Just my 2c worth. I swore whilst I was pregnant with my first that I would NOT use a dummy but alas as you can see further down, this did not occur.
I also agree to a previous reply about research showing that babies that use dummies have a lower IQ, I find it offensive. I have four children. My first had a dummy as he was a very 'sucky' baby at birth and although tried to introduce his thumb, he was not interested. The next two both had dummies and all three have weaned themselves prior to six months. And all my children are above average IQ, especially No. 2. The only dental problems to date is that my 3rd baby has a very small mouth and therefore teeth are very crowded. My 4th is currently 10 months and only has a dummy at night, it is attached via a small (to prevent strangle etc.) and he is able to find it if lost etc. It does also come in handy if timing for feeding is a bit off and we have to wait for his feed. Most research does tend to suggest that a thumb is better. I think a lot of the studies do not take into account the many many variables such as, family history of dental problems, size of childs mouth such as my daughters, etc. I believe that there are both pros and cons in regards to the day to day use such as if you lose the dummy etc., you can't lose a thumb. My opinion is that as babies do lose their baby teeth, that maybe it is more of an issue with an older child whilst their adult teeth are coming, which would be when they start losing their baby teeth. There is so much debate regarding so many options that are there for anything regarding 'how to do this or that' and all it really serves to do is confuse mothers and make them feel like a 'bad' mother if using any options that are suggested inadvisable and makes other mothers feel that they are the best mothers because they opt for all the 'best' options for their child, and yet lack in some of the more important parts of being a parent. Sorry for the long reply but just had to add my 2c. -- Yours in Childbirth and with the Love of Friendship Rita �����ȣ�V�R��W�M�Ѥ��� Mother of David � 13, Haydie � 11, Alysha � 10 and Baby Tyler 8 months Registered Nurse, Student Midwife (currently in hiatus � due to injury), Aspiring CBE and Doula --------- Original Message -------- From: J Stewart <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: ozmid <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Cc: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subject: [ozmidwifery] thumb or dummy!? Date: 23/02/03 23:45 > > > > > > > > Dear List(s)! > > Just looking for a little bit of general advice on > an old debate! > I have a six month old baby cousin > [very cute!] she has taken to sucking her thumb as she is starting to get > some toothy pegs! and her mum is not in favour of giving her a dummy. I was > wondering what opinions are on this? I would think that sucking thumbs could > effect tooth development and the direction/position in which they grow, as well > as forming a hard to kick habbit in todlers, but have also heard interesting > points against dummies. > > Any thoughts!? > > Thanks in advance! > Jessica. > -- This mailing list is sponsored by ACE Graphics. Visit <http://www.acegraphics.com.au> to subscribe or unsubscribe.
