Dummies - The balance between clinical recommendations and understanding dummies as a tool for soothing, sleep assistance and teething support.

Hello parents,

Back again, I’ve been asked to weigh in on the dummy debate - a topic which feels fraught. Mostly, because as a speech pathologist, I have clinical thoughts but as a parent, I can empathise - dummies can be a useful tool for soothing, sleep assistance and teething support.  While it feels like a topic that can generate hysteria and stress, there are guidelines that can help you make informed choices that work for your family. So, let me talk you through them.

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What are the actual concerns?

1. Reduced Opportunities for Vocalization ^{3, 4, 5}

The problem; dummies can inhibit a baby's ability to practice babbling, imitating sounds and engaging in verbal play which leads to fewer opportunities for vocal practice.

2. Altered Oral Structure and Function ^{1, 2}

The problem; long term dummy use (particularly beyond 2 years) can contribute to dental malocclusions (open bite, crossbite) and altered tongue resting posture. These alterations in the oral structure can interfere with normal speech production and oral motor skills.

‍3. Delayed Language Development ^{3, 4, 5}

The problem; excessive dummy use, particularly during waking hours may correlate with delays in expressive language (i.e., verbal output).

4. Social Communication Impact ^{3, 4, 5}

The problem; dummy use during waking hours may reduce parent–child verbal interactions and emotional engagement (e.g., fewer smiles, less eye contact, fewer shared vocalizations) which can subtly affect social language development (pragmatics).

5. Increased Risk of Acute and Recurrent Otitis Media (ear infections) ⁶

The problem; dummy use has been shown to increase the risk of ear infections which may* cause periods of reduced hearing which may also impact communication development.

Notice the word “may” throughout? That’s on purpose. While these are valid concerns, the research is not cut-and-dry. There’s no need to panic — or feel like you’ve “failed” your child if they love their dummy.

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TLDR: Here’s What to Keep in Mind

• Most of the concerns are about daytime dummy use - the hours when little ones are awake and could be soaking up language and social interaction.
  
  
• Dummies are not the villain in this story. They’re one piece of a big, complex developmental puzzle that includes parenting style, environment, and your child’s unique quirks and needs.

What Can You Do?

• Limit Daytime Dummy Time:

Try to reserve it for naps and bedtime, or in the case of extreme distress.

• Boost the Chat Time

Face-to-face time, reading books, singing songs — all of these help build strong language skills. Think of yourself as your child’s personal podcast.

• Ask for Help If You’re Unsure

Got questions about speech development? That’s what speech pathologists are for. Worried about your child’s teeth? Dentists are your people.

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The Cheat Sheet: Dummy Guidelines by Age

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Age Range

What the Experts Say

Before 6 weeks

Use sparingly while establishing feeding

6 weeks - 6 months

Generally okay for sleep and soothing

6 - 12 months

Time to start phasing it out during the day

12 - 18 months

Aim to say goodbye to the dummy altogether

Final Thoughts: You Know Your Kid Best

Guidelines are helpful, and recommendations are here for a reason. BUT every child is different, and every parent is doing their best with the tools they’ve got. Trust your instincts, be kind to yourself, and don’t be afraid to speak to a professional if you need some help - dummy or no dummy.

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References

¹Adair, S. M., Milano, M., Lorenzo, I., & Russell, C. (1998). Effects of current and former pacifier use on the dentition of 24- to 59-month-old children. Pediatric Dentistry, 20(1), 28–32. https://doi.org/10.1002/ajpa.1350200105

²American Speech-Language-Hearing Association. (2023). Oral Development and Speech.

³Dolan, E. W. (2024, July 8). Prolonged pacifier use linked to reduced vocabulary size in infants, new study finds. PsyPost. https://www.psypost.org/prolonged-pacifier-use-linked-to-reduced-vocabulary-size-in-infants-new-study-finds/

⁴Greenlee, S. (2024, December 2). Pacifiers and speech development. Sidekick Therapy Partners. https://www.mysidekicktherapy.com/blog/articles/effects-of-feeding-bottle-or-pacifier-on-speech-development

⁵Muñoz, L. E., Kartushina, N., & Mayor, J. (2024). Sustained pacifier use is associated with smaller vocabulary sizes at 1 and 2 years of age: A cross-sectional study. Developmental Science. https://doi.org/10.1111/desc.1347

⁶Niemelä, M., Rovers, M. M., & Blomgren, K. (2008). Is pacifier use a risk factor for acute otitis media? A dynamic cohort study. Family Practice, 25(4), 233–238. https://doi.org/10.1093/fampra/cmn042

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