Literacy news

Things you need to know about dummies and bottles

19 Jul 2008

What you should know

Not all babies need a dummy/bottle.
Speech and language therapists recommend that children over 12 months old do not use a dummy/bottles.
Dummies/bottles are not suitable for breast fed babies until feeding is established.
If your child uses a dummy/bottle a lot, it may affect speech and language development by restricting tongue movements, making speech sound unclear or causing a gap in the front teeth that may lead to a lisp.
Dummies/bottles may also make it more difficult for your child to swallow and may make your child more "dribbly"

What can you do if your child uses a dummy?

Aim to get rid of the dummy/bottle around 12 months or sooner.
Use a flat teat rather than a cherry teat as this has less effect on teeth.
Try cuddling or reading to your child before bedtime instead of giving the dummy/bottle.
Remove the dummy/bottle when your child is trying to talk.
Praise your child if s/he will give up the dummy/bottle.
Choose the right time to give up - not when you are under pressure.
Once you have decided to give up the dummy/bottle, don't be tempted to give it back and make sure there are none left around!

Ideas that parents have tried

Give the dummy/bottle to Santa.
Swap the dummy/bottle for a gift/cuddly toy/new toothbrush.
Pretend to give the dummy/bottle to a friend's baby.
Get the child to throw the dummy/bottle in the bin.
Hand the dummy/bottle to your local speech and language therapist who will give your child a sticker or picture to colour in.

Things parents have told us: