Pregnancy & Baby 

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Are dummies safe?

There’s no doubt that a dummy can be a great help during your baby’s first year of life. Sucking is your baby’s earliest reflex and is vital for feeding. But once your baby has finished feeding, the problems can begin.

Always try to identify any problem before you resort to using the dummy as a ‘plug’. Don’t get into the habit of using the dummy regularly. Only use it as a fallback when all else fails. So use it for doing all of those things that seem to help him – and you. A dummy also means he’s less likely to start a long habit of thumb or finger sucking, which can lead to dental problems.

Using a dummy when he has a blocked nose can be a problem because a dummy will obstruct the only other breathing way. Remember, too, that it’s a bad idea to dip his dummy into anything sugary. This can lead to early dental decay.
Try to wean your baby off the dummy by 10–12 months.

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