What types of dummies are available?
Dental, anatomical, orthodontic, flattened
- flattened spherical shape
- the dummy is adapted to the shape of the baby’s palate
- this prevents the teeth from growing crooked during development

Cherry, combi, nipple shape
- bulbous end
- the mouthpiece of the dummy is symmetrical, so it can be inverted
- resembles the shape of a nipple, so suitable in combination with breastfeeding

What materials are the dummies made of?
Silicone
- very strong, so the dummy is less likely to tear
- allergy-friendly
- usually translucent in colour

Latex
- flexible, so it has less effect on the position of the teeth and jaws
- allergic reaction possible
- matte yellow translucent in colour

When should I replace my dummy?
In connection with your child’s safety and hygiene, we recommend you replace dummies after 4 to 6 weeks. If the dummy is damaged, for example by biting, you must replace the dummy sooner. We also recommend checking the dummy for tears before each use by pulling it in all directions.

What are the differences between the different types of guards?
The butterfly shape makes sures there’s enough air behind the guard, which prevents skin irritation. This shape is symmetrical, so the dummy is reversible and has a cherry shape. The round guard is asymmetrical, so it works as a dental dummy.
The holes in the guard are an extra safety feature for your child. Even if your child still manages to put the guard in their mouth completely, they will never be at risk of suffocation. Your child will always get enough air through these holes. For this reason, you must never attach anything to these 2 openings!

How long, how, and how often should dummies be sterilised?
Before using the dummy for the first time, we recommend boiling it for 4 minutes. In the first 8 weeks, we recommend you boil dummies for 3 minutes daily in a pan of boiling water. After 8 weeks, it’s enough to boil dummies twice a week. Check that no water is left in the teat by squeezing all the water out of it. You can also use a microwave or steam steriliser, which saves a lot of time.

What Is Bisphenol A, and what does ‘BPA-free' mean?
Bisphenol A is a chemical, mainly used in the manufacture of polycarbonate plastics. Polycarbonate is used for baby bottles, which reduces the chance of them breaking or cracking.
A product can only be classified as BPA-free if there is no BPA in the parts of the product that come into contact with the baby's lips, or the food or liquid that the baby eats or drinks.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bisphenol_A

Why do all dummies have a hole?
If there were no holes, the silicone part would be rigid and no longer have an anatomical function. Due to the valve, water may occasionally enter when boiling. There is absolutely no harm in this; the water has been sterilised, and can easily be squeezed out after the teat has cooled down. Please note that the hole isn’t always visible. The air in some dummies escapes along the guard.

What’s the difference between dummies with rings and without rings?
Some dummies have rings so that a dummy cord can be attached to them during the day. A dummy cord prevents the dummy from falling to the floor, so it aids hygiene.
Dummies without rings have round buttons, and are mainly designed to be worn at night so that your child can’t injure themselves.

Why should I give my child a dummy?
Dummies help put babies to sleep, soothe them, and make them feel at ease. Because a dummy is so soft, there’s less pressure on the jaws and palate than if a baby sucks their thumb.

Is a dummy better than thumb sucking?
The size and shape of a dummy are specially designed, and it’s generally easier to wean a baby off a dummy than thumb sucking, because the dummy can simply be removed. Teaching a baby to stop sucking their thumb requires a lot more cooperation from your child, which is very difficult at a young age.

Thumb sucking can have psychological and physical consequences. If your child still sucks their thumb at an older age, they may be jeered at by their peers. Persistent thumb sucking can affect jaw growth, the position of the teeth (anterior open bite) and speech. Children who suck their thumbs often have to wear braces later on, because their teeth have grown at the wrong angle due to the pressure on the jaws. Using a dummy reduces this pressure, and allows the jaw, palate and teeth to develop properly.
Most mouth deformities are more likely to be due to the suction movement itself.

What’s the right age to wean a child off a dummy?
A dummy keeps things quiet and calms a child, but it’s nevertheless a good idea to stop using the dummy around the third year. This gives the teeth enough time to recover if necessary, and using a dummy also has no influence on the shape of the teeth. If a dummy is used for a lot longer, there’s a danger it can affect the jaw position and tooth position, in the form of an anterior open bite or a crossbite.

There are so many different sizes. How important is it to follow the age guidelines?
The teats and guards of the dummies come in different sizes, each indicated with age guidelines. It’s particularly important that you give your child the smallest size for the first few months. From 6 months on, we recommend switching to a larger size, because the guards are larger and make it impossible for your baby to put the entire dummy in their mouth.

Can you change teat shape depending on your child's age?
Once you’ve found a suitable dummy, your baby will quickly become used to the shape of the dummy, so keep this in mind for future purchases.

Can a dummy be dipped in jam, honey, etc.?
Do not dip the dummy in sugary liquids, as this will not make your child hold it in their mouth for longer and can also cause tooth decay.

How can I wean my baby off the dummy?
To prevent dental deformities, it’s important that a child learns to live without a dummy before their adult teeth appear. Pick a good time, not a turbulent period such as when a brother or sister is born. We recommend you start phasing out the dummy around the age of 3 years. Your child should be weaned off the dummy before reaching the age of 4.

Get rid of the dummy in steps by giving it less and less. For example, only when your child needs to sleep or is really sad. If things go well during the day, you can start to wean your child off the dummy when going to sleep. Your toddler will have trouble falling asleep, especially in the first few days. Replacing the dummy with a teddy bear or cuddle cloth can help.

Actively involve your child in the weaning plan. Explain why sucking a dummy is bad, and set a date to end it. Tell your child they are already big enough, give encouragement, and agree on a reward if they succeed.