Definition of Dummy

Dummy: In science experiments, a substance without any active ingredient, a placebo. In the UK, a pacifier: an artificial nipple, usually made of plastic, upon which an infant can suck to gain some solace and quiet down.

Dummies have been claimed to cause early weaning. However, a study (JAMA, July 18, 2001) was done of women who were planned to breastfeed for at least 3 months. All of the women were told how to soothe a crying or fussy child, but one group of women was told to avoid giving their baby a dummy. Advising women not to give their baby a dummy had no effect. The rate of early weaning was the same in both groups. The use of a dummy does not cause early weaning.