Dummies and Sleep
Dummies have been used to help soothe babies for many years, but how do you know whether you should introduce a dummy and will it help or hinder sleep?
Keep reading to find out!
When are dummies useful?
Introducing a dummy really is a personal choice. All babies are different and while for some they really help to comfort and soothe, others will spit them out and reject them completely (like my own two children!)
But did you know, there are some circumstances where a dummy can be particularly useful or even advised?
Dummies are great for newborns who are born prematurely. This is because they really help to develop their sucking skill which, in turn, could help them to feed more effectively.
Babies with reflux can also benefit from having a dummy because the sucking motion helps to soothe the discomfort without giving extra milk, which can add to the discomfort.
Some studies have also shown that using a dummy can help to reduce the risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS), however it’s not really known why this is. Please click here to visit the Lullaby Trust if you’d like more information on this.
It is, however, generally recommended that you don’t offer a dummy until feeding is well established, particularly if you are breastfeeding. The NHS also recommends that you reserve the dummy for sleep time and consider getting rid of it when your baby reaches about 12 months old.
Do dummy’s help or hinder sleep?
This is tricky one because I’ve worked with plenty of babies who have had dummies and we’ve kept them whilst working on sleep and there have not been any issues at all. But I've also worked with families whose progress has been significantly hindered by the dummy. Here’s why:
Dummies are NOT helpful for sleep when parents end up doing ‘dummy runs’. This means going into your baby’s room numerous times a night to replace the dummy. Usually this happens if your baby is not able to replace it themselves, so you have to return to the room and do it for them. If this is happening, it’s time to think about removing it as a sleep association.
Lots of parents I’ve worked with think it’s not a problem because their child spits the dummy out once they’re asleep, but actually that’s not the root issue at all. The issue is that their baby is reliant on sucking to get themselves to sleep, so when they come into lighter sleep, they go to suck on it to get back to sleep but it isn’t there any more, so they wake up and cry for it! Cue dummy run by you!
Older babies can be ok sleeping with a dummy if they can replace it themselves. If they can, it’s a good idea to put several in the cot so they can feel around for one in the night. If your baby hasn’t quite mastered this yet (and most will around 9-10m old) then encourage them to replace it themselves by putting it in their hand rather than their mouth.
How do we ditch it?
You can take gradual approach and reserve the dummy only for sleep times. You can then move on to having it only at sleep onset (when they fall asleep) and not replace it if it falls out during the night.
If you’d like to rip the plaster off and go for the quick approach then, as scary as it may seem, ‘cold turkey’ is your best bet (and will be less confusing for your child). If you decide to go down this route, it’s really important you get rid of all the dummies so you aren’t tempted to give one back after a couple of days – this will make getting rid of it the next time even harder!
When ditching the dummy, always start at bedtime because that’s when your baby will be most receptive to change. Make sure you have a plan in place too, as your baby is likely to need more comfort & reassurance at first. It’s a really good idea to replace the dummy with a comfort object.
You may find sleep is a little disturbed for a few nights but more than likely your baby will surprise you. I usually find babies adapt much quicker than parents fear and within a few days they’ve completely forgotten all about the dummy.
It can be unsettling for children if they don’t know what to expect or what the boundaries are, so with older children, I recommend being completely transparent about it. Tell them exactly what’s going to happen and prepare them for the change. It can be a good idea to read some stories about ditching the dummy in advance, then gather up all the dummies and exchange them for a new toy. Another option is to give the dummies to Santa or the Easter Bunny as your child will be distracted by all the excitement and celebrations!
Remember, like anything, being consistent is key. If you decide it’s the right time, it’s essential that you stick with it and aren’t tempted to start using it again!
Want more support with sleep?
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