Giving dummies to babies is a bad thing No. In fact, it can even be harmful to take the dummy away from the baby . If the baby gains comfort from sucking, it will look for other ways to get the same feeling if you do not give it the dummy, such as: Sucking its finger, tongue or the edge of the pillow; Grinding its teeth. These actions can cause even more damage than sucking on the dummy. If the baby sees sucking as a source of pleasure, the dummy is simply the best way to provide it. Using a dummy delays speech During the first year of life, the dummy can be offered to the baby, but its use should be gradually decreased up to the age of 2 years. After the third year, use of the dummy can have harmful effects on dental occlusion . This can lead to deformation of the dental arch and cross-bite, which can lead to delays in speech and problems with chewing or diction. It interferes with breastfeeding The introduction of a dummy should be postponed until the third week of the baby’s life , when breastfeeding is well established. This will avoid confusion between the mother’s breast and the tip of the dummy (although some babies can distinguish these right from the start). It can protect against sudden infant death syndrome According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, the dummy can have the effect of protecting babies from sudden death syndrome when it is introduced after the 3rd week of breastfeeding and only used during sleep. It creates breathing problems, otitis and tonsillitis Continued use of the dummy can lead to prolonged expiration . The baby starts to breathe through its mouth, aggravating the soft palate (roof of the mouth), leading to a reduction in the airspace of the facial sinuses and creating deviations in the nasal septum. Breathing through the mouth can also lead to decreased production of saliva , as well as the migration of bacteria from nasal secretions into the middle ear, leading to a risk of acute otitis media, rhinitis and tonsillitis. In summary... It is important to think about the pros and cons of using the dummy and to decide, together with the paediatrician, what is best for each child. In most cases, a dummy is the best solution for responding to a reflex that almost all babies have: suckling. If the baby rejects the dummy, it must not be forced to accept it. There are other ways a baby can be calmed down and comforted: Sit it on your lap; Talk to it; Pay it attention. There are conventional or orthodontic dummies, made from silicone or latex , for each age group. They should be washed with water, sterilised every 3-5 days and replaced every month. At the hospitals and clinics of the Hospital da Luz network, there are doctors specialising in paediatrics , who can monitor the health of children and young people. Author : Alexandra Pinto Meet the Pediatrics team of Hospital da Luz network The content published in the Health Guide is intended for the general public and is provided for informational and educational purposes only. It does not replace individual medical assessment, diagnosis, or personalized clinical advice from a qualified healthcare professional. The content is produced or reviewed by physicians and other healthcare professionals at Hospital da Luz and is based on the knowledge available at the time of publication or the most recent update, as indicated at the beginning of each item.
