Re: [ozmidwifery] thumb or dummy!?

[Marilyn Kleidon]

I also think it boils down to what works for the mum and baby. That being said I have from time to time been quite revolted by how some parents use dummies: as a kind of plug to still the crying. Definetly not saying all parents who use dummies do this but have personally seen it done. I have also seen thumbsuckers self soothing in a corner while the parents seemingly ignore their needs. I think most dentists now decry as a myth the idea that thumb sucking causes misalignment of teeth. My eldest was a thumb sucker from 3 months to the day and it had nothing to do with weaning, maybe an overabundant supply and just a need for more sucking: she would push the breast away and put in her thumb until she fell asleep. She stopped sucking her thumb close to the time of starting  primary school. My other 2 didn't suck anything, stroked their own hair again from about 3 months the little hand would go up to a particular tuft of hair and stroke. Still happens at 22yrs. None of my kids have had or needed braces, I should have but didn't and wasn't a thumb sucker. So, I wouldn't advise substituting one for the other on the basis of future teeth problems, more on how it fits with the mum and baby's needs.   marilyn     ----- Original Message ----- From: J Stewart To: ozmid Cc: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Sent: Sunday, February 23, 2003 5:12 AM Subject: [ozmidwifery] thumb or dummy!? 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.