Is it alright to give my baby a dummy?
Babies like to suck, so dummies can help soothe at bedtime or when your baby is tired or cross. However constant use can hinder the development of important language skills like babbling and can discourage older children from talking.
Keep in mind the following advice
- If you choose to use a dummy, wait until breastfeeding is well established (at up to about 4 weeks old).
- Stop giving a dummy to your baby to go to sleep between 6 and 12 months.
- Don’t force your baby to take a dummy or put it back in if your baby spits it out. Don’t use a neck cord.
- Don’t put anything sweet on the dummy, and don’t offer during awake time.
- Using an orthodontic dummy is best as it adapts to your baby’s mouth shape.
- If you choose to use a dummy make sure it is part of your baby’s regular sleep routine.
More information on this can be found on the National Literacy Trust Page