Dummies

[jackie0]

Which are better - silicone or latex Avent dummies?  Also, is my 22 month old boy supposed to have stopped using the dummy?  Are there any bad effects? 

[kick3m0n]

I don't think there's any particular time/age when a child should stop using a dummy, it just depends on the child, and their parents.  Maybe if you're asking the question, you feel like he shouldn't be using it now??? Our wee guy is 23mnths old, and only used a dummy for about 12 weeks when he had colic, as the sucking soothed him in the eveing when his colic was worst.  He stopped using it of his own accord and we were delighted as we both dislike dummies.   Adverse affects?  Well, I'm assuming you use orthodontic dummies if your wee boy is using one, since he will have teeth by now.   Also, I have two friends whose children used dummies well into their third year and both were very poor talkers - and without even being told, the Doctor who did their development checks (at 2 and 3) guessed that the girls still had dummies.  It's not just that the child won't speak if they have their mouth full, it's all about developing movement/control of the tongue to make sounds...a dummy will hinder this if used enough. My sons wee pal in our street doesn't say much either (despite being the same age as my chatty munchkin) but then he very often has a dummy in his mouth.    There are huge numbers of kids that have dummies for years and have absolutely no ill effects from this, yet for others it can cause problems.  I'd also say that the longer they have a dummy, the harder it is to give it up.....borne out again by my friends children.

[spudqueen]

My eldest son had a dummy, though I used to make him take it out when we went to Toddlers. He then got used to being without it in those sort of places and so went off happily to playschool, preschool and then school without being bothered about it. When he was just turned 5 (and at school), by which time he was only having his dummy at night I bribed him to stop using it by saying he could have orange juice instead of milk at school.
My youngest son never used a dummy, he would spit them out! He used his thumb which I found the use of not as easy to control as a dummy, ie his thumb was still with him when at toddlers, playschool, school etc. He was about 8 before he finally stopped sucking his thumb.
So I wouldn't worry about your son still using a dummy, do try to control when he has it though. All children need some sort of comforter (a soft toy or a blanket are other favourites), so make sure he has it when he's tired.

[au61]

The best dummy is no dummy. Tried both - dummy and no dummy - and had less trouble with no dummy. No problems with lost dummies, dirty dummies, etc.

[thikasabrik]

My eldest had a dummy and she stopped using it overnight at Christmas. I stuck all her dummies on the Xmas tree and told her that Santa would take them to give to poor babies who didn't have any. I also told her that he would leave her a pressie for each dummy he took. Because she thought they had been taken away by Santa she never bothered to ask for one again. I know this might seem like a naff way of doing it, but it worked for us. My daughter was 2.5 years old at the time. Good luck with whatever method you use and don't get stressed if it takes a while.