Buying guide
Choosing a dummy – and whether you need one
A dummy isn't compulsory. If you use one – when to introduce it if you breastfeed, how to choose size and shape, how often to replace it and what never to do.
In short
- A dummy is optional. Some babies love it, others spit it out. Buy one or two, not a set.
- If you breastfeed, the usual advice is to wait until breastfeeding is going well, typically a few weeks.
- Size by age, one-piece or with a shield that has ventilation holes, and don't tie it round the neck.
- Replace it every 1–2 months, or at once if it is cracked, sticky or swollen.
The dummy is one of the few baby items that everybody has an opinion about. The truth is simpler: it’s optional. Some newborns calm down with it instantly, others won’t accept it at all, however hard you try. Don’t buy a set of eight before you find out which category yours falls into.
When to introduce it
- If you breastfeed: the usual advice is to wait until breastfeeding is going well (see what you need for breastfeeding), typically after the first few weeks, so it doesn’t interfere with latching on. If you’re having difficulties with breastfeeding, ask a lactation consultant.
- If you bottle-feed: you can offer the dummy from the start.
- At sleep time: you can offer it when you put your baby down to sleep. If it falls out once they are asleep, don’t put it back.
What to check
| What | What to look for |
|---|---|
| Size | By age: 0–2 months, 0–6 months, 6–18 months etc., as stated on the packaging |
| Teat material | Silicone (durable, tasteless) or natural latex/rubber (soft, wears out faster) |
| Teat shape | Round or orthodontic (flat); your child chooses |
| Shield | Wider than the mouth, with ventilation holes, slightly curved |
| Construction | One piece, or with the teat firmly fixed, with no parts that can come off |
| Standard | Compliant with EN 1400 |
How often to replace it
Check it before every use: pull on the teat. Throw the dummy away immediately if:
- the teat is cracked, torn, sticky or swollen;
- it has changed colour or texture;
- your child has bitten into it, once teeth have appeared.
Even if it looks fine, replace it every 1–2 months. Buy dummies new, not second-hand.
Cleaning
Before the first use, sterilize it following the manufacturer’s instructions (details on sterilizers and hygiene in our bottles and sterilizer guide). After that, wash it in warm water with a drop of washing-up liquid and rinse well. Don’t clean it by putting it in your own mouth: you pass on bacteria, including the ones that cause tooth decay.
Stopping
There’s no hurry in the first year. Many recommendations suggest cutting down gradually after one year and stopping by around 2–3 years, for the sake of teeth and ear infections. How and when, you discuss with your paediatrician or dentist.
Our recommendation
Two newborn-size dummies, in different shapes, made of silicone, compliant with EN 1400, bought after the birth or kept in the box until you see whether you need them. If one is accepted, you get two more of the same, so that you have one in the wash. On the newborn checklist, dummies are marked optional precisely to avoid buying too much in advance.
Frequently asked questions
Is it OK to give my baby a dummy?
It's your choice. The American Academy of Pediatrics notes that offering a dummy at sleep time is associated with a lower risk of sudden infant death. If you breastfeed, the usual advice is to wait until breastfeeding is going well. If your baby doesn't want the dummy or drops it while asleep, don't insist and don't put it back.
When do you stop using a dummy?
Many recommendations suggest cutting down gradually after the age of 1 and stopping by around 2–3 years, to reduce the risk of ear infections and problems with teeth alignment. Talk about the right moment with your paediatrician or dentist.
Can I dip the dummy in honey or sugar?
No. Honey must not be given to children under one because of the risk of botulism, and sugar encourages tooth decay as soon as teeth appear. Give the dummy clean, with nothing on it.
Think it could help someone else?
Send the guide to your partner or to a friend who is expecting a baby.