Will giving my baby a dummy prevent cot death?

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Dummies aren't a means of prevention as such, but they are associated with a reduced risk of cot death. These recent findings are slightly confusing for parents, but basically mean that if your baby uses a dummy, he should carry on doing so.

Experts don't yet know why dummies help in babies who are used to them, but the statistics prove they do. And dummy-users who suddenly stop are at increased risk of cot death.

So if your baby has a dummy, be sure to use it every night. It's thought that it may help by creating more air space if a baby's face gets under a blanket. But this doesn't wholly explain the difference between users and non-users, so there's no reason for you to introduce one as a means of prevention.

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Is cot death preventable?
Will giving my baby a dummy prevent cot death?

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courtney allen, about 1 year

i am doing a child development course and i am in my second year. I think this is a great page for parents and young parents to read over this as it may help them know more about cot death and should stop so many parents and carers around the world to stop dreding putting there child or children in a cot. xxx

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