Re: [ozmidwifery] thumb not dummy
I have often wondered if the attachment that adults have to the neck of bottles and sippers is a left over thumb or nipple sucking reflex!! Mine is healthyCheers Judy From: Ruth Cantrill <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Reply-To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] To: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Subject: Re: [ozmidwifery] thumb not dummy Date: Wed, 26 Feb 2003 13:20:12 +1000 Everyone has a personal opinion and or experience of thumb and or dummy. Most interesting. someone said "mothers get put under too much pressure to do or not to do one. Uhmm Is marketing and advertising considered as pressure??? Dummies, pacifiers, soothers everywhere - in gifts to new mothers in magazines on supermarket and chemist shelves. One would think it a normal human phenomena yet fingers and thumbs were created way long before the plastic thing. From an academic point have you all seen and read Binns, C Scott, J, (2002) Using pacifier: what are breastfeeding mothers doing? Breastfeeding Review, 10 (2) 21-25 so yes there are many facets to this topic and each parent needs to weigh up the evidence and blend to their individual parenting style. From a personal view point. Our family has a history of thumb sucking 3 out of 4 girls in a family of six were thumb suckers. 1 out of 2 of my daughters also was a thumb sucker (the other would suck only the breast) from birth and possibly in utero. Based on my knowledge (at the time) of coping and behavioral development of children I gradually and gently coaxed my 4 year old to stop sucking her thumb 1st in the day time by keeping busy and distracting and sticker rewards and eventually at night time by sticker chart rewards etc. If I had my time again I would not do that. That kind of management can be perceived by some child temperament types as nagging and who knows what else. I would leave her be and just show her love acceptance and validity and lead her to make the decision more at her own pace. I have known of adults who traded a dummy or thumb for smoking or other harmful substances. In comparison a thumb or dummy sucking habit is quite harmless and not disgusting at all as we seem to perceive it is after some certain age. that's my input on this topic anyway Ruth Ruth Cantrill From: "Maternity Ward Mareeba Hospital" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Reply-To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Date: Tue, 25 Feb 2003 20:42:55 +1000 To: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Subject: Re: [ozmidwifery] thumb not dummy I would have to agree with the genetic aspect. My mum needed braces as did I (not a thumbsucker) and my next sister also not a thumbsucker but the brother who was a thumbsucker had great teeth. Then my daughter who sucked until around 8 yrs old also needed braces and surgery for an oral cyst. Must admit, by that time I wished the thumb was a dummy so I could throw it away. I was dead against dummies but now, am not so sure. Thumbs also get really dirty by the time the child becomes self-propelled. Judy MSN Instant Messenger now available on Australian mobile phones. Find our more. -- This mailing list is sponsored by ACE Graphics. Visit to subscribe or unsubscribe.
Re: [ozmidwifery] thumb or dummy!?
Ann I do understand the trials of lowe supply and continual expressing etc. However you inferred that it might ??be better than abuse. With my second child I had low supply and post natal depression and I remember clearly bying into to the whole if I were a better mother I wouldnt use a dummy. This child lived at my breast. From him on I realised that my children love sucking, my five year old still wrecks his t shirts by chewing sucking onm them and he was an easy much loved baby who fed two hourly for 18months which I loved owing to my poor previous experience. In the big picture I think we should judge less and support more. what we do we do with love. I think dogmatic ideologies of good and bad is as bad when presented by the medical profession as it is by midwives or well meaning women. Belinda - Original Message - From: Ann green [EMAIL PROTECTED] To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Sent: Wednesday, February 26, 2003 9:53 AM Subject: Re: [ozmidwifery] thumb or dummy!? Dear Belinda, I was not trying to be offensive.I was trying to say that if a baby was crying that it was better to give a dummy than the parents becoming frustrated and harming the child.This does not mean that parents using dummies are lazy.I was blessed to have babies that had enough suckling at the breast(or a bottle of E.B.M which was needed for babes 4,5, and 6 for between 4-6 months until they were able to feed at the breast,a long hard haul for everyone -imagine expressing milk for this amount of time with no idea of when it will finish, sorry off the topic)Ann--- Belinda Maier [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: Ann the better than abuse thing is very offensive. My children have breastfed for two years are smart loved and emotionally well developed. They also had dummies apart from my two year old who sucks her thumb. They all had a strong desire to suck and the dummy gave them comfort as well as the two and more hour feeding at the breastfed my children also have healthy teeth. I am not slack or abusive and it really annoys me when judgements are made about dummies thumbs to use or not based on what one does for ones own. Choices are choices based on what a woman feels is best for her child. Michel ODent wrote an article on transcendental objects and said that their use is actually a sign of emotional stability, feeling ok enough to form attachments to such things. I used to allow myself to be made to feel bad as a mother because of my eldest use of a dummy, then my close friends son died of a brain tumour at two years old and her older daughter who had never used a dummy (because she bought into the whole its such a bad mothering thing to do) started to use one and did so until she was nine years old. She now says there are more important things about mothering than stressing about what others think you should be doing. By the way her daughters teeth are fine.The whole I.Q. research needs to be closely looked at for methodology and socioeconomic status of participants, parenting styles etc for it to be worth generalising. I get really fed up with peoples discourses of good mother bad mother, it brings down the confidence of many a good mother. Belinda, mother - Original Message - From: Ann green [EMAIL PROTECTED] To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Sent: Monday, February 24, 2003 10:10 AM Subject: Re: [ozmidwifery] thumb or dummy!? Dear List, Research was suppose to have shown that the use of dummies was associated with a lower I.Q.I have not used a dummy but understand that for some parents it might be a better choice than abuse.None of my 6 children have sucked thumbs either!Ann --- Jo Slamen [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: Thumbs allegedly don't affect teeth unless still in use at the age of permanent teeth coming through. My teeth are straight (no orthodontic work) and I was a thumb sucker - so much so that I had a callous on my thumb as a young child - stopped when I started primary school. My almost 4yo also a thumb child - his baby teeth are pretty ok looking and I find his thumb use is still useful for going to bed and getting him to sleep. Would also imagine trying to swap baby to a dummy probably won't work. I would relax about the thumb - does not indicate any emotional problems and it's likely to be in use for comfort rather than teething too, I believe. And just to add some personal bias I think thumbs look better than dummies too! Jo Slamen - Original Message - From: J Stewart To: ozmid Cc: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Sent: Monday, February 24, 2003 12:12 AM Subject: [ozmidwifery] thumb or dummy!? Dear List(s)! Just looking for a little bit of general advice on an old debate! I have a six month old baby cousin [very cute
Re: [ozmidwifery] thumb not dummy
I would have to agree with the genetic aspect. My mum needed braces as did I (not a thumbsucker) and my next sister also not a thumbsucker but the brother who was a thumbsucker had great teeth. Then my daughter who sucked until around 8 yrs old also needed braces and surgery for an oral cyst. Must admit, by that time I wished the thumb was a dummy so I could throw it away. I was dead against dummies but now, am not so sure. Thumbs also get really dirty by the time the child becomes self-propelled. Judy [EMAIL PROTECTED] 24/02/2003 7:23:11 pm Hi, My son, aged 4.5, was seen sucking his thumb on ultrasound at 18 weeks. Nearly 5 years later, he's still going much to our delight! Never had we had dummies for our last two, as our oldest had lots of trouble getting rid of hers. The youngest prefers to suck nothing, and that's cool too. Both boys were breastfed beyond 14 months. But Nathan still sucks his thumb, and with the other hand holds his earlobe, when tired. His teeth are perfect, and it is something he cannot lose at the shops or anything. He only sucks it late in the day, near bedtime, which is fine by us. My cousin is a dentist, but earlier in life was seen forever with her thumb in her mouth. She ended up needing braces (as did her 5 non-thumb-sucking sisters) and swears to this day that it was genetic, not thumb-induced. We love non-dummy households! And thumbs are fine by us. It's just one of those things (like co-sleeping) that people think we are strange for supporting - but each family is individual and so is each child, so who are the experts here? Seeya Janine ** This e-mail, including any attachments sent with it, is confidential and for the sole use of the intended recipient(s). This confidentiality is not waived or lost if you receive it and you are not the intended recipient(s), or if it is transmitted/ received in error. Any unauthorised use, alteration, disclosure, distribution or review of this e-mail is prohibited. It may be subject to a statutory duty of confidentiality if it relates to health service matters. If you are not the intended recipient(s), or if you have received this e-mail in error, you are asked to immediately notify the sender by telephone or by return e-mail. You should also delete this e-mail message and destroy any hard copies produced. ** -- This mailing list is sponsored by ACE Graphics. Visit http://www.acegraphics.com.au to subscribe or unsubscribe.
Re: [ozmidwifery] thumb or dummy!?
Dear Belinda, I was not trying to be offensive.I was trying to say that if a baby was crying that it was better to give a dummy than the parents becoming frustrated and harming the child.This does not mean that parents using dummies are lazy.I was blessed to have babies that had enough suckling at the breast(or a bottle of E.B.M which was needed for babes 4,5, and 6 for between 4-6 months until they were able to feed at the breast,a long hard haul for everyone -imagine expressing milk for this amount of time with no idea of when it will finish, sorry off the topic)Ann--- Belinda Maier [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: Ann the better than abuse thing is very offensive. My children have breastfed for two years are smart loved and emotionally well developed. They also had dummies apart from my two year old who sucks her thumb. They all had a strong desire to suck and the dummy gave them comfort as well as the two and more hour feeding at the breastfed my children also have healthy teeth. I am not slack or abusive and it really annoys me when judgements are made about dummies thumbs to use or not based on what one does for ones own. Choices are choices based on what a woman feels is best for her child. Michel ODent wrote an article on transcendental objects and said that their use is actually a sign of emotional stability, feeling ok enough to form attachments to such things. I used to allow myself to be made to feel bad as a mother because of my eldest use of a dummy, then my close friends son died of a brain tumour at two years old and her older daughter who had never used a dummy (because she bought into the whole its such a bad mothering thing to do) started to use one and did so until she was nine years old. She now says there are more important things about mothering than stressing about what others think you should be doing. By the way her daughters teeth are fine.The whole I.Q. research needs to be closely looked at for methodology and socioeconomic status of participants, parenting styles etc for it to be worth generalising. I get really fed up with peoples discourses of good mother bad mother, it brings down the confidence of many a good mother. Belinda, mother - Original Message - From: Ann green [EMAIL PROTECTED] To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Sent: Monday, February 24, 2003 10:10 AM Subject: Re: [ozmidwifery] thumb or dummy!? Dear List, Research was suppose to have shown that the use of dummies was associated with a lower I.Q.I have not used a dummy but understand that for some parents it might be a better choice than abuse.None of my 6 children have sucked thumbs either!Ann --- Jo Slamen [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: Thumbs allegedly don't affect teeth unless still in use at the age of permanent teeth coming through. My teeth are straight (no orthodontic work) and I was a thumb sucker - so much so that I had a callous on my thumb as a young child - stopped when I started primary school. My almost 4yo also a thumb child - his baby teeth are pretty ok looking and I find his thumb use is still useful for going to bed and getting him to sleep. Would also imagine trying to swap baby to a dummy probably won't work. I would relax about the thumb - does not indicate any emotional problems and it's likely to be in use for comfort rather than teething too, I believe. And just to add some personal bias I think thumbs look better than dummies too! Jo Slamen - Original Message - From: J Stewart To: ozmid Cc: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Sent: Monday, February 24, 2003 12:12 AM Subject: [ozmidwifery] thumb or dummy!? Dear List(s)! Just looking for a little bit of general advice on an old debate! I have a six month old baby cousin [very cute!] she has taken to sucking her thumb as she is starting to get some toothy pegs! and her mum is not in favour of giving her a dummy. I was wondering what opinions are on this? I would think that sucking thumbs could effect tooth development and the direction/position in which they grow, as well as forming a hard to kick habbit in todlers, but have also heard interesting points against dummies. Any thoughts!? Thanks in advance! Jessica. __ Do You Yahoo!? Everything you'll ever need on one web page from News and Sport to Email and Music Charts http://uk.my.yahoo.com -- This mailing list is sponsored by ACE Graphics. Visit http://www.acegraphics.com.au to subscribe or unsubscribe. -- This mailing list is sponsored by ACE Graphics. Visit http://www.acegraphics.com.au to subscribe or unsubscribe. __ Do You Yahoo!? Everything you'll ever need on one web page from News and Sport to Email and Music Charts http
Re: [ozmidwifery] thumb not dummy
Everyone has a personal opinion and or experience of thumb and or dummy. Most interesting. someone said mothers get put under too much pressure to do or not to do one. Uhmm Is marketing and advertising considered as pressure??? Dummies, pacifiers, soothers everywhere - in gifts to new mothers in magazines on supermarket and chemist shelves. One would think it a normal human phenomena yet fingers and thumbs were created way long before the plastic thing. From an academic point have you all seen and read Binns, C Scott, J, (2002) Using pacifier: what are breastfeeding mothers doing? Breastfeeding Review, 10 (2) 21-25 so yes there are many facets to this topic and each parent needs to weigh up the evidence and blend to their individual parenting style. From a personal view point. Our family has a history of thumb sucking 3 out of 4 girls in a family of six were thumb suckers. 1 out of 2 of my daughters also was a thumb sucker (the other would suck only the breast) from birth and possibly in utero. Based on my knowledge (at the time) of coping and behavioral development of children I gradually and gently coaxed my 4 year old to stop sucking her thumb 1st in the day time by keeping busy and distracting and sticker rewards and eventually at night time by sticker chart rewards etc. If I had my time again I would not do that. That kind of management can be perceived by some child temperament types as nagging and who knows what else. I would leave her be and just show her love acceptance and validity and lead her to make the decision more at her own pace. I have known of adults who traded a dummy or thumb for smoking or other harmful substances. In comparison a thumb or dummy sucking habit is quite harmless and not disgusting at all as we seem to perceive it is after some certain age. that's my input on this topic anyway Ruth Ruth Cantrill From: Maternity Ward Mareeba Hospital [EMAIL PROTECTED] Reply-To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Date: Tue, 25 Feb 2003 20:42:55 +1000 To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subject: Re: [ozmidwifery] thumb not dummy I would have to agree with the genetic aspect. My mum needed braces as did I (not a thumbsucker) and my next sister also not a thumbsucker but the brother who was a thumbsucker had great teeth. Then my daughter who sucked until around 8 yrs old also needed braces and surgery for an oral cyst. Must admit, by that time I wished the thumb was a dummy so I could throw it away. I was dead against dummies but now, am not so sure. Thumbs also get really dirty by the time the child becomes self-propelled. Judy [EMAIL PROTECTED] 24/02/2003 7:23:11 pm Hi, My son, aged 4.5, was seen sucking his thumb on ultrasound at 18 weeks. Nearly 5 years later, he's still going much to our delight! Never had we had dummies for our last two, as our oldest had lots of trouble getting rid of hers. The youngest prefers to suck nothing, and that's cool too. Both boys were breastfed beyond 14 months. But Nathan still sucks his thumb, and with the other hand holds his earlobe, when tired. His teeth are perfect, and it is something he cannot lose at the shops or anything. He only sucks it late in the day, near bedtime, which is fine by us. My cousin is a dentist, but earlier in life was seen forever with her thumb in her mouth. She ended up needing braces (as did her 5 non-thumb-sucking sisters) and swears to this day that it was genetic, not thumb-induced. We love non-dummy households! And thumbs are fine by us. It's just one of those things (like co-sleeping) that people think we are strange for supporting - but each family is individual and so is each child, so who are the experts here? Seeya Janine ** This e-mail, including any attachments sent with it, is confidential and for the sole use of the intended recipient(s). This confidentiality is not waived or lost if you receive it and you are not the intended recipient(s), or if it is transmitted/ received in error. Any unauthorised use, alteration, disclosure, distribution or review of this e-mail is prohibited. It may be subject to a statutory duty of confidentiality if it relates to health service matters. If you are not the intended recipient(s), or if you have received this e-mail in error, you are asked to immediately notify the sender by telephone or by return e-mail. You should also delete this e-mail message and destroy any hard copies produced. ** -- This mailing list is sponsored by ACE Graphics. Visit http://www.acegraphics.com.au to subscribe or unsubscribe. -- This mailing list is sponsored by ACE Graphics. Visit http://www.acegraphics.com.au to subscribe or unsubscribe.
Re: [ozmidwifery] thumb or dummy!?
Dummy, Television, Bouncinettes, Learning to climb out of cot and turn on video at 3, etc, they're all the same. I consider them to be tools of the trade. They supplemented my parenting skills by giving me some space to catch my breath. I'm eternally grateful for all of them and not for one second would I consider that my girls ( deliciously revolting teenagers who adore their parents) were ever compromised psychologically by them. It's a bit like that verse in the Old Testament that tells us 'wine was made to gladden the hearts of men'. ( oh, where is that again?) A little, used judiciously is great, too much can be a different tale. *gets off short stubby soap box and wanders away*.. probably to put thumb in mouth to ponder dinner... Robin p.s, Love the Michel Odent quote. He always makes me feel ' normal '. - Original Message - From: Ann green [EMAIL PROTECTED] To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Sent: Wednesday, February 26, 2003 10:53 AM Subject: Re: [ozmidwifery] thumb or dummy!? Dear Belinda, I was not trying to be offensive.I was trying to say that if a baby was crying that it was better to give a dummy than the parents becoming frustrated and harming the child.This does not mean that parents using dummies are lazy.I was blessed to have babies that had enough suckling at the breast(or a bottle of E.B.M which was needed for babes 4,5, and 6 for between 4-6 months until they were able to feed at the breast,a long hard haul for everyone -imagine expressing milk for this amount of time with no idea of when it will finish, sorry off the topic)Ann--- Belinda Maier [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: Ann the better than abuse thing is very offensive. My children have breastfed for two years are smart loved and emotionally well developed. They also had dummies apart from my two year old who sucks her thumb. They all had a strong desire to suck and the dummy gave them comfort as well as the two and more hour feeding at the breastfed my children also have healthy teeth. I am not slack or abusive and it really annoys me when judgements are made about dummies thumbs to use or not based on what one does for ones own. Choices are choices based on what a woman feels is best for her child. Michel ODent wrote an article on transcendental objects and said that their use is actually a sign of emotional stability, feeling ok enough to form attachments to such things. I used to allow myself to be made to feel bad as a mother because of my eldest use of a dummy, then my close friends son died of a brain tumour at two years old and her older daughter who had never used a dummy (because she bought into the whole its such a bad mothering thing to do) started to use one and did so until she was nine years old. She now says there are more important things about mothering than stressing about what others think you should be doing. By the way her daughters teeth are fine.The whole I.Q. research needs to be closely looked at for methodology and socioeconomic status of participants, parenting styles etc for it to be worth generalising. I get really fed up with peoples discourses of good mother bad mother, it brings down the confidence of many a good mother. Belinda, mother - Original Message - From: Ann green [EMAIL PROTECTED] To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Sent: Monday, February 24, 2003 10:10 AM Subject: Re: [ozmidwifery] thumb or dummy!? Dear List, Research was suppose to have shown that the use of dummies was associated with a lower I.Q.I have not used a dummy but understand that for some parents it might be a better choice than abuse.None of my 6 children have sucked thumbs either!Ann --- Jo Slamen [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: Thumbs allegedly don't affect teeth unless still in use at the age of permanent teeth coming through. My teeth are straight (no orthodontic work) and I was a thumb sucker - so much so that I had a callous on my thumb as a young child - stopped when I started primary school. My almost 4yo also a thumb child - his baby teeth are pretty ok looking and I find his thumb use is still useful for going to bed and getting him to sleep. Would also imagine trying to swap baby to a dummy probably won't work. I would relax about the thumb - does not indicate any emotional problems and it's likely to be in use for comfort rather than teething too, I believe. And just to add some personal bias I think thumbs look better than dummies too! Jo Slamen - Original Message - From: J Stewart To: ozmid Cc: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Sent: Monday, February 24, 2003 12:12 AM Subject: [ozmidwifery] thumb or dummy!? Dear List(s)! Just looking for a little bit of general advice on an old debate! I have a six month old baby
RE: [ozmidwifery] thumb or dummy!?
Dear Jessica, When my son decided to suck his thumb, we would just remove it from his mouth and say firmly we do not suck our thumb in this house. My daughter (2 years older than her baby brother) also would do it. We had the habit broken with the month probably because we didnt give it time to become a habit!! He just moved on to the next problem of which we have yet to cure him verbal diarrhoea! (he is now 15yrs). Cant remember how old he was during the thumb sucking incident, but I think he was between 3 and 6 months of age, neither of my children had dummies and they both talked early and verbosely!. They both have also had braces on their teeth! Cheers, Edwina J -Original Message- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of J Stewart Sent: Sunday, 23 February 2003 11:43 PM To: ozmid Cc: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subject: [ozmidwifery] thumb or dummy!? Dear List(s)! Just looking for a little bit of general advice on an old debate! I have a six month old baby cousin [very cute!] she has taken to sucking her thumb as she is starting toget some toothy pegs!and her mum is not in favour of giving her a dummy. I was wondering what opinions are on this? I would think that sucking thumbs could effect tooth development and the direction/position in which they grow, as well as forming a hard to kick habbit in todlers, but have also heard interesting points against dummies. Any thoughts!? Thanks in advance! Jessica.
Re: [ozmidwifery] thumb or dummy!?
Each to their own. If this is the worst habit she picks up - they will be lucky parents!! Having declared quite loudly that no child of mine would ever go down the street or even worse have photos taken with a dummy in - my second son has defeated me at the moment. I think it is a comfort thing especially with new baby as well in the house. I just go with the flow at the moment, no need to get stressed. Cheryl From: J Stewart [EMAIL PROTECTED] Reply-To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] To: ozmid [EMAIL PROTECTED] CC: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subject: [ozmidwifery] thumb or dummy!? Date: Sun, 23 Feb 2003 23:42:50 +1030 Dear List(s)! Just looking for a little bit of general advice on an old debate! I have a six month old baby cousin [very cute!] she has taken to sucking her thumb as she is starting to get some toothy pegs! and her mum is not in favour of giving her a dummy. I was wondering what opinions are on this? I would think that sucking thumbs could effect tooth development and the direction/position in which they grow, as well as forming a hard to kick habbit in todlers, but have also heard interesting points against dummies. Any thoughts!? Thanks in advance! Jessica. _ MSN Instant Messenger now available on Australian mobile phones. Go to http://ninemsn.com.au/mobilecentral/hotmail_messenger.asp -- This mailing list is sponsored by ACE Graphics. Visit http://www.acegraphics.com.au to subscribe or unsubscribe.
[ozmidwifery] thumb or dummy!?
Dear List(s)! Just looking for a little bit of general advice on an old debate! I have a six month old baby cousin [very cute!] she has taken to sucking her thumb as she is starting toget some toothy pegs!and her mum is not in favour of giving her a dummy. I was wondering what opinions are on this? I would think that sucking thumbs could effect tooth development and the direction/position in which they grow, as well as forming a hard to kick habbit in todlers, but have also heard interesting points against dummies. Any thoughts!? Thanks in advance! Jessica.
Re: [ozmidwifery] thumb or dummy!?
Thumbs allegedly don't affect teeth unless still in use at the age of permanent teeth coming through. My teeth are straight (no orthodontic work) and I was a thumb sucker - so much so that I had a callous on my thumb as a young child - stopped when I started primary school. My almost 4yo also a thumb child - his baby teeth are pretty ok looking and I find his thumb use is still useful for going to bed and getting him to sleep. Would also imagine trying to swap baby to a dummy probably won't work. I would relax about the thumb - does not indicate any emotional problems and it's likely to be in use for comfort rather than teething too, I believe. And just to add some personal bias I think thumbs look better than dummies too! Jo Slamen - Original Message - From: J Stewart To: ozmid Cc: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Sent: Monday, February 24, 2003 12:12 AM Subject: [ozmidwifery] thumb or dummy!? Dear List(s)! Just looking for a little bit of general advice on an old debate! I have a six month old baby cousin [very cute!] she has taken to sucking her thumb as she is starting toget some toothy pegs!and her mum is not in favour of giving her a dummy. I was wondering what opinions are on this? I would think that sucking thumbs could effect tooth development and the direction/position in which they grow, as well as forming a hard to kick habbit in todlers, but have also heard interesting points against dummies. Any thoughts!? Thanks in advance! Jessica.
[ozmidwifery] Thumb not dummy
My wife and I personally choose not to use a dummy. Our boy is 8 months and sometimes he sucks fingers, but it is never for any duration and seems to be when his teeth are coming through. We spoke with our Midwife and she advised us that there was nothing to worry about if he was suckingfingers or thumb. I also read on a website that the thumb sucking was usually associated with "Breast" anxiety ( due to being weaned too early). Whether or not this is true I don't know. I haven't yet found any research that suggests dental problems associated with thumb sucking. darren
Re: [ozmidwifery] thumb or dummy!?
Dear List, Research was suppose to have shown that the use of dummies was associated with a lower I.Q.I have not used a dummy but understand that for some parents it might be a better choice than abuse.None of my 6 children have sucked thumbs either!Ann --- Jo Slamen [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: Thumbs allegedly don't affect teeth unless still in use at the age of permanent teeth coming through. My teeth are straight (no orthodontic work) and I was a thumb sucker - so much so that I had a callous on my thumb as a young child - stopped when I started primary school. My almost 4yo also a thumb child - his baby teeth are pretty ok looking and I find his thumb use is still useful for going to bed and getting him to sleep. Would also imagine trying to swap baby to a dummy probably won't work. I would relax about the thumb - does not indicate any emotional problems and it's likely to be in use for comfort rather than teething too, I believe. And just to add some personal bias I think thumbs look better than dummies too! Jo Slamen - Original Message - From: J Stewart To: ozmid Cc: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Sent: Monday, February 24, 2003 12:12 AM Subject: [ozmidwifery] thumb or dummy!? Dear List(s)! Just looking for a little bit of general advice on an old debate! I have a six month old baby cousin [very cute!] she has taken to sucking her thumb as she is starting to get some toothy pegs! and her mum is not in favour of giving her a dummy. I was wondering what opinions are on this? I would think that sucking thumbs could effect tooth development and the direction/position in which they grow, as well as forming a hard to kick habbit in todlers, but have also heard interesting points against dummies. Any thoughts!? Thanks in advance! Jessica. __ Do You Yahoo!? Everything you'll ever need on one web page from News and Sport to Email and Music Charts http://uk.my.yahoo.com -- This mailing list is sponsored by ACE Graphics. Visit http://www.acegraphics.com.au to subscribe or unsubscribe.
Re: [ozmidwifery] thumb or dummy!?
Ann the better than abuse thing is very offensive. My children have breastfed for two years are smart loved and emotionally well developed. They also had dummies apart from my two year old who sucks her thumb. They all had a strong desire to suck and the dummy gave them comfort as well as the two and more hour feeding at the breastfed my children also have healthy teeth. I am not slack or abusive and it really annoys me when judgements are made about dummies thumbs to use or not based on what one does for ones own. Choices are choices based on what a woman feels is best for her child. Michel ODent wrote an article on transcendental objects and said that their use is actually a sign of emotional stability, feeling ok enough to form attachments to such things. I used to allow myself to be made to feel bad as a mother because of my eldest use of a dummy, then my close friends son died of a brain tumour at two years old and her older daughter who had never used a dummy (because she bought into the whole its such a bad mothering thing to do) started to use one and did so until she was nine years old. She now says there are more important things about mothering than stressing about what others think you should be doing. By the way her daughters teeth are fine.The whole I.Q. research needs to be closely looked at for methodology and socioeconomic status of participants, parenting styles etc for it to be worth generalising. I get really fed up with peoples discourses of good mother bad mother, it brings down the confidence of many a good mother. Belinda, mother - Original Message - From: Ann green [EMAIL PROTECTED] To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Sent: Monday, February 24, 2003 10:10 AM Subject: Re: [ozmidwifery] thumb or dummy!? Dear List, Research was suppose to have shown that the use of dummies was associated with a lower I.Q.I have not used a dummy but understand that for some parents it might be a better choice than abuse.None of my 6 children have sucked thumbs either!Ann --- Jo Slamen [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: Thumbs allegedly don't affect teeth unless still in use at the age of permanent teeth coming through. My teeth are straight (no orthodontic work) and I was a thumb sucker - so much so that I had a callous on my thumb as a young child - stopped when I started primary school. My almost 4yo also a thumb child - his baby teeth are pretty ok looking and I find his thumb use is still useful for going to bed and getting him to sleep. Would also imagine trying to swap baby to a dummy probably won't work. I would relax about the thumb - does not indicate any emotional problems and it's likely to be in use for comfort rather than teething too, I believe. And just to add some personal bias I think thumbs look better than dummies too! Jo Slamen - Original Message - From: J Stewart To: ozmid Cc: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Sent: Monday, February 24, 2003 12:12 AM Subject: [ozmidwifery] thumb or dummy!? Dear List(s)! Just looking for a little bit of general advice on an old debate! I have a six month old baby cousin [very cute!] she has taken to sucking her thumb as she is starting to get some toothy pegs! and her mum is not in favour of giving her a dummy. I was wondering what opinions are on this? I would think that sucking thumbs could effect tooth development and the direction/position in which they grow, as well as forming a hard to kick habbit in todlers, but have also heard interesting points against dummies. Any thoughts!? Thanks in advance! Jessica. __ Do You Yahoo!? Everything you'll ever need on one web page from News and Sport to Email and Music Charts http://uk.my.yahoo.com -- This mailing list is sponsored by ACE Graphics. Visit http://www.acegraphics.com.au to subscribe or unsubscribe. -- This mailing list is sponsored by ACE Graphics. Visit http://www.acegraphics.com.au to subscribe or unsubscribe.
Re: [ozmidwifery] Thumb not dummy
Well, Katelyn was born at 27 weeks and they gave her a (tiny) dummy to help her sucking reflex develop. At about 6 months old she decided that there really wan't anything in it and spat it out so i just did not force her to have it and she didn't seem to mind so that was the end of it. She never sucked her thumb or fingers either. George refused to take anything in his mouth except the real thing ( nipple!) Could not even comp feed him if I wanted to until he was 8 months old and by then we never worried about a dummy and he also never sucked his thumb or fingers even though as a small baby he fel asleep at the breast. Maybe I was just lucky. I think if you are going to use a dummy then it is fine so long as you are not incesantly shoving it into a happy babies mouth. you see the baby sitting in the pram looking about really happy and then Mum notices the dummy beside him/her and picks it up and shoves it in. WHY? Just in case he/she wants it? Just coz it loks good? It is beyond me. I think Dummies are fine so long as they are used with general common sence and not forced into the babies mouth at every opportunity. They can help to get wind up as sucking may help a baby with wind. they can be used to comfort for short peoriods to hold off a feed when trying to change babies routine but I really don't agree with them being used all day and night. Once asleep, take it out. Why does a baby need to sleep sucking something all night? That is a learned thing that parents teach their baby. So why teach it?? Hope that helps Rhonda ---Original Message--- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Date: Monday, February 24, 2003 10:11:34 To: Ozmidwifery Subject: [ozmidwifery] Thumb not dummy My wife and I personally choose not to use a dummy. Our boy is 8 months and sometimes he sucks fingers, but it is never for any duration and seems to be when his teeth are coming through. We spoke with our Midwife and she advised us that there was nothing to worry about if he was suckingfingers or thumb. I also read on a website that the thumb sucking was usually associated with "Breast" anxiety ( due to being weaned too early). Whether or not this is true I don't know. I haven't yet found any research that suggests dental problems associated with thumb sucking. darren IncrediMail - Email has finally evolved - Click Here
RE: [ozmidwifery] thumb or dummy!?
As a mother and a midwife I say do what suits. I personally would not give a dummy at 6 mths. baby can find a thumb, not so a dummy. Less hunting around and trauma when the dummy has been left behind. Thumb also more hygienic. dentists do blame both thumbs and dummies for dental problems. If you are going to use a dummy steer clear of the orthondic ones. Good old fashioned 'cherry' type best. All my lot had dummies, youngest could get 2 in, and try a 3rd. All 'off' them by about 2, no dental problems, no great traumas. Friend's kid had a dummy till about 6. Teeth were a little bucked, but went to normal once the dummy removed. I think there is far too much pressure on mum's. DO WHAT FEELS RIGHT FOR YOU. Maureen -Original Message-From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]On Behalf Of J StewartSent: Monday, February 24, 2003 12:13 AMTo: ozmidCc: [EMAIL PROTECTED]Subject: [ozmidwifery] thumb or dummy!? Dear List(s)! Just looking for a little bit of general advice on an old debate! I have a six month old baby cousin [very cute!] she has taken to sucking her thumb as she is starting toget some toothy pegs!and her mum is not in favour of giving her a dummy. I was wondering what opinions are on this? I would think that sucking thumbs could effect tooth development and the direction/position in which they grow, as well as forming a hard to kick habbit in todlers, but have also heard interesting points against dummies. Any thoughts!? Thanks in advance! Jessica.
Re: [ozmidwifery] thumb or dummy!?
Just my 2c worth. I swore whilst I was pregnant with my first that I would NOT use a dummy but alas as you can see further down, this did not occur. I also agree to a previous reply about research showing that babies that use dummies have a lower IQ, I find it offensive. I have four children. My first had a dummy as he was a very 'sucky' baby at birth and although tried to introduce his thumb, he was not interested. The next two both had dummies and all three have weaned themselves prior to six months. And all my children are above average IQ, especially No. 2. The only dental problems to date is that my 3rd baby has a very small mouth and therefore teeth are very crowded. My 4th is currently 10 months and only has a dummy at night, it is attached via a small (to prevent strangle etc.) and he is able to find it if lost etc. It does also come in handy if timing for feeding is a bit off and we have to wait for his feed. Most research does tend to suggest that a thumb is better. I think a lot of the studies do not take into account the many many variables such as, family history of dental problems, size of childs mouth such as my daughters, etc. I believe that there are both pros and cons in regards to the day to day use such as if you lose the dummy etc., you can't lose a thumb. My opinion is that as babies do lose their baby teeth, that maybe it is more of an issue with an older child whilst their adult teeth are coming, which would be when they start losing their baby teeth. There is so much debate regarding so many options that are there for anything regarding 'how to do this or that' and all it really serves to do is confuse mothers and make them feel like a 'bad' mother if using any options that are suggested inadvisable and makes other mothers feel that they are the best mothers because they opt for all the 'best' options for their child, and yet lack in some of the more important parts of being a parent. Sorry for the long reply but just had to add my 2c. -- Yours in Childbirth and with the Love of Friendship Rita «¤¤ÐÈ£ÏVÊR¥·WÓMÄѤ¤» Mother of David 13, Haydie 11, Alysha 10 and Baby Tyler 8 months Registered Nurse, Student Midwife (currently in hiatus due to injury), Aspiring CBE and Doula - Original Message From: J Stewart [EMAIL PROTECTED] To: ozmid [EMAIL PROTECTED] Cc: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subject: [ozmidwifery] thumb or dummy!? Date: 23/02/03 23:45 Dear List(s)! nbsp; Just looking for a little bit of general advice on an old debate! I have a six month old baby cousin [very cute!] she has taken to sucking her thumb as she is starting tonbsp;get some toothy pegs!nbsp;and her mum is not in favour of giving her a dummy. I was wondering what opinions are on this? I would think that sucking thumbs could effect tooth development and the direction/position in which they grow, as well as forming a hard to kick habbit in todlers, but have also heard interesting points against dummies. nbsp; Any thoughts!? nbsp; Thanks in advance! Jessica. -- This mailing list is sponsored by ACE Graphics. Visit http://www.acegraphics.com.au to subscribe or unsubscribe.
[ozmidwifery] thumb or dummy
Just a funny note, when my eldest(now 27) was little, she used to have great fun catching the dummy between her teeth and then with great force spitting the dummy high over the cot sides, Stay with me , it really gets better. At the time we had a HUGE great dane/boxer cross dog. Weighed in at about 18 stone. One day I cought him on the grass outside, eyes shut in absolute bliss with a cute pink dummy in the mouth, sucking for all he was worth. I neally fell over laughing. Judy attachment: Notebook.jpg
Re: [ozmidwifery] thumb or dummy!?
I also think it boils down to what works for the mum and baby. That being said I have from time to time been quite revolted by how some parents use dummies: as a kind of plug to still the crying. Definetly not saying all parents who use dummies do this but have personally seen it done. I have also seen thumbsuckers self soothing in a corner while the parents seemingly ignore their needs. I think most dentists now decry as a myth the idea that thumb sucking causes misalignment of teeth. My eldest was a thumb sucker from 3 months to the day and it had nothing to do with weaning, maybe an overabundant supply and just a need for more sucking: she would push the breast away and put in her thumb until she fell asleep. She stopped sucking her thumb close to the time of starting primary school. My other 2 didn't suck anything, stroked their own hair again from about 3 months the little hand would go up to a particular tuft of hair and stroke. Still happens at 22yrs. None of my kids have had or needed braces, I should have but didn't and wasn't a thumb sucker. So, I wouldn't advise substituting one for the other on the basis of future teeth problems, more on how it fits with the mum and baby's needs. marilyn - Original Message - From: J Stewart To: ozmid Cc: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Sent: Sunday, February 23, 2003 5:12 AM Subject: [ozmidwifery] thumb or dummy!? Dear List(s)! Just looking for a little bit of general advice on an old debate! I have a six month old baby cousin [very cute!] she has taken to sucking her thumb as she is starting toget some toothy pegs!and her mum is not in favour of giving her a dummy. I was wondering what opinions are on this? I would think that sucking thumbs could effect tooth development and the direction/position in which they grow, as well as forming a hard to kick habbit in todlers, but have also heard interesting points against dummies. Any thoughts!? Thanks in advance! Jessica.
Re: [ozmidwifery] Thumb not dummy
Would like to add my thumb-sucking almost 4yo son was breastfed until 22 months, when he began sucking his thumb at 5 months he was fully breastfed, round the clock and no solids - weight on the 97th percentile. Definitely getting plenty of the good stuff. It seems a lot of material is written from so-called "professional's" personal experiences as well as what they have learnt/studied/observed - and it's all too easy to assume that a baby or child using a dummy/thumb/blankie etc., is somehow inferior or less secure thana child who does not. I don't see how mother's practices contribute to this state of affairs in the vast mojority of cases. I think the thing is that all kids/babies are different - my 2nd son sucked his thumb from day one until he was 5 months old - then stopped - he's now just under 11 months old and doesn't suck anything regularly (except breast of course). I also read on a website that the thumb sucking was usually associated with "Breast" anxiety ( due to being weaned too early). Whether or not this is true I don't know.
