Using dummy for sleep routine- is this bad?

[clucky77]

I exclusively express for my baby (breast refusal :() so I need her to settle very quickly and can't spend 30 mins getting her to sleep -otherwise she won't get breast milk!

The dummy works wonders for us and she really only needs that to settle off to sleep- sucks for about 5-10 mins and then drifts off. I was staying in the room with her whilst expressing, but she really only cares about the dummy.

Is it bad that I use it as part of her routine and really, that's all she needs- she doesn't need the lullaby or me really.... just her beloved dummy.

Am I creating probs for later? She is not so dependent on it that we use it at other times, and we refine it to the cot

[breechmumma]

It depends it you consider it a problem or not. Some people are pro dummy and some are against it. I am using one. I think it is ok to help bub off to sleep with one. I guess it is a cross that road when you get to it deal. Dummies can be taken away, thrown out or grown out of. Its easier to remove a dummy then to take away a childs thumb/ finger from them.

I guess it comes down to doing what you feel is right. If you really are worried about it then maybe dummies aren't for you. But if you are happy and bubba is doing well then thats all that matters.

I hope someone else can give you some better advice but I say trust your instincts and you can't go wrong.

[ozmum]

IMO if it works for you then do it. All babies are different and every mother has to find out what works for you and baby. You will figure out later how to deal with tking the dummy away and believe me you won't be alone. Look around and see how many babies use dummies and i don't know why eveyone labels them as bad. I've never had to use on with DD but was never opposed to them, she just took to her thumb and was happy so i left it.

My only other thought is why you can't wait to express for the extra 30mins?? My boobs only got fuller each time i went longer without a feed or expressing and then they got used to the routine and were fine, but then again everyone is different and as i said b4, if it is the only way it works for you and you are happy then do it and don't worry about other peoples thoughts and comments. It is more important for baby to get sleep and mum not to be stressed. Esp when trying to BF or express as it is hard enough.

Good Luck

[clucky77]

My only other thought is why you can't wait to express for the extra 30mins?? Good Luck


Exclusively expressing is one of the hardest things I have ever done- and I have done a PhD and run marathons!

Basically I have a 3 hour routine and bubs is feeding (bottle) and awake for 1.5 hours, then settling and asleep for 1.5 hours (max). So I have 1.5 hours to get her to sleep, express and keep up with the household. So if I waited and extra 30 mins I would only have an hour at MOST (usually she wakes early too)........... just can't maintain a household and a life! So, the only way I see being able to EE longer term is for her to settle very quickly. Guess it's a trade off- she has the dummy, but also has breast milk!

[KeithCheggers]

Hi Clucky

I vowed never to use a dummy but after 7 weeks of colic we buckled one night and havent looked back. Our DS is the same, quite happy without it and can occaisionly drift off without it but it seems to give him real comfort and settles him. As a result I was also probably alot calmer (and saner!).

We will also look at "losing" the dummy once he's a little older (just over 15 weeks atm).

Good luck with whatever you decide though - only you know whats best and big congrats on the efforts with EE - must be really tough but a wonderful thing to be doing.

[bubbasmum]

I dont think its a problem if it does the job. Its really up to you and what you want :)

[Orionsmum]

Hi

I was totally anti dummy, though really I'm not sure why now in retrospect. I resisted for the first three weeks and have now given in. Sometimes he wants it and others he spits it out.

I think you have to do whatever works for you and take all the advice with a pinch of salt.
I've got lots of friends who used dummies and managed to wean the baby off no problem, but really whats the big deal if your baby still wants its dummy now and again when it's older.

I'm expressing too, do you have an electric pump that takes batteries, with a bit of practice I've found I can do it wandering around, making a cup of tea etc ;-) Looks ridiculous but the multi tasking helps me get more done!

[clucky77]

Hi

I was totally anti dummy, though really I'm not sure why now in retrospect. I resisted for the first three weeks and have now given in. Sometimes he wants it and others he spits it out.

I think you have to do whatever works for you and take all the advice with a pinch of salt.
I've got lots of friends who used dummies and managed to wean the baby off no problem, but really whats the big deal if your baby still wants its dummy now and again when it's older.

I'm expressing too, do you have an electric pump that takes batteries, with a bit of practice I've found I can do it wandering around, making a cup of tea etc ;-) Looks ridiculous but the multi tasking helps me get more done!


Yep- I have the new medela freestyle hands free... I have even expressed while driving!!!!!! (with a muslin over me)

[Happy2be3]

To answer your question "is a dummy a bad thing?"... I dont think so.. Its just a piece of rubber... my view is that the dummy was the best thing ever invented! :yelclap:

why some people get SOooooo hung up on them is beyond me..... I mean , REALLY, whats the worst that could happen. Yeh, ok so the habit might be hard to break but so what! If it ends up being an addiction, then you can deal with that when or IF the time comes.. until then I say if it helps bub get to sleep go for it:flowerz:

[Boobycino]

I dont think its a bad thing.

I was a "oh, I'll never use a dummy" parent while I wasn't a parent :rolleyes:

Sometimes it becomes a need. Most bubbas do just give them up on their own. I suppose we just hear the most about the ones who wont give them up without a fight.

Left to their own devices, they would give them up on their own anyway - do you know any dummy sucking 17 year olds?