Why sucking your child’s dummy clean is best way to fight allergies

‘Exposure stimulates immune system’

MUMS who suck dummies to clean them have children with fewer antibodies linked to asthma, food and dust allergies, say researchers.

It may be because parents then transfer their own bacteria to their child’s mouth, helping to boost their immune system.

Researchers led by US healthcare firm Henry Ford Health System asked 128 mothers how they cleaned dummies. Then they tested the infants’ blood.

Lower levels of immunoglobin E (IgE) antibodies, triggered when children have allergic responses, were found in infants whose parents used their mouths instead of tap water or sterilising.

The study, presented at a Seattle meeting of the American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology, found one in eight sucked their child’s dummy.

Just over two in five sterilised, boiled, steamed or put it in the microwave or dishwasher. Most, or 72 per cent, rinsed it or used washing up liquid.

Lead author Dr Eliane Abou-Jaoude, an allergist from Henry Ford, said: ‘We know that exposure to certain microorganisms early in life stimulates development of the immune system and may protect against allergic diseases later.’

Dr Edward Zoratti, a co-author of the study, said: ‘We found that parental dummy sucking was linked to suppressed IgE levels beginning around ten months, and continued through 18 months.

‘Further research is needed, but we believe the effect may be due to the transfer of health-promoting microbes from the parent’s mouth.’

He added: ‘It is unclear whether the lower IgE production seen among these children continues into later years.’