Spit out the dummy

When a baby cries it is our natural response to go comfort them – often by putting a bottle or dummy in their mouth.  There is a theory that this is not always the best thing to do.  Sure, it is a fast and easy way to stop a baby crying.  But the baby is expressing a natural emotion by crying; using a dummy or bottle stops that expression.  It is best to let that emotion be processed by comforting the infant in a different way (by holding/talking to the baby).  It's easier said than done, I know - with all the other demands put upon people today, time saving is essential. 

But consider this; the theory goes:  if the response of putting a bottle or dummy in their mouth is used too often, over time the baby is being taught to avoid expressing uncomfortable emotions.  The bottle or dummy becomes the method of avoidance*. 

Fast forward to adulthood and that baby has now substituted the dummy with a cigarette; a drink; drugs (leisure or prescribed); or comfort eating.  Instead of processing emotions that might be uncomfortable they self medicate to avoid by using one of the oral methods mentioned.  

So when someone comes for hypnotherapy to change bad eating habits or with an alcohol problem it is often the case that, because it was learned so early, the habit is hard wired in the brain.  This makes it extremely difficult (usually impossible) to change at a conscious level.   As a result dieters put weight back on and alcoholics fall off the wagon.  But when hypnosis is used it can elicit the change needed because it works a different level of consciousness where these early learned behaviours are stored.   

There is no point in dealing with the habit if you don’t tackle the cause. 

Perhaps spitting out the dummy is a good thing! 

* Reference: Jacob Liberman, O.D., Ph.D.