Dummies, soothers, pacifiers – whatever you know them as we make it easy for you to choose one that works in harmony with your baby’s development.
Considering giving your baby a dummy?
Few people plan on giving their baby a dummy, it’s not our plan A, but sometimes it is simply needed and there is absolutely nothing wrong with that.
However, it is important that you do your research and make sure you choose one that works with your baby’s natural development. After all, a happy baby means happy parents!
This guide is for you if you are considering a dummy and:
- You’re worried it could lead to other problems such as breathing issues – or jaw and tooth displacements
- You want to find out the facts on dummies once and for all
- You’d like to know about a dummy that’s a breakthrough in both oral health and general health for babies
What to consider when choosing a dummy
In an ideal world, your baby would be content and happy at all times, never needing anything to help them settle. However, in the real world this is not the case, and sometimes need to opt for plan B.
Thinking of using a dummy to help soothe your baby at certain times is not a bad thing, but it’s important that the dummy or soother you choose has the right relationship with the centre of your baby’s palate, as it is still sensitive and soft and the wrong dummy may cause problems in the future.
Why is the CURAPROX soother flat?
The CURAPROX soother looks different from other dummies and soothers as it has been designed with side wings that have an important function. These wings direct the suction pressure onto the side walls of the palate, which means that the teat does not press on the roof of the mouth. Putting prolonged pressure here with the standard bulbous dummy may result in causing a high-arched palate.
Our soother has also been designed to not interfere with the natural horizontal development of an infant’s upper jaw, allowing the tongue to sit in its ideal position. When the tongue sits correctly, this promotes normal nasal breathing and healthy speech development.
Children need to breathe properly in order to develop. Dr Herbert Pick is an established specialist in dental, oral and maxillofacial medicine, and a highly regarded orthodontist and oral surgeon. He has been studying the effects of the use of dummies for many years. This initial interest was prompted by his son, who suffered from a misaligned jaw and, as a baby, had to live with all the disadvantages associated with being a ‘mouth breather’.
Dr Pick recognised the negative effects of conventional products on teeth and jaw development, and created a soother that prevented these effects. CURAPROX and Dr Pick have helped the internationally-patented soother achieve success around the globe – that’s a lot of soothed babies!
Are dummies good for your child?
When teenagers need orthodontic treatment, it can often be because they used a dummy – or sucked their thumb for a prolonged period as a baby or young child.
“In western Europe, 70-80% of children have a dummy at some point during infancy and one in two of them develop a crossbite or an open bite,” says Dr Pick. In fact, only 20 to 30% of such “malocclusions” are genetic.
A crossbite occurs when the jaw does not properly align – the lower jaw is wider than the upper jaw and this can lead to problems including jaw pain as well as damage to the teeth or gums in later life. An open bite is when the front and lower teeth do not touch each other when the mouth is closed.
Both of these problems can be caused by prolonged dummy use of the wrong type and design.
Not all dummies are designed the same but children with such problems are more prone to mouth breathing – breathing through the mouth rather than the nose.
Dr Pick continues: “There is a clear link between jaw abnormalities and a tendency towards mouth breathing, which can lead to problems such as disturbed sleep and difficulty concentrating.”
Why choose the CURAPROX soother?
The CURAPROX soother is a dummy that works in harmony with your baby’s development. You will notice straight away the CURAPROX soother – with its flat suction tip and side wings – looks very different from all the others on the shelf, and there’s a good reason for that.
Firstly the flat tip:
This may look odd but it has been designed to give the tongue plenty of room, supporting the development of your child’s natural swallowing process and ultimately helping with its language development.
This also helps to ensure the palate doesn’t take on an abnormal, high-arched shape which prevents teeth from moving, promotes healthy breathing and restful sleeping. In turn, this helps to restore concentration and makes sure enough oxygen gets to the brain.
And then there are side wings:
These wings actually guide the suction pressure to the jaw rather than the palate, ensuring the dental arch develops a nice, round shape giving the milk teeth – which act as the placeholders for adult teeth – the space they need.
The special, soft silicone membrane creates the same, pleasant sensation as a natural nipple and supports the natural swallowing process.
What size soother do I need and why does weight matter?
Sized based on your child’s weight – Why? Because children’s jaws develop according to weight rather than age, it’s that simple but to help here are approx ages associated with weight but remember each child is different….
- Soother size 0: Up to 7kg. (0-approx 7 months.)
- Soother size 1: Up to 10kg. (Approx 7-18 months.
- Soother size 2: Up to 14kg. (Approx 18-36 months.)
When should I stop using a soother?
All good things must come to an end! So to help healthy jaw development, we recommend you dispose of soothers by your child’s third birthday at the latest. Maybe the tooth fairy can help with this one!
You should now be an expert on how the right dummy can actually work in harmony with your child’s development! But don’t forget you can also chat to your dental professional or midwife if you want more information about caring for your child’s oral health.