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By the Peanutbean parent · checked against CDC, NHS and AAP guidance · how we fact-check

Dummies and pacifiers: when to start, when to stop, and the SIDS link

Last verified: July 18, 2026

The short answer: a dummy is optional, not required, but if you use one there is a right way to do it. Wait until breastfeeding is well established, usually around 4 weeks, offer it for every sleep rather than occasionally, and aim to wean off between 6 and 12 months to avoid dental and ear problems from longer use. Some research links regular dummy use during sleep to a lower risk of SIDS.

The SIDS connection, honestly stated

This is the detail that surprises a lot of parents: dummies are not just a soothing tool, they have research behind them for sleep safety. Some research suggests that using a dummy during sleep can lower the risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) (The Lullaby Trust: Dummies).

We are not going to overstate this. The Lullaby Trust itself is upfront that the mechanism is not fully understood, only that the association shows up in research. This sits alongside our safe sleep guide, which already mentions the dummy link as one part of a bigger picture, not a replacement for back sleeping, a firm flat mattress, or room sharing.

If you breastfeed: wait for it

Timing matters more for breastfeeding families. Wait until breastfeeding is well established, usually when your baby is around four weeks old, before introducing a dummy (Lullaby Trust).

The reasoning is practical, not superstitious. Establishing a strong milk supply and a comfortable latch and position takes priority first. The Lullaby Trust also acknowledges that this timeline is not one-size-fits-all: establishing breastfeeding can take a few weeks for some families, and getting help if you need it is part of the process (Lullaby Trust). If you are formula feeding, this waiting period does not apply in the same way.

The AAP adds a caution worth repeating for any feeding method: be careful not to offer a pacifier at times when your baby really needs to be fed instead, since a dummy can pacify a hungry baby as easily as a comforted one (AAP: Practical Pacifier Principles). If you’re unsure whether your baby is hungry or just wants to suck, our milk amounts guide can help you check feeding is on track first.

Using one well

If you do use a dummy, the Lullaby Trust’s guidance is short and specific:

• Use an orthodontic dummy, which adapts to your baby’s mouth shape (Lullaby Trust).
• Make it part of the sleep routine. Offer the dummy for every sleep, day or night, not just some of them, since the protective association depends on regular use (Lullaby Trust).
• Do not put it back in if it falls out during sleep. There is no need to replace it once your baby is settled (Lullaby Trust).

On picking a brand: the AAP notes there is no known link between price or marketing and how well a dummy actually works, so trying one and seeing if your baby takes to it is the whole method (AAP).

If your baby refuses one

Some babies simply are not interested. When you first offer a dummy, do not be surprised if your baby seems uninterested, gets annoyed, or spits it straight out, even when you know they are not hungry and just want comfort (AAP). For breastfed babies especially, sucking on a dummy uses a different technique than sucking at the breast, and it can take a few tries.

If your baby just is not much of a sucker, that is fine too. There is one less thing to keep track of, and you can simply try again as they are falling asleep if you want to (AAP). No baby needs a dummy to be safe or settled; it is one tool among several, alongside swaddling and a steady bedtime routine.

When to stop

Gently stop using the dummy between 6 and 12 months old, to avoid problems that come with longer term use, such as misaligned teeth and ear infections (Lullaby Trust).

That window gives you real flexibility. There is no single correct week to stop, and easing off gradually, for naps first, or for daytime use first, tends to go better than an abrupt switch. If your baby has moved into the rolling and more mobile stage, that transition can be a natural moment to start winding the dummy down, since your baby’s attention is elsewhere anyway.

When to talk to your doctor

Dummy use rarely needs medical input, but check in if:

• your baby is well past 12 months and still fully reliant on the dummy for daytime settling, and you want a hand with weaning
• you notice repeated ear infections and wonder whether dummy use is playing a part
• teeth are coming in visibly misaligned and you are unsure whether to attribute it to dummy use

And as always: your own concern is reason enough to ask.

Keep reading

• Safe baby sleep and reducing the risk of SIDS
• Swaddling: how to do it safely and when to stop
• How much milk does my baby need?
• All the first-year windows

Sources

• The Lullaby Trust: Dummies (page last reviewed February 2025)
• AAP: Practical Pacifier Principles (Heading Home With Your Newborn, 2nd edition)

Peanutbean provides general information for educational purposes only. It is not medical advice. Every baby develops at their own pace. Always talk to your pediatrician about your child’s health.