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dummies? Good or bad idea?
I wasnt going to use one for my LO but at 3 months old and BF, he still would not take a bottle with my milk in and i hoped learning to suck on a dummy would teach him how to do this. To start with he pushed it out with his tongue the same way he does with a bottle but all of a sudden it clicked and now he loves his dummy. Im trying not to use it as a magic solution for everything - but when he needs feeding whilst out and about and i need to find somewhere its a godsend for buying time. Ive also used it for last thing at night when hes over tired to help him drop off. My LO has been sleeping through for a couple of weeks but had been going 12 hours in the day without sleeping at all. I therefore used his dummy to get him off for an hour or so in the day. This all conincided with him repeatedly waking at night and making noises (not crying, just shouting!) i put the dummy in and he drops off again. In the morning im not sure how often/when ive done it as i barely wake up - however, prior to the dummy he never did this!
I dont know if its the daytime nap making him not sleepy enough at night or that he has already got reliant on a dummy for settleing? Should i brave it and take it off him? x
I dont know if its the daytime nap making him not sleepy enough at night or that he has already got reliant on a dummy for settleing? Should i brave it and take it off him? x
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Replies
Zxx
I think we all try so hard to be perfect parents, following all the right guidelines, doing everything right - but they are little people in a big confusing world and its fair enough they need some comfort. x
I don't put it in if he's happy to settle himself or if he's a happy chap.
I generally follow his lead on most things and think he'll just become less bothered with it in time x
the research is great for shuting up nosy old busybodies spouting nonsence about them being dirty! oh you mean you didnt know about this research?
Personally we tried a dummy when LO was a few weeks old as it was suggested to help with reflux however he refused. We then found ourselves at around 8 weeks or so with a situation where LO would fight sleep for hours eventually going to sleep around midnight to 1am having been repeatedly fed for comfort, he was knackered as were we & he would be exhausted next day. So one night we tried the dummy and he was asleep by 9pm. Since then he can barely get past 6.30pm (although currently experienced some disruption which may be due to teething) without being exhausted. We aim not to give him the dummy & if he settles without then great, but if he doesn't we give it to him. We hope to wean him off it by 6 months but accept this is easier said thn done.
I think it's very individual & down to what suits & works for you
Good luck
Linds x
There is nothing wrong with a baby using a dummy to settle. I personally hate seeing a toddler with one but that's just me.
H xx
DD is 16 months and has had a dummy for quite a while. She only has it for sleep times or if she's poorly and I have to say its been a god send. She has learnt to self settle amazingly and sleeps so well, weaned off bottles no probs at 12 months but she loves her dummy. I will let her give it to the dummy fairy when she is able to understand. She did suck her thumb for a time but seeing what that did to my mums thumb (she has one noticeably shorter than the other)I'd prefer the dummy which I can get rid of.
In the night he makes this really cute blissed out noise when the dummy goes in, as if he's instantly off to the land of nod... i think we all just love our LOs and want them to be happy xx