Dummy?? People suggesting to use one

[Lipsmacker01]

Ive been having lots of settling issues with DD1 who is nearly 8 months old.

I know mother knows best and I want to remain as confident as I possibly can in my child rearing even though Im no expert....


But why is it that my MIL always brings up the DUMMY topic and says have you tried a dummy?

I dont want to use a dummy and its my choice what I use or not use. I guess she does mean well but I personally dont like them. I know they work for a lot of babies but my girl is 8 months now and I dont want to see myself trying to wean her off her dummy when shes like 3 years old!

Ive already explained to her...and nicely too why I dont want to use one. I stand my ground and she doesnt get offended but she seems to keep insisting that it could work and that its worked for her 3 children. I got by without one and so did my brother and sister.

I dont want to sound like Im bagging dummies...I know some people like them and some dont. What works for some doesnt work for others....

Just a bit tired of hearing the comment: "Why dont you give her a dummy?"

Im giving other settling ideas a go so Ill see how I go....but dont want to try a dummy.

[*babygirl*]

my DD is a VERY placid baby and we used a dummy from shortly after birth until about 3 months old to help settle her and TBH she didnt even really like it...

but if YOU and only YOU think a dummy might help then by all means try it! but dont let anyone else get to you or make u question yourself... after all you are the one that has to 'deal' with her at bedtime.

:hugs:

[Lipsmacker01]

my DD is a VERY placid baby and we used a dummy from shortly after birth until about 3 months old to help settle her and TBH she didnt even really like it...

but if YOU and only YOU think a dummy might help then by all means try it! but dont let anyone else get to you or make u question yourself... after all you are the one that has to 'deal' with her at bedtime.

:hugs:

Thanks for that. It did make me question myself sometimes...and I know what you mean.

Shed probably be getting too old for one anyways! I bet shed see it as a toy and keep pulling it out of her mouth..but then again.
Ill stick to what Im doing at the moment. So far so good :)

[OJandMe]

I never used them at all for the twins.

They didn't need them, and I was like you.. very anit-dummy.


But Gabriel is a really 'hard to settle' baby... so in desperation I tried a dummy for him, at about a week old...

It has been my lifesaver.


Personally, I think if you've got to 8 months, she doesn't really need it... they do go through very unsettled stages, and I don't think introducing a dummy will help with that.

You know if you have a kid who needs a dummy to settle... if you have one of those, they are usually on a dummy within the first 2 weeks.

I suggest just trying to ride it out...

Maybe give her more things to chew during her awake hours... it could be her teeth annoying her too.

Have you tried Brauer's Calm drops?? They are wonderful for helping fussy bubbas to settle.

[KatiesMum]

I agree wholehartedy with OJandMe. If you have got to 8 months whithout it .... it probably is not going to help you much - and as babygirl said - it is such a personal thing. If you want to give it a go ... do it, but only if you honestly think it will help - not just to placate MIL.

It is hard when someone else just keeps on suggesting the same thing though....

(For the record...DD does have a dummy - from around 1 week old. For me it is a lifesaver as DD loves it....but it isnt for every baby - or every Mummy)

[ikis84]

I agree with what everyone has said so far :)

I use a dummy for my DD, but I HATE it (although it works). I think 8 months would be too late to try it, and I think if you have made it this far without it then I wouldn't bother.

[punkbaby]

I wouldnt start now my first didnt have one, my 2nd and third got rid of theirs at 3 and i hate the fact that depended on them. Yes they needed them when they were little but it was just a habit in the end. This bubs doesnt have one and wont have one :)

In saying that though dummies were life savers with my middle two, i wouldnt have coped they were screamers!

[justmum]

Don't let anyone try to tell you what is best for your baby! So we're not general child experts, but we ARE experts in our own children and what is best for them. Don't question yourself.

My DS gave up his dummy at 5 months, with no prompting from me - as soon as he started teething he lost interest and now if I try to offer him one he thinks it's hilarious and turns it around in his hands and talks to it (very cute!) - the point of my story is that I would doubt an 8 month old baby would find a dummy, having never had one, soothing.

[Lipsmacker01]

My DS gave up his dummy at 5 months, with no prompting from me - as soon as he started teething he lost interest and now if I try to offer him one he thinks it's hilarious and turns it around in his hands and talks to it (very cute!) - the point of my story is that I would doubt an 8 month old baby would find a dummy, having never had one, soothing.

Thats funny about your little one. I agree with you completely! I bet my little one would find it a complete novelty if she saw one!

Thanks for your advice ladies