are other disadvantages to dummies:

• If dummies are introduced in the first 4-6 weeks of life, their use might interfere with breastfeeding, milk supply and baby weight gain.
• Dummy use is linked to higher rates of middle ear infections in babies over 10 months.
• Dummy use, especially beyond 4-5 years of age, increases the chance of dental problems later in childhood – for example, the problem of a child’s teeth growing out of line.
• If babies aren’t old enough to find their dummies and put them back in during the night, they’ll cry for help.
• Babies and toddlers can end up needing their dummies to get to sleep.
• Babies and toddlers can get very upset when dummies are lost or misplaced.
• Dummies can affect communication because babies and toddlers have to take them out to speak.

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. Our article on letting go of the dummy has tips for weaning your baby off the dummy when you’re both ready.

Choosing dummies

Dummies come in different shapes. The best way to find one that’s right for your baby is to experiment. But make sure the dummy you choose complies with Australian Standard AS 2432:2015. You can get the details of AS 2432:2015 at Product Safety Australia – Baby dummies and dummy chains.

Here are tips to help you choose a dummy for your baby:

• Look for a one-piece model with a soft nipple. Dummies made in 2 pieces can break apart and become choking hazards.
• Check you can easily grip the dummy’s ring or handle so you can pull it out quickly if it becomes lodged in your baby’s mouth.
• Look for a firm shield with at least 2 air holes. Check the shield is more than 3.5 cm across so your baby can’t put the whole thing in their mouth.
• Check that there are no gaps or holes that will allow fluid into the teat during washing.
• If your baby is younger than 6 months old, choose a dummy that can be safely sterilised without damage to the dummy.
• Check the labelling to make sure you have the right size for your baby’s age. Most dummies are labelled for babies under or over 6 months.
• If you’re bottle-feeding, consider choosing a dummy from the same brand as the bottle. The teats are often the same.

Introducing dummies

If you’re breastfeeding, it’s best to introduce the dummy after breastfeeding is established – around 4-6 weeks.

If you’re bottle-feeding, you can offer a dummy from birth.

Using dummies

Here are practical tips for everyday dummy use:

• If you’re breastfeeding, offer the dummy only when you can be sure your baby isn’t hungry – for example, after or between feeds. This helps to ensure that dummy-sucking doesn’t interfere with breastfeeding.
• Check the dummy regularly to see whether it’s worn or degraded. Replace the dummy if it’s broken or worn. Babies can choke on any loose bits.
• Keep spare dummies handy. Your baby is sure to drop the dummy somewhere without you noticing, and then get upset when they want it again.
• Don’t dip the dummy in sweet drinks or sweet food like jam or syrup. This can cause tooth decay.
• Considering teaching dummy independence when your baby is 8 months or older. This can help if your baby loses their dummy during sleep.
• If your child has oral thrush, discard their dummy and replace it with a new one each week. Even when dummies are carefully cleaned, they can retain fungal infections like oral thrush.

Dummy chains attach dummies to baby clothing. If you want to use a dummy chain, check that it meets Australian Standard AS 2432:2015. And make sure it’s less than 22 cm long, can’t tear or break, and has no parts that can fall off, like beads or decorations. Don’t use a homemade tie or chain to attach the dummy to your baby’s hand, neck or cot. This can help you avoid choking risks and strangulation risks for your baby.

Looking after dummies

Babies under 6 months should use dummies that have been sterilised. There are several ways to sterilise bottle-feeding equipment, which you can also use to sterilise dummies.

From about 6 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.

A common alternative to dummy use is sucking fingers or thumbs. On the upside, babies can find their own fingers easily when they need them. On the downside, you can’t ban fingers when your child gets bigger. Luckily, most children give up finger-sucking by themselves.