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“Should I offer my baby a dummy or will this affect their later speech development?”

All babies are born with the desire to suck, Nutritive sucking provides nourishment so the baby can grow.  Non-Nutritive sucking provides pleasure as well as calms the baby.

What most parents get confused about is:

What type of dummy should I use?

The size and shape of dummies do vary, therefore it is important that it fits the size of your baby’s mouth.  Most dummies have an outer shield molded to the shape of the lips.  It is important that this outer shield promotes lip closure.

How often should my baby have the dummy?

A dummy should not be used as a plug to keep the baby quiet.

Babies begin to communicate from birth by making noises and babbling.  It is important that babies are given the opportunity to talk and so it is important that the dummy doesn’t stop this communication development.

At what age should I take away the dummy?

Try to get your child out of the habit as soon as possible, however a dummy/pacifier is preferable to thumb or finger sucking since the dummy is easier to throw away.  Baby teeth are very important as they guide the development of your child’s adult teeth.  At approximately 6-12 months of age your baby’s first front tooth will appear and by the age of 3 years they will have all 20 teeth.  At six months or earlier would be the ideal time to remove the dummy sucking habit.  By twelve months a baby should be taking a cup instead of bottles. 

Can a dummy affect my child’s speech development?

In the short term dummy &/or thumb sucking should not have a significant effect on the development of the oral muscles, relationship of the teeth and speech development.  If, persistent dummy and for that matter bottle sucking continues for many years, this can affect the muscles of the mouth. This can cause the tongue to sit forward between the teeth and affect the position of the teeth. This may then cause some speech difficulties.  Also if the dummy is used to keep the child quiet they may be delayed in developing language as they are not given opportunities to communicate.

If you have any concerns you can contact your local Community Health Centre and speak to a Speech Pathologist.  Written by: Melissa Serafin, Senior Speech Pathologist Westmead Hospital 

If you would like more information on this and other similar topics our E-books are packed full of practical parenting tips.  Down load an E-Book specifically related to your child's age group through Publications at Our Shop.

How Cradle 2 Kindy Can Help

Cradle 2 Kindy provide professional information on topics such as the need for a dummy.  We take into consideration the child’s developmental needs and look holistically at their requirements which can varies with each child.  Alternatively we can advise you on methods to eliminating a dummy habit.

To make a booking call Cradle 2 Kindy on 1300 786 101

Also see: What happens at a Coaching Session

More Articles on Developmental Stages

As with all things every baby is different.  Some babies have a terrible time with teething, others you don’t even know it is happening till you see a pearly tooth in their mouths. 

Often if a child is unsettled, teething can be blamed unnecessarily.  If a child is under four months and is unsettled it is rarely due to teeth.  I would suggest you look for other causes first.  Take baby’s temperature, check if she is not too hot or cold.  Is she over-tired or hungry? 

Possible signs of teething

Dribbling, rosy cheeks, chewing on everything, pulling ears, loose bowels, swollen gums, irritability and disinterested in feeding can be signs of teething.

High fevers don’t come with teething and paracetamol should rarely be used as it can cause damage to the liver.

Tooth and gum care

Teething rings and finger food may help.  Offering them cool from the fridge may help cool inflamed gums. 

If your baby is over four months old, teething gels are often helpful.  They should not be used in conjunction with paracetamol as you will be doubling up on the dosage. 

Introduce a toothbrush.  Children under seven years old should be assisted with cleaning their teeth.

Water is preferable to sweet drinks.  Never give milk before sleeping unless you brush teeth immediately after, as this may cause tooth decay.  At six months a cup should be introduced and bottles eliminated by twelve months. 

Now is the time to give up the dummy and  never put a sweetener on a dummy.

Visit the dentist regularly. 

Biting

Don’t be surprised if your baby starts to bite, it may be an attempt to relieve the discomfort of teething.  This may occur while breastfeeding which can be extremely painful for the mother.  If your child already has teeth then the biting is probably due to other reasons such as boredom, frustration, excitement or experimentation. It may be a way to attract your attention.  If you draw attention or make a big fuss over biting it may become a form of attention seeking. Also seeArticles on Discipline

Toothly order

Baby’s bottom two incisors usually come up first then the top four, followed by two more on the bottom.  This commonly occurs between 4 to 12 months. By 12 to 18 months her first molars will rise, top two then bottom two.  Her canines, top then bottom, will appear around 18 to 24 months.  The second molars, bottom then top two, from 24 to 30 months.  Adult teeth usually start appearing from about five to six years old.

Tips: Start you child on good eating habits right from the start.

Remember: Visit the dentist regularly.  Encourage your child to brush their own teeth but also continue to brush your child’s teeth till they are seven year old. 

If you would like more information on this and other similar topics our E-books are packed full of practical parenting tips.  Down load an E-Book specifically related to your child's age group through Publications at Our Shop.

How Cradle 2 Kindy Can Help

Our team of parenting coaches at Cradle 2 Kindy provide information and assisance for a variety of developmental and behavioural issues for children up to five years old.

Call now and book your personal Cradle 2 Kindy coach on 1300 786 101

Also see: What happens at a Coaching session?

More Articles on Developmental Stages