Dummies and talking

Babies like to suck, so dummies can help soothe at bedtime or when your baby is tired or cross. But regular and extended use of a dummy can create problems with your child’s speech.

• Try to wean your child away from dummies, preferably by 12 months.

• Make a clean break – throw away the dummy over a weekend, or at a time when you have support. Most babies and toddlers will fret for no more than two or three days.

• Dummies prevent babies from babbling – an important step in learning to talk, so only use them at set times, like bedtime.

• When your baby cries he’s trying to tell you something, so try to find out what’s troubling him first, and use the dummy as a last resort.

• Never dip your baby’s dummy into anything sweet. This can cause tooth decay.

• Remember, learning to talk can be tricky so toddlers need lots of practice. A dummy will discourage your toddler from chatting with you, which she needs to do to develop her language skills.

• If your toddler is still using a dummy, always ask him to take it out before you talk to each other.