Yes, your newborn can sleep with a dummy. Red Nose Australia says using a dummy consistently is associated with a reduced risk of SIDS. If you're breastfeeding, wait until feeding is established (usually around four to six weeks), and if the dummy falls out once your baby is asleep, don't put it back in
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A dummy (also called a pacifier) is a small, soft teat your baby can suck on for comfort between feeds. Most have three parts: the teat, a shield that sits against their lips, and a handle (very handy for finding it in the dark).
Babies are born with a strong sucking reflex. A dummy gives that natural instinct somewhere calm to go, day or night.
A dummy can help your baby settle, and it comes with a few well-supported perks:
No, there's no need to take it out. Your baby can keep sleeping with the dummy in, and if it falls out during sleep, Red Nose advises not to put it back in.
If they're sleeping soundly without it, let them be. A sleeping baby is best left to it.
A few simple habits help keep dummy use safer during sleep:
Choosing when to stop really depends on your baby and your family. Red Nose suggests starting to phase out the dummy after your baby's first birthday, and stopping completely between two and four years of age to reduce the risk of teeth growing out of line. If your baby gets frequent ear infections, it's worth chatting to your GP about cutting back sooner.
There's no need to go cold turkey. Gentle and gradual usually works best:
Comfort doesn't stop at the dummy. Soft, snug-fitting sleepwear keeps your baby cosy without loose blankets in the cot, which is exactly what safer sleep guidelines recommend.
The Swaddle Up™ is designed to let babies sleep in their natural arms-up position, so they can bring their hands to their face to self-soothe, just like they did in the womb. Pair it with a dummy and a calm bedtime routine, and you've got a settling setup that works with your baby's instincts, not against them.
Not in the early months. Longer-term use can affect how teeth line up, which is why Red Nose recommends stopping between two and four years of age. Keeping dummies clean and free of anything sweet also helps protect those first little teeth.
If your baby wakes and is unsettled, it's fine to offer the dummy again to help them drift back off. Just don't put it back in while they're still asleep. Over time, many babies learn to settle back to sleep on their own. If you're on dummy duty several times a night and it's causing more wake-ups than it solves, that may be a sign it's time to start gently weaning.
Yes. Your baby can sleep with a dummy through the night, as long as it's clean, meets the Australian safety standard and isn't attached to anything. If it falls out while they're asleep, leave it out.
Red Nose Australia says using a dummy consistently is associated with a reduced risk of SIDS. A dummy works best alongside the other safer sleep basics: back to sleep, a firm, flat mattress, and a cot free of loose bedding and toys.
A dummy can be a helpful part of your newborn's sleep, and Red Nose links consistent use with a reduced risk of SIDS. Wait until breastfeeding is established, keep it clean and unattached, and don't stress if it falls out. When the time comes, wean gently. Paired with snug, comfy sleepwear and a calm routine, it's one more way to help your little one (and you) get some hard-earned sleep.
For more expert baby sleep advice, visit the Love to Dream™ blog.
