Dummy

[mats01_99]

Hi all, I have a 20month old daughter who is a little fond of her soother. It is only at bed times and she drops off almost instantly when she has it which is great. However she has started to get a rash around the mouth from it. I ensure she has a clean one every night and try to slip it out when she's asleep. My question is should I be thinking of weaning her off of it even though it gives her such comfort?, if so, how?! If not, is there a particular brand that I could try that may be kinder to her face?

[andy-hughes]

i wouldn't try weaning her off it just yet - it may cause more problems than it solves, and she will come off it naturally in time.

It may be she is allergic to the material it's made of - try a number of different brands and see if one works.

Otherwise, a dab of barrier cream or vaseline round her mouth at bed-time may help.

Bet she's a little poppet!

[Psychick]

I agree with andy on using a barrier cream. It sounds to me like its just from her dribbling. If it was the material of the dummy, she wouldve had problems sooner unless she has a new dummy and its a brand she hasnt had before.

[redcrx]

if its the same brand youve always used then id say its excessive dribbling, she may well be teething.

Use a barrier cream as suggested and if that doesnt help at all then perhaps try to wean her off if you can.

[ethanryan]

hi i had the same problem with my son who is 22 months. when he was 18 months he used to have it for bed only but like your daughter he used to get a rash. my health visitor said it is because he dont swallow properly when he has his dummy in which means he starts to dribble which is making his mouth sore this made me think about taking his dummy off him so i thought i would give it a try. i put him to bed and when he asked for it i just said mommy will get it in a bit, i sat on his bed with him and read him a story- no actually it was 5 stories in the end. but he just fell asleep listening and has never asked for it since.
i read him stories for about a week then he just went to bed on his own and was fine. try it. i believe it is never too early plus the dentist advised me that sucking on a dummy can eventually start to push there front teeth forward.