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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.

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

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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