Sat 21 Nov 2009 | You are here: Home > Toddler > Tantrums & behaviour > Giving up the dummy
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The material contained on these pages is in no way intended to replace professional medical care or advice and should not be used as a basis for diagnosis or choice of treatment. Answers to specific problems may not apply to everyone. If you're worried, see your GP.
Giving up the dummy
  • Giving up the dummy

  • Here's why experts say you should dump the dummy when baby reaches the age of one.

Babies often enjoy the comfort of a dummy, but you need to make sure they kick the habit once they reach the age of 12 months. Here's why:

  • Repeated dummy sucking opens the eustachian tubes, which link the nose and middle ear, allowing bacteria in and causing middle ear infections.
  • If your baby sucks for too long, it can over-develop the muscles at the front of the mouth compared with the back. In severe cases the roof of the mouth may be malformed.
  • Babies use their mouths to research things. With a dummy in place your child may be hindering his play and development.
  • Dummies are associated with poorer speech because they encourage children to remain quieter and be less expressive.

The longer you leave it to ditch the dummy, the more attached your child will become to it. Bite the bullet while they're young and the agony will be less ('though it may not feel like it at the time...!).


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