I’m for anything that helps parents follow their own intuition and create a sleep routine that works for them. When it comes to dummies, it really has no bearing on sleep quality, so if you would like to start using a dummy, this one is for you.
You can dive in a little deeper to dummy pros and cons here.
Most babies are ready to learn how to put a dummy in their own mouth from around 5 months of age, but in order for them to succeed you need to teach them and practice it together.
So how is it done?
When teaching your little one anything new it’s always best to ensure they’ve been fed, changed, are awake and in a good mood, so their inquisitive minds are available for learning a new skill. Find a time that works best and start practicing.
Step one
Scatter a few dummies in your baby’s play area and let them explore. You can then place a dummy in their hand and say ‘here’s your dummy’ whilst leading it gently towards their mouth.
Step two
Place the dummy in their hand and say ‘here’s your dummy’. Leave it to them to find their mouth. It will be hit or miss at first. Once you notice a few successful attempts you can move onto the next step.
Step three
Help them explore the scattered dummies in their play area, guiding their hand towards a dummy, letting them pick it up on their own and say ‘here’s your dummy’. When they finally manage to independently reach the dummy, they’ll put it in their mouth.
That’s all it takes! Your baby can now be the master of their own dummy during play time, a buggy walk or in bed.
Tips for success:
- Have at least 2-3 dummies in their crib to find independently at night
- Glow in the dark dummies are a life saviour!
- Use a full length cot bumper to avoid dummies dropping while they toss and turn
This exercise only takes a few days and will give them a sense of independence, and you some freedom!
