Dummy independence: helping babies learn

From about 8 months, babies can learn to put dummies back in their mouths during the night.

You can help your baby learn dummy independence by putting their hand onto the dummy and guiding it into their mouth.

From about 8 months of age, most babies can learn to put in their own dummies. This can be good if your baby needs a dummy to fall asleep or needs your help to put the dummy back in when it falls out during the night.

Here’s how to help your baby manage their own dummy:

When you put your baby to bed, put their hand onto the dummy. Then guide the dummy into their mouth.

Say something like ‘Get your dummy’ while you’re guiding your baby’s hand. After a while, your baby will get their own dummy when you say those words.

Each time you have to put the dummy back in, make sure you put your baby’s hand onto the dummy. Then guide the dummy into their mouth, making sure they keep a hand on it.

It can take 3-4 nights or longer for babies to learn how to put the dummy back in by themselves.

Don’t use ribbons, strings or cords to attach a dummy to your child’s clothing, hand, neck or cot. Ribbons, strings and cords are strangulation risks. If you use a dummy chain, check that it meets Australian Standard AS 2432:2015.

If your baby or older child depends on the dummy to settle and sleep, another option is to phase out the dummy.

You can do this gradually by using the dummy less when:

re-settling your child during the night

comforting your child during the day.

Our article on giving up the dummy has more information. You can also read more about changing your baby’s sleep habits so that your child learns to settle themselves without a dummy.

Our content is regularly reviewed for quality and currency. The last review of this article was by Professor Sarah Blunden, clinical psychologist and Director, Paediatric Sleep and Psychology Clinic, Adelaide; Adjunct Professor of Psychology and Paediatric Sleep, CQUniversity; and Adjunct Senior Research Fellow, Monash University. Scientific Advisory Board review was provided by Associate Professor Jill Sewell AM.

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