1 minute read
Soothers
MAM’s experts Claire and Zoe answer some of my (Sarah) Questions on Soothers – hopefully answering some of your questions too!
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CLARE, WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF A SOOTHER?
Well, there are lots of benefits. Soothers can be used for many reasons, but their main aim is to soothe a baby to sleep, that’s been fully fed and winded, but is still finding it hard to settle down to sleep. They can also be a brilliant source of comfort to a baby who’s suffering from problems such as colic or reflux and they can give a mum a much-needed break if her baby keeps wanting to suck on her breast for comfort rather than because they’re still hungry. And finally, when you get to the point where your child no longer needs that extra comfort of sucking, it’s much easier to remove a soother than a thumb, and this view is certainly backed up by the British Orthodontic Society.
ZOE, WHAT SHOULD YOU CONSIDER WHEN CHOOSING A SOOTHER?
Not all soothers are created equal! Avoid soothers with a thick, round teat, as these can prevent the mouth from closing correctly. Instead, opt for a teat that’s flat in shape with a thin and flexible neck. MAM soothers are all designed alongside orthodontists.
CLARE, CAN YOU USE A SOOTHER FROM BIRTH?
Yes, I think it’s fine to introduce a soother as soon as it becomes apparent that the baby needs that extra comfort and is unable to settle without one. But it is really important only to use a soother when the baby has had all their needs met. You shouldn’t use it just to stop your baby crying when they’re crying to tell you that they’re still hungry.
ZOE, DO YOU HAVE ANYTHING TO ADD?
I breastfed both of my daughters until beyond two years old. To me, soothers were a great help. They were never used to replace breastfeeding but would help me settle them down so I could have a break or for practical reasons like driving the car.
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* The NHS state: If you do use a dummy, do not start until breastfeeding is well established
