Using a dummy and SIDS

Some babies find dummies soothing and comforting, and some research suggests that using a dummy during sleep could help even lower the risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). Wait until after breastfeeding is established to introduce them.

A baby is sleeping on their back in their cot with a dummy in their mouth. They have a medium skin tone and their mum has her hand on their chest.

On this page

Using a dummy safely

Some research suggests that using a dummy during sleep can lower the risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS).

If you choose to use a dummy:

Wait until breastfeeding is well established – usually when your baby is around four weeks old.
Use an orthodontic dummy – these adapt to your baby’s mouth shape. 
Make it part of your baby’s sleep routine – offer the dummy for every sleep, not just occasionally.
Gently stop using the dummy between six and 12 months – to avoid problems cause by longer term use, such as misaligned teeth and ear infections.

A baby is asleep in a safer sleep position, on their back with a clear cot. They have a dummy in their mouth

Things to avoid

Don’t force your baby to take a dummy – if your baby spits it out, you don’t need to worry about putting it back in. 
Don’t use a neck cord and dummy attachments – as these can be dangerous. 
Don’t put anything sweet on the dummy, such as honey.
Don’t offer the dummy during awake time.

Frequently asked questions

Why does using a dummy reduce the risk of SIDS?

We don’t yet know exactly what it is about a dummy that lowers the risk of a baby dying of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). As with most of the safer sleep information, we only know that there is good evidence to show:

What you can do to reduce the risk of SIDS
What increases the risk of SIDS
What to avoid.

Does my baby need to use a dummy every day?

Will a dummy make breastfeeding more difficult?

If you choose to use a dummy, only introduce it once you have established breastfeeding. The time this takes differs for everyone, but it could be a few weeks – make sure you get help if you need it. Once you have established breastfeeding, introducing a dummy shouldn’t make it more difficult.

What if my paediatrician recommends a dummy, but I have not properly established breastfeeding with my baby?

There are some situations where medical professionals suggest using dummies before breastfeeding has been established.
For example:

To comfort babies when they are having procedures or on ventilators.
To help premature babies develop facial muscles while they learn to suck.
For babies receiving a kind of ventilation called CPAP, to help keep their mouths closed and maintain pressure in their airways.

We recommend following your health professional’s advice in these situations.

What if my baby won’t take a dummy?

Not all babies like dummies. If your baby keeps refusing a dummy, don’t force them to take it.

Remember, following other safer sleep advice such as not smoking and placing your baby to sleep on their back, in their own sleep space, will all help lower their risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS).

A baby is sleeping in a safer sleep position in a cot. The dad is holding a hand on his chest and head. The baby has a dummy.

Remember

Using a dummy could help reduce the risk of SIDS, just make sure if breastfeeding you start offering a dummy after breastfeeding is established and use the tips on this page of how to use a dummy. Everyone is different and not all babies like using dummies, but by following our safer sleep advice there’s lots you can do to help keep your baby safe.

Every baby safe. Every family supported.

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