Top tips: Supporting parents with children's dummy use
Dummies can be a helpful way to comfort and settle babies, especially in the early months. However, as children grow, it’s important to balance dummy use with lots of opportunities to talk, listen and interact. These tips will help staff to support parents to make confident, informed decisions about when and how to use a dummy and how to reduce reliance on it over time.
Top tips for supporting parents with children's dummy use
1. Create an information sheet for parents about dummy use and offer it as part of their welcome pack. Signpost parents to further advice from the Lullaby Trust: https://www.lullabytrust.org.uk/baby-safety/baby-product-information/dummies/
2. Develop your own policy on the use of dummies in nursery and link it to your sleep policy. Ensure you follow the NHS and Lullaby Trust guidelines for using dummies
3. Promote using a dummy mainly for sleep - advise parents to keep dummy use for naps and bedtime, explaining that limiting daytime use helps prevent interference with talking, listening and social interaction as well as impacting on teeth alignment
4. Encourage time for talking and sounds - support parents to understand the importance of removing the dummy when the child is awake. Model and explain how children learn through babbling, copying sounds and interaction and how dummies can reduce opportunities for speech practice
5. Support parents to encourage communication - guide parents to respond to their child’s sounds, gestures and words, reinforcing that these interactions are key to developing strong speech and language skills
6. Reassure parents not to force dummy use - offer reassurance that not all babies need or like a dummy. Support parents in following their child’s cues and preferences, such as using a blanket or soft toy
7. Provide guidance on hygiene – inform parents of the importance of regularly cleaning and sterilising dummies, particularly for younger babies, to reduce the risk of infection. Replace dummies every 4 to 6 weeks, or if they have become damaged
8. Advise against coating dummies with sweet substances - clearly explain to parents the risks of dipping dummies in sugar, honey or other sweet substances, highlighting the impact on dental health
9. Support gradual reduction after 6 months - help parents plan a gradual reduction in dummy use from around 6 months, explaining the benefits for speech and dental development
10. Help parents plan for stopping - work with parents to develop a realistic plan to stop dummy use by 12 months. Suggest alternative comfort strategies such as cuddles, reassurance and distraction, and encourage a gentle, consistent approach. If children are over 12 months, try setting up an exchange opportunity in nursery, such as leaving the dummy for the Easter bunny, replacing the dummy with a small laminated photo of their family for reassurance, etc.
NDNA products to support you with this tip
Exemplary practice with two year olds - Online course
Your essential guide to working with children under three - Publication
Use of dummies in nursery and sleep policy - Policies and procedures
Disclaimer: Activities with children must always be risk assessed, including for allergies or choking. Children must always have adequate supervision. Resources and materials
