Giving a dummy to babies whenever you put them down to sleep could reduce the risk of cot death by half, according to experts.
The latest advice from the Foundation for the Study of Infant Deaths says, "Settling your baby to sleep with a dummy - even for naps - can reduce the risk of cot death." Research by FSIDs suggests that using dummy reduces the risk of cot death by 50 per cent and in some cases by as much as 90 per cent.
However, the advice is likely to cause some controversy amongst breastfeeding specialists who have found that the use of a dummy can affect the success of breast feeding. Comfort sucking at the breast, particularly in the early stages, ensures a plentiful supply of milk. The foundation advises mothers to use a dummy from birth unless the mother is breastfeeding, in which case it recommends giving a dummy from the age of one month old. They acknowledge how important it is to ensure breastfeeding is well established before giving a dummy.
In the new FSID guidelines, it is stressed that babies should not be forced to take a dummy, and it should not be coated in anything. A dummy should be given even when just settling a baby for a nap.
However, FSID say how important it is that parents continue to heed all the advice on reducing the risk of cot death, such as putting their baby to sleep on its back.
Dr Richard Wilson, honorary consultant in paediatrics at Kingston Hospital said he hoped this advice would help to further cut cot deaths. "It's important to stress that what's been advised is using a dummy when babies go to sleep, not all the time."
But Belinda Phipps, chief executive of the National Childbirth Trust said there was not enough evidence to conclude either way whether using a dummy reduced cot death.
"We would welcome more research in this area."
June 2007
How To Reduce Cot Death Risk
 Put your baby to sleep on its back
Do not expose your child to smoke
Keep your baby cool, with its head uncovered
Parents should not share a bed with their baby if they are very tired, smoke or have been drinking or taking drugs which make you drowsy. But the baby should be in a cot in the same room for at least the first six months
Take a look at Our Section on Cot Death for more information.
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