Dummies and thumb sucking

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 can cause a gap in the top front teeth, where 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, and 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