UNICEF UK:
"Firstly, we must look at other research (2) into dummies and SIDS. This tends to show that babies who used a dummy during their last sleep were less likely to die, but that routine dummy use is not protective. This may indicate that infants are at greater risk of SIDS if they routinely use a dummy but have not been given their dummy on a particular night.
"Secondly, the potential risks of dummy use need to considered. These include:
- interference with good establishment of breastfeeding in the early weeks
- increased risk of otitis media infection
- increased dental malocclusion
- risk of accidents such as obstruction of the airway
"Thirdly, we need to ensure that the advice being proposed is realistic. If dummy use is really protective against SIDS but only if used every night, parents must be informed of this. The possibility that missing a night will increase risk among routine dummy users creates confusion and concern. We must be secure that parents will never forget to give the dummy once they have started to use it.
"Finally, since we do not know the mechanism by which dummy use may protect babies, other sources of sucking comfort during the night also need to be investigated. It is possible that thumb sucking is protective, and a baby who routinely sucks his thumb is not dependant on his parents to remember to give it to him. Some studies have also suggested that breastfeeding may be protective against SIDS. While this also needs further investigation, the access a bed sharing baby has to his mother's breast during the night may offer another mechanism for protection."
From BabyCentre:
"Dummies and sudden infant death (SIDS)
"There is growing evidence that using a dummy may play a part in protecting babies against cot death. Initially, a large case control study of cot death, funded by the UK Department of Health, reported in 1999 that dummy use was a factor in sudden infant death. The risk was for babies who usually had a dummy but who did not have a dummy for their last sleep. However, this risk factor was no longer significant once other larger risk factors were taken into account.
"More recently, a report published in the British Medical Journal in December 2005 suggested that dummy use actually protects against SIDS. The study, carried out in California, looked at the use of dummies in 185 babies who were victims of SIDS and a control group of 312 other babies. The use of a dummy was associated with a reduction of the risk of SIDS, especially when there were other known risk factors such as sleeping on the tummy or side, sleeping on soft bedding or sleeping with a mother who smoked. The study also showed that thumb sucking appeared to have a protective influence.
"The results of this study do not mean that all babies should routinely be given dummies. The authors of this study say that their findings add support for a protective effect of dummies but there is no "proof" yet for a cause and effect relationship. The authors state that, "These preliminary findings need confirmation." "
From the BMJ:
"Inaccurate reporting or exaggeration of research findings could cause a lot of confusion for practitioners and consequently for parents under their care. The conclusion made from this study is too strong, the authors have admitted limitations of this study and also acknowledged the fact that this simple association may not indicate a causal effect. Yet, in their (abstract) conclusion, they have stated that dummies reduce the risk of SIDS. The conclusion should be modified to reflect this lack of certainty and to reflect observed association rather than suggesting a cause and effect relationship.
"Competing interests: None declared"
Association of Breastfeeding Mothers
the SIDS Prevention website
I'm too tired to get anymore links.