Reducing the use of dummies
Using a dummy can have an effect on your child’s communication and development of speech sounds.
Using dummies
Your child may have started using a dummy in their early days as they may help babies settle and support sleeping. If your child was born early or was sick you may have been advised to use a dummy at the time.
Tips for using dummies
- Always use a dummy with a flat or orthodontic teat. This is less likely to cause damage to their teeth.
- Never dip the dummy in anything, especially anything sweet or sugary.
- Dummies need to be kept clean and sterilised.
- Always remove the dummy from your child’s mouth when they are talking.
Dummies and speech
As your child gets older it is important to wean them off their dummy to support their communication and speech development.
What are the effects?
When a baby or young child has a dummy in their mouth, they are less likely to copy sounds adults make or to attempt to babble and play with sounds themselves.
Playing with sounds and babbling are important in the development of speech skills.
Having a dummy for a long period of time may also have an impact on how your child’s teeth grow and cause dental problems.
Reducing dummy use
As your baby grows they will need their dummy less and you can support them in reducing the use of it until they no longer use it.
Stopping dummy use is recommended before your child starts to babble, between 8-10 months old.
How to wean
- Reduce the amount of time your child has their dummy. Only give them the dummy at nap/bed times.
- Comfort your child if they cry by giving them a cuddle, acknowledging their feelings and offering them a favourite soft toy or comforter.
- Distract your child by encouraging them to join in with different play activities or going out for a walk.
- Be consistent once the dummy is gone. Your child will learn over time that they can settle without it.
- Reward your child for time without their dummy. Use praise, sticker charts or fun activities.
- Talk to your child about giving the dummies away to someone special e.g. another baby or a fictional character. Once the dummy has gone, tell them it belongs to someone else now and distract or comfort them if they ask for it.
