Speech and Language Therapy
Date of issue: November 2023
Date reviewed: xxx
Review due: xxx
If review date has passed, the content will apply until the next version is published.
What you need to know
Dummies can be a life saver when baby is tired, upset or ill but...
Always try to find out why a child is upset and use the dummy as a last resort.
Dummies are not recommended after 6 months and certainly shouldn’t be needed beyond 12 months.
- Overuse of dummies can lead to difficulties with speech.
- They can change the position of the teeth and obstruct tongue movements which makes sounds difficult to say.
- Dummies inhibit talking — remember babies need lots of babbling practice before they will learn to use words
Remember
Don’t encourage speaking with a dummy in the mouth.
Don‘t dip the dummy in sugar!
Watch this
https://bumps2bairns.com/dummies/
Advice line
You can call our Advice Line for more information
Thursdays between 10am and 12noon
East Fife: 01592 717569
West Fife: 01592 645234
Accessible formats
If you require this information in a community language or alternative format such as Braille, audio, large print, BSL, or Easy Read, please contact the Equality and Human Rights Team at: email: fife.EqualityandHumanRights@nhs.scot or phone 01592 729130. For people with a hearing or verbal impairment you can also contact the team through the NHS Fife SMS text service number on 07805800005.
You can also find health related information on many topics in an Easy Read format on nhsinform.scot.
