dummy or thumb

[moonprayer]

Hi, I was a bit confused with the idea of dummy or thumb... My DS is now nearly 6mo and seems to be teething right now (but hasn't got any yet). Sometimes he likes to suck his thumb. Before yesterday, I was convinced that that's better than addicting to a dummy and just let it be. However, yesterday I met one of the childminders, who insist that sucking thumbs are very bad to the teeth (actually, will turn into bunny teeth) and insist using a dummy... I am so confused now as normally I read about people complaining about weaning a dummy... is it true that sucking thumbs are bad for teeth? Shall I use a dummy for that reason or not? Thanks in advance...

[extracrunchy]

Well... With dummies you can take them away at some point! Thumbs you can't so if he becomes a big sucker it's very hard to stop. Also you can get orthodontic dummies to minimise the effect on teeth. Thumb not so much!
But honestly if he doesn't do it long term neither is going to be a big problem.

[moonprayer]

My concerns are whether he is developing the addition to suck and I am not sure whether it's going to be a long term thing or not... but sounds like dummy is a better in that sense?

[extracrunchy]

Yes better in that sense. If he's going to suck he's going to suck - fingers or otherwise! But I'd maybe leave it for a bit and see if he really wants to suck his thumb often. They all go through shoving stuff in their mouths when teething, but doesn't necessarily equate with proper habitual thumb sucking.
Re childminder, whether she's right or not it's entirely your choice and she has no right to impose a dummy rule on your child.

[SilverViking]

I would say dummy is better, for the same reasons as extracrunchy. I know some thumb sucking older children, who find it do hard to stop (aged over 6). Even younger children on a dummy might only use it at certain times of the day.
All our children stopped their dummy around Christmas time.....because they left them out for Santa to give to the baby reindeer!! It would have been a bit more difficult to leave a thumb for Santa!

[extracrunchy]

Haha Silver that's brilliant!
Other positive thing about dummies is if they're only used at specific times of day - e.g. nap/bed - they can make very effective cues for good sleeping habits. Flip side is worries about dependence in order to sleep, but actually DS decided on his own he didn't need his dummy at night when he was about 17 months and I'm told that's not uncommon.

[Satnightdropout]

I used to always think the same, better if he sucks his thumb than use a dummy. But, now I prefer that he's on the dummy. At least I can limit the dummy to nap time and then remove it completely at a later date.
My mate used to duck her thumb a lot and her front teeth ar very gappy where they've been forced forward.
My partner and his daughter suck their thumbs. His daughter had a dummy until quite late but found her thumb afterwards so sometimes it doesn't matter. Luckily because they only do it when they're really engrossed in a tv show it hasn't affected their teeth at all. In fact they've got the straightest teeth possible.

[Breatheslowly]

As the mother of a thumb sucker I definitely think dummy is better. DD's teeth clearly show the signs of thumb sucking and we will struggle to stop her. I don't generally go in for regrets, but I do regret not trying to get DD to use a dummy.

[SpooMoo]

If his dummy falls out at night he might wake up wanting it put back in. Most babies can find their own thumb and put it back in. Me and my family were all thumb suckers and have had no orthodontic problems, it's not a given.

[FluffyDucky]

I think it depends on when he stops sucking his thumb, if that is what he chooses. I sucked my thumb until I was almost 16 (!), I am not buck toothed but there is a sizeable gap between top front teeth and bottom, my jaw doesn't fully align so I tend to get headaches where I grind.
I don't have any experience of dummies but if I had to choose I would go dummy. xx