Читать книгу Sister Lilian’s Babycare Companion: Complimentary and traditional care - Lilian Paramor - Страница 56

Sucking is an important reflex and although feeding from Mom or even the bottle can satisfy this, emotional suckling is a need that should be taken seriously. One should, of course, ensure that Baby is cuddled and comforted sufficiently in one’s arms, but some babies simply are higher need babies and dummy-sucking can soothe unnecessary or frequent tears for which there is no other obvious cause.

Breast babies often reject dummies, preferring Mom’s breast, although if you choose the correct size (offering one with a teat that is too big is a common mistake) and preferably one made of latex as opposed to silicone, there is a good chance that Baby will be happy. It may also disrupt effective latching in breast babies by confusing them with the different feel and shape of the ‘teat’. Choosing an orthodontic teat like the excellent ones made nowadays minimises any such problems.

If you are keen to breastfeed and if you want to avoid oral thrush in Baby at all costs, it would be better not to use a dummy.

Thorough cleaning of the dummy is important and sterilising solutions are best avoided in my experience, as the thrush organism can still be cultured in some of these. After washing thoroughly in soapy water, place in a container of just-boiled water for ten minutes and store in an airtight container.