DUMMIES: Do’s and Don’ts
Dummies are one of the most controversial topics we come across at our Chiropractic office in Sea Point. Love them or hate them, they’ve been around for a while and are here to stay! Thus the more information you can have on correct dummy use the better.
Let’s take a look at the advantages or disadvantages of dummies as well as how to pick the best dummy for your little baba if you are going to use them!
For starters, babies develop the ability to suck while still in utero. This is very important for their survival, as they need to be able to feed from day one. The sucking sensation also helps calm them down, soothe themselves, and gives comfort. When a baby wants comfort, we shouldn’t feed them every time, as this will lead to other issues, so this is where a dummy comes in handy. In general, babies should also stop sucking a dummy at 2 years old to prevent orthodontic problems down the line
Advantages of Dummies:
- Calms & helps them sleep
- Supports digestion
- Promotes oral development
- Reduces the perception of pain
Disadvantages of Dummies:
- When used for too long, dummies may cause teeth misalignment or delayed speech development.
- Dummies have been linked to an increased rate of middle ear infections.
- It was previously thought that dummies can affect breastfeeding, but when introduced correctly, this is not the case
The Anatomy of a Dummy:
First and foremost, your baby’s dummy should be age appropriate – when buying a dummy look for the age range and this should guide you on the correct one to buy.
The lip shield should be asymmetrical so that it is easy to tell if it is in your baby’s mouth the right side up. Make sure that the lip shield doesn’t block the nose because if it does this might cause open-mouth breathing.
The Baglet should be flat and wide so as to spread the sucking forces evenly over the pallet. The flat shape also imitates the way the nipple flattens during breastfeeding. The stem of the dummy should be narrow to decrease the opening between the gums and teeth to prevent forces from the gums. When possible, look for orthodontic dummies!
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