I never thought a dummy could be a choking hazard

Has there ever been a video that has been this uncomfortable to watch? Warning: confronting content. The baby in this video is now safe and ok.

A heart-stopping moment captured on a family’s baby monitor has brought to light an alarming risk many parents never imagined.

The distressing footage showed a seven-month-old baby struggling to breathe while choking on a dummy. 

Australian parenting expert Nikki Jurcutz, founder of Tiny Hearts Education and a former paramedic, was left stunned, saying, “I had never considered that this was even a possibility before.” 

She shared the video to raise awareness and emphasised the importance of dummy safety.

Please be aware this video is quite confronting, and viewer discretion is advised. The baby in the video is now safe and ok.

The world's most uncomfortable 60 seconds

In the video, the seven-month-old baby is seen choking on a dummy for a whole minute before finally spitting it out. 

Nikki spoke about the mother’s wish to share the video to educate others about the potential danger of using the wrong-sized dummy. 

The comments section exploded with worried parents from around the world weighing in.

“This was absolutely soul-crushing to watch. I held my breath watching this video,” said one commenter.

Another added, “Thank God bub is okay!!!”

“This traumatised me, and now I don’t want to give a dummy to my baby during sleep!” A worried mum wrote.

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What do the regulations say?

Australia enforces strict regulations to ensure the safety of baby products, including dummies. 

The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) oversees these standards, which cover various aspects, including sharp edges, shield size, ventilation holes, and teat smoothness. 

The standards aim to reduce the risk of choking hazards and other injuries.

Age-appropriate dummies

Parents are strongly encouraged to monitor their baby’s growth and choose age-appropriate dummies as their child’s mouth develops. 

As Nikki pointed out, “Choosing the right dummy and ensuring its safety can be challenging for parents. Remember that every child is unique, and what works for one may not work for another.”

Safety requirements for baby dummies

Dummies, also known as pacifiers, provide comfort to babies, but their safety depends on appropriate design and use. 

The Australian Standards outline precise design and construction requirements, which are crucial for the safety of dummies.

All dummy components must be free from sharp edges that could harm babies, and the shield must be of a minimum size to prevent it from fitting entirely into the baby’s mouth.

The shield must have two or more ventilation holes to allow the baby to breathe if the dummy becomes lodged in their mouth.

The teat must also be smooth to prevent fluid from entering it, as bacterial growth can cause infections.

The ring or handle attached to the dummy must not detach from the shield or come apart to prevent choking hazards. It should be easy for an adult carer to remove if it becomes lodged in the baby’s mouth.

Parents are strongly encouraged to monitor their baby’s growth and choose age-appropriate dummies. Source: iStock

Choosing the right dummy

When selecting a dummy for your baby, keep these standards in mind. 

Regularly inspect the dummy for wear or damage and replace it if necessary. 

As your baby grows, switch to age-appropriate dummies to ensure their safety and comfort.

For more information on mandatory dummy standards, consult the ACCC’s statement here.

Originally published as I never thought a dummy could be a choking hazard