Your Baby 0-2: ComfortersQ.What are the pros and cons of dummies?A.Babies do like to suck. During their first year they are going through what Sigmund Freud called the 'oral stage' of development. This stage helps babies to survive their first few months of life. Some babies like to suck more than others and need to suck in between feeds. Personally, I myself have never had a problem with dummies. I understand that some babies can become really fractious if they need to comfort suck and I always feel that you should be enjoying your baby, so if they need a dummy, then so what. The problem with dummies occurs if the baby has one for too long, in which case it can affect the normal growth of the jaw and, eventually, affect speech. There has been some research from New Zealand that suggests dummies can help prevent cot death, because they keep the baby's tongue forward in the mouth. I'm not sure that I am convinced about that, but they can help to make life peaceful! I always suggest that if a baby needs a dummy, then give them one, but only give it when necessary and take it away at around six months of age. Babies have no long-term memory before this age and will quickly forget that they have ever had a dummy. It works every time. I suppose my answer to your question is try not to get too hung up about dummies. You will find it difficult to keep any strong convictions with a child. Every child is an individual and you will need to go with the flow. If you start with strong ideas of what you will allow and then have to give in, you will feel as though you have failed in some way. Keep an open mind. |
