Dummy debate: an expert shares her opinion
By Livia Gamble
To dummy or not to dummy, that is the question lots of parents ask themselves.
While some might be worried about their baby becoming too dependent on the dummy, not everyone agrees.
Speaking to TMB TV, Carmel Morabito from Calm Babies says she’s a fan of giving a baby a dummy.
“I like a dummy,” Carmel says. “At the end of the day, babies are babies. So if sucking soothes them, then that’s fantastic, especially if we’re wrapping them because they can’t suck on their hands.”
Soothes sensitive tummies
But that’s not the only reason Carmel is a fan of the dummy.
“The dummy’s also great with babies that have sensitive tummies,” she adds. “So if they’ve got a bit of a colic or a bit of reflux, that sucking motion can help soothe that as well.”
One downside of a dummy, according to Carmel, is if you’re giving your baby a dummy and it’s falling out every five minutes, and you have to keep putting it back in.
But Carmel says “that usually doesn’t happen.”
One thing to keep in mind if your baby is spitting out the dummy is that all babies are different. What might be soothing for one baby won’t be for another. So if your baby doesn’t seem that interested in a dummy – don’t force it.
How to choose the right dummy for your newborn
Raising Children has some excellent advice on choosing a dummy for your baby.
- Make sure the dummy you choose is in one piece and can’t be broken into two.
- The shield should have holes and be larger than 3.5 cm wide so baby can’t swallow it.
- A dummy that goes in the dishwasher is a great idea, especially for a newborn.
- Be wary of dummy chains as they can pose as a choking hazard.
You can also read our dummy comparisons to find the highest rated products according to other parents.
Top dummies for a newborn
The Tell Me Baby community has rated the best dummies for newborns they’ve tried, and they’ve shared their opinions on what has, or hasn’t, worked for them.
Here are thigh highest-rated newborn dummies in the Tell Me Baby community. (Click each link to see what other parents have to say.)
- Tommee Tippee Super Soft Comforter
- Tommee Tippee Closer to Nature Night Time Soother
- NUK Orthodontic Soother reviews.
- Philips Avent Classic Pacifiers reviews.
Read more about each of these newborn dummies.
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