Some research suggests that using a dummy when putting a baby down to sleep might help to reduce the risk of cot death.

If you choose to use a dummy, and are breast-feeding, you should wait until breast-feeding is well established (usually about 4 weeks).

If your baby was premature, a dummy may have been given before breast-feeding has started and you should continue to follow your doctors’ advice on this.

The dummy should be offered for every period of sleep – including daytime naps.

If the dummy falls out during the sleep do not waken the baby up to put it back in. However, if the baby wakens, then offer the dummy once again.

Never force a baby to take a dummy or put it back in if the baby spits it out. 

Don’t use a neck cord, and never coat a dummy in anything sweet.

It is recommended that dummies are stopped between 6 and 12 months.