Attitudes to the use of dummies in New Zealand; a qualitative study.
OBJECTIVE
To explore experiences with, and attitudes to, the use of dummies (pacifiers).


METHODS
Seven focus group discussions were held with groups of mothers and of health professionals.


RESULTS
Most mothers and health care workers had a generally negative view of dummy use. This related particularly to dislike of toddlers with them and practical issues such as getting lost or dirty. All would allow their use in a very unsettled baby. No mothers had personally experienced problems with breastfeeding due to the use of a dummy, but concern about this possibility was expressed by some health care workers. Recommendations varied about the length of time that dummies need to be avoided.


CONCLUSIONS
Mothers in New Zealand use dummies selectively for their infants and were concerned with issues of weaning the baby from the dummy, keeping it clean and not losing it. In analysing the relationships between dummy use and breastfeeding it is important to take into consideration the context of dummy use.
Vogel
A
A
Department of Paediatrics, Auckland School of Medicine.
Mitchell
E A
EA
D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D001294:Attitude to Health; D001942:Breast Feeding; D003253:Consultants / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D017144:Focus Groups; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007224:Infant Care / Q000295:instrumentation*; D009035:Mothers / Q000523:psychology*; D009520:New Zealand; D009721:Nurse Midwives / Q000523:psychology; D009726:Nurses / Q000523:psychology; D014886:Weaning