It can be heartbreaking when babies are fussy and show signs of being uncomfortable. As a parent, you will do anything to make your child feel better. If cuddling and rocking your baby doesn’t help, a dummy might. This is true whether your baby is a week old, three months, or six months old. Not everyone wants to give their baby a dummy. But if you do, we have some helpful tips and ideas to help you introduce a dummy in a healthy and positive way.
When is the best time to give your baby a dummy?
You can give your baby a dummy as soon as he or she is born or as late as when he or she is three or six months old. There are even dummies for newborns that are made to fit their small mouths and protect their sensitive skin. If you are breastfeeding your newborn, you may want to wait to give them a dummy until they know how to latch on properly. Studies have shown that using a dummy while breastfeeding a healthy baby from birth or after lactation is established does not have a big effect on how often or how long the baby breastfeeds. With this in mind, it is best not to use the dummy right before feeding time and not to use the dummy as a way to put off feeding. Instead, when your baby shows signs that he or she is hungry, take advantage of feeding time to hold your child in your arms and enjoy the special bond you have with him or her.
No matter what schedule you choose, keep in mind that every baby is different and may react and adjust to this new thing in their life in a different way.
How do I get my baby to use a dummy?
Every baby has their own habits and likes, and giving a baby a dummy is the same. Follow these steps to help your baby get used to a dummy for the first time:
- Make sure to clean and sterilise the dummy well before giving it to your child.
- Hold the dummy in your hand and use the teat to gently touch your baby’s lips and cheeks. Let your baby feel the material of the dummy against their skin. This will help start the rooting reflex, which will make your baby turn his or her face toward the stimulus.
- Watch how your baby acts. If your baby opens their mouth, it means they want to find something to suckle on. Place the dummy gently on the lower lip or the front of the tongue and wait for the sucking reflex to start.
- If the first time goes well, your baby will eventually start to play with the dummy and nurse on it.
Of course, you should be gentle with your baby and not force him or her to take the dummy. If it looks like your baby doesn’t want the dummy at first, it’s usually because he or she just needs more time to explore and learn. Give your baby plenty of time to learn, try out new feelings and sensations, and get used to their dummy on their own terms. You’ll know when your baby starts to like sucking the dummy because they’ll have a happy look on their face and act calm.
Look Out For Signals
Your baby has different likes and dislikes, just like you do. You may even find that he or she doesn’t want a dummy. You can tell if your baby is ready for a dummy by carefully watching how they react when you give it to them. Most likely, your baby will also let you know.
Finding the dummy is a good way to learn. Your baby will learn a lot about this new thing by touching it and exploring it with their tongue, lips, and natural suckling instincts. Over time, they will probably come to like and recognise their dummy as a nice thing that lets them nurse, relax, and maybe even calm down.
If you need any help with feeding or introducing a dummy, always talk to your health visitor.
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