Table of Contents
- Targeted by Mum-Shamers
- Video Clip Details
- Social Media Backlash
- Request for Advice
- Tips for Weaning Off the Dummy
- FAQ
MRS Hinch has found herself under scrutiny from mum-shamers after posting a video of her four-year-old son Lennie using a dummy.
She shared a clip on her Instagram page that featured her eldest child snuggled up in their parents’ bed, watching a movie.
Mrs Hinch sparked debate by sharing a video of her four-year-old son Lennie with a dummyCredit: instagram/mrshinchhome
She quickly received numerous messages questioning whether Lennie was too old for a dummyCredit: instagram/mrshinchhome
She acknowledged that she needs advice, as her previous efforts to help Lennie give up the dummy have been unsuccessfulCredit: Shutterstock
This is Mrs Hinch's first Christmas as a mother of three, following the birth of her third son Vinnie in FebruaryCredit: instagram/mrshinchhome
“Christmas movie night in Mum and Dad’s bed,” she wrote above the clip.
The video depicted both boys captivated by the film but quickly drew criticism from online trolls regarding Lennie’s use of a dummy.
“A dummy? Surely he’s too old for that?” one commenter remarked.
“Just be aware it can affect his teeth in the long run.”
Mrs Hinch, whose real name is Sophie Hinchcliffe, responded to the backlash in another post on her Instagram Stories, expressing her desire to “address” the situation.
“Because I would like to if I’m honest,” she added.
“I have genuinely tried everything to help Lennie stop using a dummy.
“I even tried the ‘elves’ taking them to Santa, but that didn’t work.”
She confessed that the “crying” and “sleepless nights” that come with trying to take the dummy away are “extremely difficult and exhausting.”
“Any suggestions are welcome, but I would prefer not to receive negative judgments about it,” she sighed.
“We are all just learning as we go, even us mums.”
Not everyone had negative feedback about Mrs Hinch’s post; one user commented: “It makes me feel much better seeing Lennie with a dummy.
“My son is the same age, and I’m struggling to get it away from him.”
According to the NHS, parents should aim to wean their babies off the dummy between six months and a year old.
Prolonged use of a dummy can impact children's speech due to alterations in tongue movements and dental development.
This may affect how sounds like ‘t’ and ‘d’ are pronounced, as the tongue is pushed back, making them sound more akin to ‘k’ or ‘g’.
Tips and Tricks to Help You Wean Your Child Off the Dummy
The thought of getting your child off the dummy can be daunting, especially if they are very attached to it.
However, there are some strategies that other parents have found helpful.
- Give the dummy to Father Christmas if it's the right time of year, or to a dummy fairy. The dummy is then ‘taken’ to babies who need it, and a gift is left for the child in return.
- Exchange the dummy for a reward, such as a sticker or a healthy, tasty snack. <
Eze Chidiebere Paul
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