Study shows dummies may cut risk of cot death by 90%

PARENTS who give their sleeping babies dummies during their first year of life cut the risk of cot death by more than 90%, a study has found.

Using a dummy also seemed to counteract other factors linked to increased risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) such as babies sleeping face-down or on their side, or parental smoking.

The findings suggest dummies have a much bigger protective effect than previously thought.