Using a dummy – what does research and guidance tell us?

Your baby might already use a dummy, or you may be thinking about introducing one. The information about the use of dummies (or pacifiers) can be very confusing, so we have looked at what research and guidance tells us.

The pros and cons: the 'experts' don't yet agree

Some research suggests the use of a dummy is linked to lower rates of exclusive breastfeeding. However, further research is needed to explore if dummy use causes lower rates of breastfeeding or if there is another factor that explains this connection. Other research has suggested that using a dummy is associated with a reduced risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS), although the reasons for this apparent link are not clear.^[1] So, there is an ongoing discussion about dummy use, and experts don’t agree about if dummy use should be promoted or not.

Sometimes a health professional might recommend you give your baby a dummy for a particular reason. Below we outline guidance given by the Lullaby Trust, but if a professional gives different advice for your baby, follow the advice you are given.

The Lullaby Trust recommend...

If you decide to give your baby a dummy:

Wait until breastfeeding is established.
Give your baby their dummy each time they have a sleep; if the dummy falls out as they sleep you don’t need to put it back in their mouth.
Don’t put anything sweet on the dummy.
Give your baby their dummy for sleep only, don’t use it during awake times.
Use an orthodontic dummy, as these adapt to your baby’s mouth shape.
Stop giving your baby a dummy between 6 and 12 months.

Not all babies will take a dummy – if your baby is not interested or repeatedly refuses a dummy, you don’t need to get them to take one.

You can find more information in the Basis report from Durham University's Infancy and Sleep Centre.

Reference:

[1]. Dos Santos Buccini, G., Perez-Ezcamilla, R., Paulino, L.M. & Araujo, C.L. (2017). Pacifier use and interruption of exclusive breasfeeding: Systematice review and meta-analysis. Maternal & Child Nutrition. 13(3), Article e12384.

Lullaby Trust. Dummies and SIDS. https://www.lullabytrust.org.uk/safer-sleep-advice/dummies-and-sids/