Experts Warn David & Victoria Beckham’s 4-Year-Old Daughter May End Up With These Problems If She Continues Using Dummies

Parenting experts say David, 40, and Victoria Beckham, 41, risked stunting their 4-year-old daughter, Harper’s speech and were putting her teeth at risk of damage by letting her continue to use dummies.

Parenting expert, Clare Byam-Cook, a former midwife, said that the Beckhams were putting Harper’s wellbeing at risk.

She said: ‘I can’t believe she is still using a dummy. If she has a dummy in her mouth at this age, at four, it really can damage her teeth and it is very likely to hinder speech development. You are far less likely to speak if you have a dummy in your mouth than if your mouth is free. Many dentists will agree that dummy use at this age really is not good. After about three months, most babies should not need a comforter. Children at the age of four really don’t need a dummy. David and Victoria seem wonderful parents and I’m sure they give Harper lots of attention but, like it or not, they are role models and lots of people will see this and think that having a dummy at this age is normal when it is not. It could be last child syndrome – because she is the youngest David and Victoria could be clinging on to her being a baby.’

Another parenting expert, Sue Atkins, who also echoed Clare’s concerns said: ‘If a child has a dummy for too long it can be hard to get them off it. If Harper is running around having a great time, she doesn’t really need one. It is an easy option for parents, because if you give them a dummy they shut up and are quiet. It’s the same as giving them an iPad really. Some parents use them as an easy way to keep their kids quiet, and their language development is impaired by it because they don’t have to talk. It delays their vocabulary if they have them too long.’

Fans on Twitter were also quick to raise concerns.

One said: ‘As much as I like Mr Beckham, to see 4 year old Harper still using a dummy is quiet disturbing #notababyanymore’

Another added: ‘How old is Harper Beckham? I can’t deal with the dummy situation!!?’

While another said: ‘Err is Harper not a bit old for a dummy, and why is she running with it in her mouth anyway?’

The NHS Choices website also recommends parents ‘should avoid using dummies after 12 months of age’ to prevent speech development problems.

But expert Judy Reith said that Harper may need to use a dummy to calm her down in stressful public situations.

She said: ‘It is up to the parents – famous or not – to decide when their child is ready to stop using a dummy. It’s a personal decision in every family and they know best. Given that she is a child in a well-known family, she may have a little extra comfort from her dummy when they are walking about and cameras are clicking away. The most important thing is that she feels loved, safe, secure and able to engage with the world.’

What do you think?

Source: DailyMail