Dummies and thumb sucking

Key health professionals for delivering this care:
  • Midwives
  • Health visitors
  • Nursery nurses.
Key messages: 
  • Not all babies need a dummy but if your baby does, try to limit their use to when you feel they need it most
  • Frequent use of a dummy, thumb-sucking, or bottles beyond 12 months old can cause a gap in the top front teeth. As a result, the teeth move to make space for the dummy/thumb. This is called an open bite
  • This can require braces or even jaw surgery to re-align later in life

  • This can interfere with eating, speech development (like a lisp), uneven tooth wear, and your child may be unhappy with the appearance of their teeth as they grow up.

  • Discourage your child from running around, talking, or making sounds with a dummy or their thumb in their mouth. Don't dip dummies in anything sweet, such as sugar or jam
  • Never suck your baby’s dummy to ‘clean’ it as this will spread germs between you and your baby. Keep plenty of spares instead.

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