Dummies are, in many ways, a controversial topic. For some parents, they bring comfort and relief to their crying babies, yet to others, they are a habit they regret starting. But are dummies helpful? Do they really prevent sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS)? Will it be hard to take it away from the baby once they are old enough to stop using one?
Why Do Parents Use Dummies?
Dummies, are used mostly to calm the baby if they are crying or struggling to sleep. Kids are born with a strong sucking reflex which is why they often suck their thumbs and clothes.
Dummies are often a lifesaver (for both parent and child!) during the first few months of a child’s life. This is more so for babies who have colic or gas. They are also incredibly effective at calming babies and soothing them to sleep. You can also use them at other times, such as when you need to distract a child during a vaccination shot or calm them down that night.
Are Dummies Good for Your Child?
Dummies, in themselves, are not good or bad, the problem is how you use them. Ideally, you should only use a dummy when your baby needs to sleep or calm them down when crying if other methods are not working. Paediatrics everywhere agree that putting a dummy in the child's mouth all day is not a great idea.
They also agree that you should try and not use a dummy beyond 12 months. If you can, try to wean the child off the device before they are six months old. The more a child gets used to the dummy as a soothing companion, the harder it will be once you take it away.
One aspect many people disagree on is that a dummy will stop a child from learning how to self-soothe. To explain this reasoning better, let’s start with the downside of using dummies before delving into the benefits.
Disadvantages of Using Dummies
Dummy Dependency
There is a valid fear among parents that if a child relies on a dummy to fall asleep, they will never learn to self soothe. This might be okay since all you need to do is put a dummy in their mouth for them to sleep, but what happens when they wake up at night and the dummy has fallen out of their mouth? What happens if you are away from home and don't have a dummy with you?
To make matters worse, the child can become so dependent on the dummy that they can't function with it. You will find that this child needs to suck on something all day, or they start crying and throwing tantrums. It will also be incredibly difficult to wean this child from the dummy when it's time.
Dummies increase the rate of middle ear infection
Baby's ear canals are at risk of infection because sucking opens up the ear passage. These devices also carry bacteria if not cleaned properly, and they can introduce infections to a child's body.
Dummies cause speech and dental issues
Several studies show that dummies affect the way teeth grow if used for long. This is one of the reasons you should wean your child off the device when they start growing teeth, around 4-5 months old. Some of the dental issues experienced by kids using dummies include crossbite, malocclusion, and overbite.
As for speech issues, some research shows that putting a dummy in a child's mouth can also prevent them from exploring sounds and expressing themselves. When children over six months old try to speak, they push the dummy to the side of the mouth, which will lead to difficulty with tongue development where talking is concerned.
However, recent research from the University of Sydney questions this theory. According to them, speech issues have more to do with phonological impairment than sucking dummies or thumbs.
Benefits of Using Dummies
Besides soothing and calming your child down, using a dummy comes with benefits that most people might not know. For example, a study published in the British Medical Journal shows that dummies reduce the risk of SIDS. Doctors have, however, criticized this study, stating that the conclusion was too absolute.
Even though the UK Department of Health does not recommend dummies as a solution to SIDS, several other organizations list it as one of the ways you can help prevent it. This is because kids who sleep with a dummy in their mouth are very calm sleepers who are less likely to kick their blankets to their faces. They are also less likely to turn and sleep on the stomach, not to mention sucking a dummy allows the baby's mouth to stay slightly open.
Dummies also help ease the discomfort of ear pressure build-up during flights. Since kids can't intentionally pop their ears by yawning or swallowing, the only thing that seems to help is a dummy. It also acts as a calming mechanism because some kids don't like flights.
When To Give Your Baby a Dummy
Another point of contention concerning dummies is that they can confuse a baby and affect their relationship with breastfeeding. This is true if you start the baby on one too early. The rule of thumb is to wait four to six weeks until the baby has mastered the art of breastfeeding or taking milk from the bottle.
In addition to that, only use a dummy sparingly. You want the child to learn self-soothing techniques so they can transition themselves back to the second sleep cycle when startled. Only use a dummy if the baby is crying and needs some calming down or soothing. Otherwise, other sleep cues like feeding, bathing, and a massage before bed should do the trick.
When To Take Away the Dummy
Once the baby is four months old, start thinking of ways to take away the dummy from them. While most people claim it's okay for the child to use a dummy up to 12 months, you don't want to wait that long to take it away if you can avoid it. The NHS suggests that you start to remove the dummy between 6-12 months. The earlier you can do it, the better because you will have less resistance and fewer dummy-related issues.
That said, if your child loves their dummy, it will still be a battle when you take it away. Here are some tips to ease that gruelling process:
Pick a quiet, easy weekend where a few sleepless nights won't matter that much. The timing should also be right for your baby. They should be in good health, happy, and well-fed. Don't pick a time when they are going through a change, such as teething to take the dummy away;
Replace the dummy with something else. You can get a sleep companion like a teddy bear or a special blanket to cuddle with during sleep;
Be Firm. Your child will wail and throw a tantrum to get their dummy back. You will be tired of hearing them cry, and your sanity will be tested, try to keep your cool and stay on course.
Dummy Use Guidelines
If you choose to give your little one a dummy, then:
Choose a one-piece dummy because a two-piece can detach and become a choking hazard;
Frequently steralize the dummy to kill bacteria;
Have several dummies with you because they fall off the child’s mouth a lot;
Do not sugar-coat the dummy or put any sweet substance on it. This will ruin the child’s teeth and create an unhealthy attachment;
Inspect the dummy often to ensure it's still in good condition, and there are no signs of deterioration or bites;
Never attach a dummy to a string that can get caught up in a child’s neck.
Final Thoughts
The decision to use a dummy or not lies in your needs as a parent. Some kids are born calm, and they don't cry a lot during their infancy or have trouble falling asleep. If you are blessed to have such a child, a dummy is not required. If, on the other hand, you have a colicky or fussy baby who cries the house down, a dummy can be a lifesaver as long as it's used the right way.
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