There are mixed messages about the use of dummies. For such a seemingly small object, they create all manner of debate. Parents and childcare practitioners often ask me about using dummies for babies and toddlers and when it’s best to break the habit. I spoke with several early years professionals before writing this article.
They all agreed that dummies do have a place if they are used properly. So, as well as discussing whether using a dummy is a good or bad idea, we possibly need to consider the question of when and how long they are used for.
WORKING IN PARTNERSHIP WITH PARENTS
If parents decide to introduce a dummy to their baby then that is the right decision for them. It’s a decision that parents make long before they choose their childcare setting. We may all have our own personal opinions about dummies, but in our professional role, should it be the information and support for parents and carers about how dummies are used that matters?
Working in partnership with parents is a fundamental part of early years practice. The United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC) places a responsibility on all adults to ensure that children have the right to learn, grow, play, develop and reach their full potential. Parents are the most important people in their children’s lives; however, we need to remember that babies do not come with an instruction manual and parents often appreciate practical information and support. Hopefully they will feel confident to seek our support when they need it, but many parents feel embarrassed to ask questions. Providing proactive, age- and stage-appropriate information is useful, and this could include the use of dummies with top tips about when and how to wean children off them. It is important to provide a balanced view in a non-judgemental way, so let’s explore some of the pros and cons of using dummies.
THE PROS
The choice to introduce a dummy to a baby could be made for various reasons. The sucking reflex is one of the basic reflexes which usually starts in the womb. Paediatricians may suggest introducing a dummy, as they are sometimes used to help babies learn to suck, particularly when they are born prematurely. The sucking reflex may also be relaxing for colicky or windy babies. A dummy can also be useful to help soothe and to settle babies to sleep.
The Lullaby Trust suggests that it is possible that using a dummy when putting a baby down to sleep could reduce the risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). It is not clear why. Theories around this include babies who use dummies might be more still while sleeping and less likely to roll onto their tummies, and a dummy may help to keep their tongue forward.
Theresa Ewin is the owner/manager of Play Days Childcare. She says she prefers the use of a dummy to the alternative of children sucking their thumb. Claire McGuire from Claire’s House agrees with this. She adds that in time you can support children’s emotional wellbeing and build alternative self-regulation techniques and take dummies away; if a child uses their thumb for comfort, this is a harder habit to break as obviously thumbs can’t be taken away!
Another word for a dummy is a pacifier – if you look up the phrase ‘to pacify’, you will find meanings such as to quell anger or agitation, to soothe or calm. If you look up ‘pacifiers for babies’, you will find images of dummies. As I have mentioned, dummies can be useful to settle crying babies. Consequently, they could also be a coping mechanism for parents, but once the child is settled, the dummy can be removed. Over time we can support children to self-soothe in other ways.
It is the overuse and prolonged use of dummies that may become problematic.
THE CONS
Introducing a dummy from birth can hamper breastfeeding. Parents are advised to wait a month before introducing a dummy so that breast feeding is established.
Dummies can harbour germs which may increase the possibility of infection. I often see dummies clipped to children’s clothing and consequently trailing on the floor as they crawl around. Parents and carers also often have spare dummies in their coat pocket, bag or pram compartments which are not covered, or in a container, so the dummies may not be clean/sterile.
Speech and language therapists highlight that prolonged or overuse of dummies may lead to poor speech, language and communication skills. Babies who use dummies when they are awake are less likely to coo and babble as the dummy prevents them from exploring their mouths with their tongues. Cooing and babbling are part of socialisation as well as steps to babies’ first words. If dummies are used during the daytime, they can go on to affect speech sounds. Try talking with a lolly in your mouth!
Prolonged use of dummies and bottles also leads to babies using the suckling reflex and related muscles for too long, which can contribute to middle ear infections and other hearing issues.
Dentists also see the results of extended use of dummies as they can adversely affect the way teeth grow. You may see this in various ways, such as an overbite, malocclusion (where the top and bottom teeth do not align), cross bite or an open bite. Using an orthodontic (or flat) dummy may be an option as they adapt to the shape of a baby’s mouth, but again it is the careful and considered use that is important, and having a plan to wean children off using them.
WHEN TO DITCH THE DUMMY
The NHS suggest stopping giving babies a dummy between six and 12 months old. The easiest time to break the habit is between six and seven months, before they become more reliant on it. Claire points out that if children become dependent on dummies they can demand them more often.
Aiming to move from a bottle to a cup at about six months old and to wean babies off their dummies by their first birthday promotes speech, language and communication, helps reduce ear infections and supports oral health.
Theresa acknowledges the importance of meeting babies’ individual needs when they are settling into a childcare setting, needing comfort or settling to sleep. She also recognises the damage that dummies can do to teeth and the impact on speech development if used too often. Theresa also points out how tricky the day can be for staff, babies and children if parents forget to bring dummies!
Claire says using dummies can be beneficial as they can provide comfort and consistency for children if parents and childcare settings use them in an agreed way.
The childcare professionals I spoke to all mentioned the importance of working in partnership with parents, respecting parents’ choices and sharing information about the appropriate use of dummies.
Top tips from childcare providers
Claire acknowledges the importance of not mixing the dummies up and that the storage of dummies and keeping them as clean as possible takes vigilance, time and effort. At Claire’s House, parents are asked to bring two dummies in a named container; dummies are sent home to be sterilised, but there is a steriliser at the setting if needed.
At Play Days Childcare, most dummies go home daily, but if kept on site they are washed and stored individually in small food pots (available at most superstores/bargain shops).
Broadway Nurseries uses named individual containers to store dummies when not in use which are steam-sterilised daily along with dummies that are dropped. Deborah Cobb is the manager at Broadway Nurseries where they use information from the Every Child a Talker (ECAT) project. They share a leaflet called ‘dummies, good or bad’ with parents on settling visits. The leaflet was written for the ECAT project and helps them to explain how they support the use of dummies in nursery. It also highlights how overusing dummies can have a negative effect on children’s speech, language and the development of their teeth.
Play Days Childcare also provides parents with information, when they first start their childcare journey with them at pre-visits, about using dummies and also how and when to help children to give up their dummies.
Claire talks to parents about the importance of play and no dummies, advocating that children are given their dummy solely for nap times; once they are awake and ready to play, they hand the dummy back to be put away.
She uses the progress check at age 2 as a good time to speak to parents about reducing and giving up dummies if the children are still using them at this time.
Sue Asquith is a consultant whose work includes writing and delivering training, consultancy visits and keynote speeches.
FURTHER INFORMATION
- The NHS on dummies and SIDS: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/baby/caring-for-a-newborn/reduce-the-risk-of-sudden-infant-death-syndrome
- The Lullaby Trust: https://www.lullabytrust.org.uk/safer-sleep-advice/dummies-and-sids