Dummy or no dummy?

[Empress]

What's the current opinion on using a dummy? When I had my babies I thought they weren't good for them, so we never used them. Has that changed now? Are they in or out of fashion?

[WideWebWitch]

I like to use this one

[weesaidie]

lol.

Dummys are terrible evil things. I have loads.

[biglips]

"in or our of fashion" ???? thats new!

mine is 11 months old and never had a dummy as i used to try and give her one when she was a newborn and for a whole week in hossy i tried to keep it on her mouth but she kept on spitting it out, so once we came home a week later,i stopped giving her the dummy..... ive never had a dummy either

[biglips]

sorry - "in or out of fashion"!!

[Steppy1]

we never considered using one for our DS who was such a contented happy little sole who used to feed then sleep for 4 hrs, 4 then sleep for 4 hrs....Our DD on the other hand would feed, puke up, feed puke up, etc etc so it was my mum that suggested a dummy when she was 6 wks old (my nipples was veeery sore by that stage) it made a huge differrence for me as she then started feeding much better...it seemd as if she just wanted to "suck" for comfort and wasn't actually hungry...now she's 2 and a half though, I hate them....trying to get her off it is veeeery difficult.....

[staceym11]

when babies are little sucking can be for comfort which makes dummies usefull, but after the tiny stage its habit, my dd has always used a dummy (from about 3weeks) and now 10mth she still does but only in bed, or on a very long (or a bedtime) car journey, i personally cant stand to see a 3/4yr old wandering round with a dum in their mouth so weaning them off early is good but at tiny stage they are a lifesaver!

[SleepySuzy]

We didn't need a dummy for ages, until one day, when on one of the regular visits to dp in hospital, she screamed and screamed on the way home. I had an emergency one in my bag for a last resort - now I wish we didn't have to use them, but she will only have the Mam ones.

[MoodyCow]

My DS was not going to have a dummy. Let me tell you how long that lasted - 4 days! Now he's 2.5 and we're weaning him off (yes - we've left it very late) and he rarely has one except for sleeping. I don't think there's any harm in them though.

[beetle73]

I didn't like them and still don't Even worse, there's a sort of anti-dummy vibe in my family. However, we started using one around 6 months, and it has been a lifesaver because we go out for dinner a lot and travel a lot on trains and planes with her (14months). It really helps at those times. I'm trying very hard to restrict it to those occasions and to lying down in bed. Absolutely not allowed when wandering around the flat. Also trying to avoid making it a cutesy friend, by never calling it dum-dums etc. Any advice on weaning off it gratefully accepted.

[SleepySuzy]

Me too, Beetle.

[spidermama]

I don't like 'em. I think they're aptly named. I've never used them and never will.
I'm aware that I may have just lost any remaining mumsnet allies I had (if indeed there were any left).

[SleepySuzy]

No, I agree, Spidermama, and I wish I hadn't started, but was going through a very rough time, with dp in hospital.

[weesaidie]

Ha ha spidermama I know what you mean but they really helped me. You sound like Dr Christopher Green in Toddler Taming.

However I don't really mind them. They have helped me and I try to restrict it. Also going to start weaning her off when she goes to nursery, fingers crossed.

[weesaidie]

That is in two weeks by the way!

[SleepySuzy]

Have you any plans, wee, on how you're going to do it?

[spidermama]

I've got a PHD in making a rod for my own back.

[SleepySuzy]

I'm on that course, spidey!

[magnolia1]

3 of mine had dummies and gave then up voluntarily at age 2.5. We put it in the dustbin and watched the dustmen come and take it away and that was it. Worked for my eldest and my twins. Talked to them about it about a week before and every day building up to rubbish collection day and on that morning we did it

My youngest was 7 weeks prem and the neonatal staff kept trying a dummy but of course she was barely sucking at 1st so they gave up (she was a real screamer!!!) I never tried and she never neede one. She was the only one who breastfed past 3 months and so had my boob for comfort instead

[weesaidie]

Not really, I did hear someone say once that it was a good idea to just take it off them during the day (cold turkey) and let them have it at night if it helps them sleep. Then take it away at night once they are used to not having it daytime. I think it will mean a rough couple of weeks (at least!) whatever happens!

[beetle73]

I agree too Spidermama. I don't want my DD walking about with it and looking bovine. To those who've been through it - is it better to go cold turkey when they're still youngish, or wait until they can be reasoned with?

[SleepySuzy]

Well, at the moment, we only really let her have it at nap times, and if she is poorly. At nursery she is only allowed it for sleep.

[weesaidie]

I really am thinking cold turkey for me very soon (18 months).

Maybe I'll start on a weekend when she is at her dads! [evil laugh]

[weesaidie]

I don't want to wait because it annoys me more as she gets older. I didn't mind so much as a baby but now she is walking around I am really trying to stop it.

[SleepySuzy]

Nice one! PMSL!

[weesaidie]

Oops, when I said 18 months that is how old she will be when the dummy goes.