Breastfeeding and dummies: what you need to know.
A dummy (or pacifier if you speak American English) is a breast substitute for babies who have a high need to suck which their mother cannot always accommodate.
However, people often get this mixed up and acuse babies of using the breast as a dummy! How bizarre is it to imagine the artificial nipple is the default and a baby using the actual thing is the variation?
Babies need to suck. Not only is sucking rewarded by milk from the breast but it aids oral and facial development, reduces stress and can lead to sleep. When infants are carried close to their mother all day, as seen in traditional communities and other primates, they suckle frequently throughout the day. These mothers would struggle to answer if asked how often their babies feed as it is not something measurable, just something which is part of their day. Babywearing during the day and breastsleeping at night means the young baby is always near the breast and they can satisfy their need to suck whenever they wish. It is also recognised that babies very rarely cry in these societies, as mothers don't spend time ruling out causes for distress but just soothe all distress with the breast.
But modern western society makes it hard for mothers to remain in constant contact with their babies in these early months. Indeed, the idea of such a commitment makes many people uncomfortable and there are myriad products on the market specifically designed to provide alternatives to the mother. Which includes the dummy industry.
There are times when using a dummy is a godsend for parents. Modern life means a lot of time driving and babies cannot be safely breastfed in moving cars. Families are small and isolated and daily life is busy. Some mothers simply do not have the luxury of time to fill their baby's sucking needs with the breast alone.
So use of dummies is going to be part of life for some babies. However, they need to used carefully so they don't interfere with the breastfeeding relationship.
Ideally, breastfeeding should be well-established before a dummy is introduced. Nipple confusion can occur in babies who are still learning how to attach well. The technique used in sucking a dummy or teat is discreetly different to that for the breast. To avoid negatively impacting attachment and milk supply, delay adding a dummy until your supply is fully meeting your baby’s needs and attachment is pain free. If your supply is low, breastfeeding for comfort will help boost production.
Don't be fooled by marketing: no dummy or teat is “ just like the breast”. Every breast is unique, even your own are not exactly the same. And every baby moulds the breast and nipple to perfectly fit their mouth. Millions of dollars are spent each year convincing parents to buy “the very best for your baby” without any science to support marketing claims. One brand came out with a design back in the 70s, claiming the shape was “orthodontic” and looked “just like a mother’s nipple.” It did look like a nipple: one which had been compressed into a “lipstick” shape by a poorly-attached baby!
Choose products which meet safety regulations and are easy to clean. Check for damage before each use and never use your mouth to clean them: you can transfer bacteria from active tooth decay to your baby's mouth.
Many parents of toddlers regret allowing their child to develop an emotional attachment to dummies. Some children become dependent on them for sleep and emotional regulation. The best way to prevent this is to wean from them before they become “transitional objects”. These items of comfort can include blankets or soft toys but some children cling to dummies to fill this need. Often you will see an attachment begin to develop as separation anxiety begins to appear around 9 months but it can develop earlier. If you don't want the drama of searching high and low for the exact product to replace a lost or damaged dummy or you want to avoid potential speech or orthodontic issues, transition sooner rather than later to a more practical special toy or blanket.
Some parents believe a dummy is preferable to thumb sucking which can be seen as a bad habit. However getting a child to give up a dummy can be as challenging as stopping thumb sucking. Thumbs and fingers are easier to keep clean and cannot be lost. Most children give up thumb sucking before it becomes a concern.
