![]() ![]() But try not to go back and give them the dummy again. You can offer them a blanket or a teddy for comfort instead. Make it a big celebration or give your child a special reward.Įxpect there to be some protests. Once they are comfortable without the dummy, set a time and a date and then take the dummy away. This gives them a chance to get used to being without it. For example, only use it in the car or the cot. Then start cutting back on the times in the day when they have the dummy. Talk to your child about giving up the dummy. Don't try to do it when you or your child are stressed, or when other changes are happening in your child's life. When you're ready to stop or reduce your child's use of a dummy, make sure you choose the right time. Luckily, most kids give up finger-sucking all by themselves. 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. It can take 3 to 4 nights or longer for babies to learn how to replace the dummy by themselves.Īn alternative to dummy use is finger or thumb sucking. Every time you are putting the dummy back in, put your baby's hand on it and then guide it into their mouth.When you put your baby to bed, put their hand onto the dummy, then guide it into their mouth.Avoid using dummies when babies and toddlers are teething or have developed teeth as chewing may cause the teat to tear off and they could choke.įrom 8 months of age, most babies can learn to put their own dummy in.Never give children imitation flashing dummies as these can make them choke.Watch children who can remove dummies themselves as they're more likely to try to place an entire dummy into their mouth, not just the teat.Never attach dummies with a ribbon or cord as these could strangle your baby.Regularly buy new dummies as constant use and washing can make them weak.Sterilise dummies or wash them in hot soapy water then rinse and air dry.Store dummies away from direct sunlight, which can cause the rubber or silicone to wear out.If it looks worn or damaged, throw the dummy away. Every time you give the dummy to your baby, pull firmly on the teat and tug the handle and ring to ensure they don't give way under pressure.Choose a dummy that complies with Australian standard AS 2432:2015.It is very important to check the dummy regularly to see if it's worn or degraded, as babies can choke on any loose bits. Just make sure to squeeze out any fluid that gets inside. This means you need only to wash the dummy with soap and water, rather than sterilising it. Never put a dummy in your mouth (to ‘clean’ it) and never put any food or other substance (such as honey) on a dummy.įrom about 6 months, your child will be more resistant to infections. ![]() Keeping the dummy cleanĬlean and sterilise your baby’s dummies every day and keep them in their container when not in use. Your baby is bound to drop the dummy somewhere without you noticing, then get upset when it’s needed. Make sure you always have spares on hand. But don’t force them to take it, and don’t put it back in their mouth if it drops out while they’re asleep. Offer the dummy every time your baby goes to sleep. To ensure that dummy-sucking doesn’t interfere with feeding, it’s best to offer it only when you can be sure your baby isn’t hungry, such as after or between feeds. By 2 to 4 years, children should not be using dummies as this can affect their teeth. Start thinking about phasing out dummies at around 12 months. You can talk to a health professional such as your GP or child health nurse for advice. If your baby has a lot of ear infections, or if you’re having problems with breastfeeding, sore nipples or thrush, then the dummy might be the culprit.īut all babies are different. Dummies should not interfere with breastfeeding in older babies.īottle-fed babies can have a dummy from birth. If you decide to use a dummy, consider waiting until breastfeeding is well established, usually at around 4 to 6 weeks. There is a theory that introducing a dummy before breastfeeding is well established in newborns can interfere with breastfeeding because the baby needs to use a different sucking technique. The downsides of using a dummy are that it has the potential to interfere with breastfeeding and is associated with a higher risk of wheezing, ear and tummy infections, accidents and dental problems. They are also more likely to settle more easily. Deciding whether or not to use a dummyĮvidence shows that babies who use dummies have less risk of sudden infant death syndrome, although we don’t know why. If you’re deciding whether to use a dummy, there are some things to think about first. ![]() ![]() Sucking on a dummy, or pacifier, can soothe many babies. ![]()
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