From the regular correspondence in the pages of PDQ the use of the dummy (pacifier) to reinforce petticoat discipline in errant males is a regular topic. There can be no doubt that the dummy is a virtual icon of babyhood worldwide, and its use as a convenient humiliating babyish accessory is without parallel. Cheap to procure, and easily produced from a pocket or handbag, it is understandable why it has become so popular with the ladies.

One matter that frequently crops up in PDQ is the vexed question of what type of dummy to use, and where to obtain adult-sized dummies. I will attempt to answer some of these questions in this brief article.

The dummy as we know it has been around for just about one hundred years, and developed from the bone or ivory teething ring. The development of latex led to the first practical rubber teats, and somewhere along the line someone, an unknown genius, thought of attaching a rubber teat to a teething ring, and the basic form of the modern dummy or ‘comforter’ was born – before too long the shield was added, and the ring became a handle.

Since those early days the dummy has consisted of those three components – teat, shield and ring, and has changed very little except for the teat shape and the manufacturing material. It should be said that very few of these early dummies survive intact. The rubber teat of course, in almost every case has long since perished. You can see some examples at:

 These days the average chemist will stock a wide variety of types in all sorts of colours and styles – I have even seen ‘designer’ dummies,  if such a thing can be imagined. For adult use many of those on sale will have teats that are rather too small for an average adult mouth – although simply used for humiliation purposes they are just as suitable as any other. However, it is best to look out for those intended for older children – the teat size and shape will be more suited to an adult, and if hubby is given one at night he is less likely to lose it when falling asleep. The Italian company ‘Chicco’ makes my own personal favourite. Although these are not often seen in the UK, they are, or were, widely available abroad – the model I recommend in particular being described as a ‘Maxi Suchietto’ – the description on the box being ‘extra large cherry pacifier, this pacifier is ideal for use from 16 months’.

 One should mention also that holidays abroad are often the best way of obtaining large dummies. Spain in particular is a country where one is likely to have the most success: most supermarkets and small stores carry good examples. If visiting, it is best to stock up on several, since the cost is negligible.

It is sometimes possible to find the ‘all-rubber’ type of dummy. These are certainly much rarer than other types, but anyone over 50 will remember them quite well.

There are two basic teat types available these days – cherry shaped, and what is often termed ‘orthodontic’. Many of the NUK type are of this latter kind. The larger sizes of NUK (3 and 4) are very well suited to those ladies who want the dummy to act as an effective gag as well. The NUK 3 is sometimes available from chemists in the UK, but the size 4 is generally only available to special order. It can be obtained from Christian (kvetinka@kvetinka.de) who can supply them from Germany. Larger dummies intended for adult use can also be obtained from DPF who have a website – these are usually German-sourced though. I would recommend that anyone looking for larger dummies search the ebay website using ‘pacifier’ or ‘dummy’ as a keyword – there are often several pages of these on offer, and it is worth checking on a regular basis.

When first introducing the dummy to one’s husband or partner, it is important to establish the basic rules. Namely, only Mummy should give it to Baby, and once put into place it should never be removed except by Mummy/Nanny. In the early days it may be necessary to tie it in place to ensure that this is strictly adhered to, and after a firm spanking as a reminder this is easily accomplished, as the shields of most modern dummies now have small holes or apertures through which a length of ribbon or elastic can be threaded, thus forming a complete loop around the head and keeping the dummy firmly in place. It can of course be removed at mealtimes by Mummy and popped into place afterwards as necessary.

Eventually most males will become ‘dummy dependant’ so there will be no need to tie it in place. I would recommend however, that a length of ribbon is secured to the ring, or alternatively one can use one of the babyish ‘pacifier holders’ that are obtainable from nearly every chemist. This will remind hubby of his status even when the dummy is not plugged in. I would recommend that pastel baby colours be chosen whenever possible – pink is preferred, but pale blue is also acceptable. Some of the newer types now have medical grade silicon rubber teats. Somehow these just don’t look right, and I would advise keeping to the traditional latex rubber teat.

It should be rarely necessary to use the dummy in actual public. But if Baby knows that Mummy has one in her handbag or pocket, then just the threat of producing it should be enough to ensure a polite and well-behaved husband. There are many ways that hubby can be humiliated without actually making him suck on it, such as producing it in a restaurant and leaving it on the table where it will be noticed by the waitress or other diners.

 Another good idea is to ensure that he buys his own dummies on a regular basis from a small local chemist. After purchasing three or four on a regular weekly basis the shop assistants are sure to notice and begin to wonder. It is also better to refer to his little comforter as his ‘dum-dum’ or ‘ba-ba’ – these words sound even more deliciously babyish and will make him squirm with embarrassment. After the introduction of the dummy the use of a feeding bottle is but a short step away, and many wives might like to consider this as an option as soon as their baby hubby is dummy dependant. The use of the bottle can perhaps be the subject of a further article.

Saffron

Saffy's article is the major part of this page, but I have also received a letter from Jennifer which I believe belongs here:

17th May 2003

Dear Susan,

In your Spring 2003 edition of ‘Petticoat Discipline Quarterly’, I read the letter from Margaret regarding large dummies for effectively silencing noisy babies. For some years now I have used several that I converted myself, and other readers may like to know how I altered it. The procedure is as follows:

1. Take one large dummy bought from a joke shop. The bulb is far too big to fit in the mouth yet, and at this stage, the dummy is usually intended to be simply worn around the neck for comic effect. Now we begin the alteration.

2. Neatly cut off two thirds of the large, hollow bulb, so that the remainder is left as an open cone protruding from the back of the dummy.

3. Take a squash ball and place it inside the cone. Then wrap either zinc oxide sticking plaster or cloth strapping tape around it to seal it in.

4. Next, take a few small uninflated balloons, cut off the necks, and slip them one by one over the sealed-in squash ball. The dummy bulb formed is now suitably covered in rubber.

5. Then wind more sticky plaster around the base of the newly formed dummy bulb to ensure that the rubber covering is tight, and cannot slip off.

6. Now for the securing ribbons. Looking at the mouth-covering shield from the front, bore 4 small holes through it at 10 o’clock, 2 o’clock, 4 o’clock and 8 o’clock. Then thread a 6 foot length of ribbon (I prefer pink) through the holes so that the dummy can be secured in the mouth. To do this, the threaded ribbon should be pulled tight before being tied in a bow at the back of the head.

7. The advantage of this type of dummy is that the size of the ball and the number of times you wrap it in tape can be modified to fill the wearer’s mouth properly. You will also find that gradually the bulb will take on the shape of the inside of their mouth as the teeth dig in around the base of the dummy bulb.

8. This dummy is only for use by one person only, and should be always washed after use. I’ve made quite a few of these dummies over the years for my big baby, and I can vouch for both their effectiveness in keeping baby quiet, and also the fact that once tied into the mouth, there is absolutely no way of pushing it out.

I trust that others will find this technique useful.
Best wishes from,

Jennifer   

In the 2005 issue of 'Dummy Discipline Digest' we might do a similar article on nappies or diapers. If readers have any ideas regarding where to find nappies and nappy pins of suitable size and thickness, or instructions on how to make them, or even wash then so that they stay thick and cuddly-soft for Baby, then please write.
Susan