Gemma Atkinson has hit back at people who criticised her over a video she posted on social media of her two-year-old daughter Mia.
The former Emmerdale star's toddler was shown using a dummy - which prompted floods of comments from followers asking if Gemma was concerned - as Manchester Evening News reports.
The 36-year-old mum, who also appeared in Hollyoaks, took to Instagram Stories to defend herself - and said it doesn't worry her at all.
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Do you think two is too old to have a dummy? Let us know in the comments below
She said: "I've had loads of messages from people about my video this morning
"'Does it not bother you that Mia's got her dummy in?' 'Are you not worried that she's still got her dummy?'
"B****y hell she's two. Am I f*****g hell worried. She wants her dummy. She's a baby."
"No it doesn't worry me at all. When she doesn't want it she doesn't want it, when she does she does.
She added: "I'm not going to deprive her of a dummy. Crikey."
Dummies are used to soothe and relax - and sucking a pacifier can help some babies settle and give them comfort.
But the NHS advises that regular and extended use of a dummy or a bottle can create problems with speech.
Health experts say that between the age of six and 12 months a dummy should only be offered when it's time for sleep. And ideally they should stop using dummies completely by 12 months.
Expert advice on weaning your child off a dummy
A healthcare visitor from Babycentre parenting advice website has shared some advice on how to wean your child off a dummy.
Zoe Ralph said: "It's best to start limiting the time your baby has her dummy from about six months. Ideally, she should have given it up completely by the time she's one"
"Of course, when faced with a distressed child this is easier said than done!
"Babies often use attachment objects, such as their thumbs, or security blankets, into the second year and beyond.
"It may take some effort on your part to persuade your baby to part with her dummy.
"Some parents find it easier to stop their child using a dummy when they're old enough to understand why it's being taken away.
"Others set strict rules about when their child can use their dummy, for example, only in the house, or just in the evening.
"When weaning your baby off her dummy, gradually decrease the time you let her use it during the day and evening.
"Try helping your baby to settle at bedtime without a dummy.
"Many babies who go to sleep with a dummy will look for it when they wake up during the night.
"By removing it as a sleeping aid, your baby will have a better chance of learning to settle back to sleep by herself."
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