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Parenting

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Original poster

Has anyone been advised to use a dummy to cut down the risk of SIDS?

7 replies

crayon · 14/09/2006 19:18

I'm new here and wonder if anyone can help me?

Our third baby is nearly a month old and since having the other two, it seems that research has been going on into the use of dummies to cut the risk of SIDS.

I've read a paper on it, but haven't spoken to our HV yet.

What has everyone else decided? Has anyone been advised to use one?

Many thanks

Crayon

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Are your children’s vaccines up to date?

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malteser1 · 14/09/2006 20:13

Hi crayon,
I remember reading a newspaper article about 3 months ago supporting the use of dummies at night time to reduce the risk of cot death. apparently the dumies did soemthing to aid with better breathing patterns at night. Didn't read into it in too muc detail but a full study had been conducted. This is only one additional factor - the main risks for SIDS / cot death remain smoking within the family home, sleeping in the incorrect position in the cot and sleeping with parents on couches / similar, which all significantly increase the risk.

sunnyside · 14/09/2006 20:15

I read something about this - I think it was that once you've started to use a dummy then they should always have it to sleep as they are at greater risk on the nights that they don't have it.....not sure of the whys and wherefores

WeaselMum · 14/09/2006 20:31

FSID website has more details. As far as I know, they studied a number of babies who had died of SIDS. In that sample, they found higher numbers of babies who usually had a dummy but had not had it on the night they died, than babies who always/never had dummies. So the conclusion is it may make a small difference - if you are already giving it carry on, if not there is no need to give it. Hope I've understood it right!

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Original poster

crayon · 15/09/2006 21:14

Thanks all. Strangely the FSID website doesn't seem to have anything on it (that I can find). Several other websites do though.

A tough decision!

Crayon.

OP posts:

Olihan · 15/09/2006 21:24

I remember this as I was about to do away with dd's dummy when it was in the news. I think the main point was that the risk increased if you suddenly took a dummy away from a baby who was used to it. The same as suddenly putting a baby on its front when its always slept on its back. (Doesn't count once they can roll over independently though)

I can't remember if there was any definite evidence agreed to support giving a dummy from birth though.

JustaName · 15/09/2006 23:12

Don't know if it is related or not - havn't read the articles about the subject. But premmies are sometimes given dummies to improve their lung capacity. I think this is especially true in the states. I can't remember where I saw this though to provide any evidence. It may have been on one of those living TV birth/NICU type documentaries.

littleducks · 15/09/2006 23:49

Weasel mum is correct according to practical parenting july issue

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