Dummies and your child's development

What happens in the first few years of a child’s life can shape their whole life.

A dummy can interfere with a child’s ability to talk and affect your child’s speech development and create arched teeth. There are lots of ways to get rid of a dummy.

It's common to have questions and face setbacks as your child learns this new skill.

Find out what works for your child and you, some children may not want to give their dummy up.

Further information and advice

Our speech, language and communication section has further information on speech, language and communication in children.

The Institute of Health Visitors has resources for supporting your child to stop using bottles and dummies.

It has information on when and why it is recommended you stop using bottles and dummies and some useful tips for doing this. It also covers using a dummy if you are breast or chest feeding.

Tiny happy people has information on when and how to wean your baby from the dummy.

Information and support in York

In York, the Healthy Child Service can answer questions and provide support for dummy use and can refer to professionals for further support if required.

If you have any questions or worries, you can call the Healthy Child Service on telephone: 01904 555475, Monday to Friday 9.00am to 4.30pm, or email: [email protected].

The Speech and Language Therapy Team at York Hospital provide specialist advice and support the development of children and young people who present with speech, language, communication, eating and drinking difficulties.