NUK dummy warning

[jaq]

WARNING: Anyone using NUK dummies - throw them out now. Yesterday I found my 7 month old daughter with hers completely in her mouth, wedged towards the back of her mouth, just a few minutes after I had put her down. I use it primarily to settle her for daytime naps, so don't supervise 100% while trying to settle her. (Never again.) I had just popped in to take the dummy out if she had fallen asleep, and had no warning sign of this hazard - she was unable to cry because it was obstructing her, but was clearly very distressed. Because NUK have the much smaller mouthguard, I figure she put it in sideways and then twisted it around. I have switched to another brand with a full mouthguard and will be sending a letter to NUK, their distributor, and the Consumers Association today, demanding action. I've seen other posts on this board describing the same problem - for your baby's sake, please don't underestimate the risk!

Jaq & Annika

[andrewsmum]

Wow, you were extremely lucky that it wasn't serious.:eek:

Yes, I think a written complaint to the authorities are in order.

[our little treasures]

we use a nuk with our 6mnth and there is no way this could get in his mouth, might be different brands.. I would write that letter and demand action though.. This is very scary.:(

[~Chick79~]

How scary for you! :eek:

Ryan has a dummy when he goes down for a nap and I do the same thing (go in alittle while later and take it out once he is asleep)... luckily though he never took to the nuk brand (nor any cheap brand - only avent!). I would definitely be writing a letter!

[Odessa]

Hi jaq,

I hope you don't mind, I've moved this thread to safety issues.

How horrifying! I would think that dummies are tested to make sure babies can't nearly swallow them :(

I saw a brand of dummies at Target that look sort of like butterflies, they're quite large and look as though they wouldn't at all fit into a babies' mouth...

[drewid]

I think I saw a similar warning post a few months ago. Not sure if it was the same brand of dummy though.

We have always used Happy Baby dummies and never had a worry. They're also cheaper :)

[jaq]

Thanks for all the sympathy - it was a big shock and the panic attack is still subsiding. To angelbaby 8, please don't assume it won't go in - unless its a different shaped dummy from NUK - and I've never seen any other type from them, (like a fat crescent moon on its side), it could well happen. Its not like I was using a small one or anything - I had upgraded to a six months plus version when Annika was four months old because I read a post like this several months ago and it scared me. And yes, I was "sure" it couldn't go in either. I think the angled shape meant she could get one side in, twist it and then get the other side in, which is why the round ones (which I have now) SHOULD be safer.

If anyone else has similar stories, please email me and I'll be able to refer to them in my letters. (I have seen the post from November last year about the same problem). It really is horribly dangerous and obviously not all that unusual either.

darkstar - thanks for moving this - wasn't sure where it was best located.

Jaq & Annika

[HoopDeeDoo]

The butterfly ones are Maam thats the only brand my son will take. He can still get it stuck in his mouth, but you're right it doesn't go all the way in, and because of the shape it would never block the air flow.

[angcaltam]

Thanks for the warning. I'm due in April and we are shopping around for dummies at the moment and were going to go with Nuk, but we are thinking twice now.
Let us know how you go.

[tickle]

I have always used Nuk dummies. There is a different type that you can get in the brand that is not so 'aerodynamic', I guess you'd say. They are a more traditional dummy shape.
There is no difference in the actual outside dummy shape between the sizes, just the sucky bit. If that makes any sense.:)

[SH3LBY]

We always use Tommee Tippee for everything... the Nuk stuff we were given is cr@p, so to speak

[♥Heaven Sent♥]

My daughter only took to tommee tippee thank god she didnt take to nuk the mouth guard on tommee tippee ones are really wide and wouldnt fit in dd's mouth.

[bpato]

Hi

I know choice issued a warning about dummies not long ago about this exact problem. If I remeber correctly it was the NUK dummies too.

NUK repose to the issue was that it was not there fault as the children who had swalled the summies so to speak where 3 and 6 months (I think) and should of been using the next size dummies. I find this of some concern as they age there dummies from 0 -3, 3-6, 6-12 ect, so how are we the comsumers supposed to know when to change when the ages overlapp.

DS has avent dummies, and we haven't had an issue, but he is now 4 months and will not take the 3 -6 month size. he preferrs his newborn ones.

Belinda

[giggles]

I believe there is another thread about a NUK dummy and the same thing happening on here from earlier.

I remember it because we were using NUK at the time and I promptly changed.

Unfortunately it seems there is going to have to be a horrible accident before anything is done by NUK.

[Shazbutt]

I must admit i have always used Nuk dummies, and haven't had a problem (thats not to say there couldn't be one sometime though...)

My girls never took to any of the other shaped teats, no matter how hard i tried...If anyone knows of another dummy that has the same shaped teats as the Nuk ones and are silicone (hate the Happy Baby latex ones, especially when teething), can you let me know, as i would change if i had another to go to.

[Kamaikia]

I never used nuk dummys - I think it was advent I used but I have to say this. All dummies - no matter the shape pose a choking risk. Most of you will notice that dummies have at least 1 small hole in them. This hole is in dummys so that if a baby swallows them they can get a bit of air. Even the big old round dummies people used to use had holes for this reason - and you wouldn't think a baby could swallow one of those.
For those who are worried though heres a test for your dummy - anything that fits into a film canister is the perfect size for a baby to choke on. If it iis too big them they won't swallow it.

[Tan-mumof3]

I used NUK dummies when my DD was born as this was the only type she would use, she loved her dummy! But when i read the article i noticed that the dummy had changed shape since i used it 4 years ago, they appear to be more slimline and flatter to their face (if that makes sense) also the ring never used to fit in the shape of the mouthgaurd it used to stick out. I didn't need dummies for DS as he hated them but with him i bought the happy baby ones as they are cheaper and after reading this if i have another baby i wont be using nuk again. I like the look of the Maam ones(the ones that look like butterflys) so maybe i will try that next time. hope you find another brand your baby likes :)

[shanz]

Where can i find the Maam brand butterfly shaped dummies? i've never seen them before.

[Tan-mumof3]

Hi ive only seen the maam dummies in Target. not sure if you can get them anywhere else, but they are really cute. :)

[Odessa]

www.mambaby.com

They stock mam dummies and accessories at Target, I can't find any stockist info on the website...

[Rockett]

IMy girls never took to any of the other shaped teats, no matter how hard i tried...If anyone knows of another dummy that has the same shaped teats as the Nuk ones and are silicone (hate the Happy Baby latex ones, especially when teething), can you let me know, as i would change if i had another to go to.


Shazbutt
We changed from NUK to the Heinz Baby Basics dummies,they are the same shape,and DD took to them with no dramas,and they are silicone too.Woolies or Coles have them.Though my local Coles have recently started to keep only the cherry shape instead of both shapes.



Shanz,I've seen the Mam dummies at Woolies and Franklins supermarkets.:)

[shanz]

Thanks everyone i will have a look. We only have a target country here and they dont have them so i'll try woolies and franklins.

[Shazbutt]

Thanks Butterfly, i don't think i've even seen the Heinz dummies before....will look next time i go shopping!

[addbaby]

I have just joined this forum to also post a warning about NUK dummies. I had a similar experience, that could have ended in a horrific accident, had I now heard my darling choking. I also had left my 6 month old with their NUK "starlight" dummy in her mouth on her rug whilst going to the bathroom, and heard her coughing from the bathroom, and thouht to myslef, must get that cough checked, then heard the cough get more severe, until I realised it sounded like she was choking. I returned to find my baby with the WHOLE NUK dummy lodged in her throat backwards, and luckily was able to pry it from her mouth with my fingers. It was a terrifying experience and I am furious with NUK that they still have this product on the market. I have since found out from a friend that Choice magazie recently did safety checks of dummies and found the NUK to be particularly dangerous. I too have contacted the company - yet without reply and intend on telling everyone I know. Please spread the word......say NUP to NUK dummies....save our babies.

[addbaby]

Thanks Odessa,
I followed the links to the Choice magazine article and then also to the links to the ACCC to make a formal complaint about these dangerous dummies.

[Leeny]

Just for the people who were asking, Maam dummies are also sold in most coles and woolies stores :)

[Damien'sDad]

I have just joined this forum to also post a warning about NUK dummies. I had a similar experience, that could have ended in a horrific accident, had I now heard my darling choking. I also had left my 6 month old with their NUK "starlight" dummy in her mouth on her rug whilst going to the bathroom, and heard her coughing from the bathroom, and thouht to myslef, must get that cough checked, then heard the cough get more severe, until I realised it sounded like she was choking. I returned to find my baby with the WHOLE NUK dummy lodged in her throat backwards, and luckily was able to pry it from her mouth with my fingers. It was a terrifying experience and I am furious with NUK that they still have this product on the market. I have since found out from a friend that Choice magazie recently did safety checks of dummies and found the NUK to be particularly dangerous. I too have contacted the company - yet without reply and intend on telling everyone I know. Please spread the word......say NUP to NUK dummies....save our babies.

I am a representative of Simes Australia, the Australian distributor of NUK baby products. Let me first express my regret that you and your daughter experienced this unfortunate incident, but I would like to set the record straight in regards to the safety of NUK soothers.

NUK soothers comply with the strict mandatory European Safety Standard EN1400. This standard is viewed internationally as a benchmark for soother safety. The standard acknowledges that babies will in rare circumstances take the entire soother into their mouth. In setting Standard EN 1400 the experts considered the issues of soother safety as well as functionality. They came to the conclusion that soothers with mouth-shields that are large enough so that they can never be taken whole in the mouth by a baby, fail completely on functionality as they end up being too ungainly to be fit for their obvious purpose. A compromise between the largest yet safest possible mouth-shield dimensions were agreed upon by the board.

In compliance NUK soothers are large enough that they cannot be swallowed or become lodged in a baby’s throat, but small enough so that if the soother is taken completely into the mouth it will not become trapped in the mouth and can be removed with ease. Other safety features include the handle, which can be grabbed to quickly remove the soother from the mouth, and ventilation holes, which allow baby to continue to breathe in the event that they do take the entire soother into their mouth.

A soother with a larger mouth shield will not eliminate the possibility of the soother being taken completely into the mouth, and in actuality represents a greater danger, as it could become wedged in baby’s mouth making it difficult to remove.

As you noted several similar incidents were reported in Choice magazine. In these incidents the soother was taken completely into the mouth causing the baby to gag, but not choke. Choking implies that the soother is lodged in the throat – NUK soothers are far too large to fit in a baby’s small throat. In all cases the soother was removed easily from the mouth without any need for further intervention or treatment.

Choice acted irresponsibly when they labelled NUK dummies as unsafe. They measured NUK dummies against an outdated standard which has no legal standing in any Australian state or territory. As NUK dummies are made in Germany they comply with the strict mandatory European Safety Standard EN 1400 (approved July 2002), which is widely regarded as an international benchmark for soother safety.

We accept that the incident was distressing to you and your baby, but stand by the safety of our soothers. NUK soothers are sold in 75 countries throughout the world for 50 years and there has NEVER been a serious injury reported as a result of using our soothers.

[Mum&bubs]

WOW :eek: how scary! Makes me not want to trust any dummy!

[jessgray]

my DS1 used Nuk dummies up until 3 months old and he never had a problem with them. i am still a bit perplexed as to how a dummy can fit in a babies mouth though i cannot remember the size of the nuk dummies as DS now uses heinz ones and tommie tippie ones. the heinz ones seemed to be better when he is teething coz the rubber sides.

i know seeing a child choke can be very scary.
but i read this whole thread and Damien'sDad's post does clear up alot of the safety concerns.


In compliance NUK soothers are large enough that they cannot be swallowed or become lodged in a baby’s throat, but small enough so that if the soother is taken completely into the mouth it will not become trapped in the mouth and can be removed with ease. Other safety features include the handle, which can be grabbed to quickly remove the soother from the mouth, and ventilation holes, which allow baby to continue to breathe in the event that they do take the entire soother into their mouth.

[little mermaid]

I must admit i have always used Nuk dummies, and haven't had a problem (thats not to say there couldn't be one sometime though...)

My girls never took to any of the other shaped teats, no matter how hard i tried...If anyone knows of another dummy that has the same shaped teats as the Nuk ones and are silicone (hate the Happy Baby latex ones, especially when teething), can you let me know, as i would change if i had another to go to.
Yes I would be inerested to know as well!! But I did read Damien's Dad's post and it was quite informative. Thankyou for that Damien's Dad.

[damien's mum]

Woah, we have used NUK since day one, but recently, i have noticed that Damien can put the whole thing in his mouth, i thought this was due to him telling me he doesnt need one anymore, and that his mouth was getting bigger, Lol.

So thanks for the warning, i will be taking it off of him today!

[Missus S]

As you noted several similar incidents were reported in Choice magazine. In these incidents the soother was taken completely into the mouth causing the baby to gag, but not choke. Choking implies that the soother is lodged in the throat – NUK soothers are far too large to fit in a baby’s small throat. In all cases the soother was removed easily from the mouth without any need for further intervention or treatment.

Choice acted irresponsibly when they labelled NUK dummies as unsafe. They measured NUK dummies against an outdated standard which has no legal standing in any Australian state or territory. As NUK dummies are made in Germany they comply with the strict mandatory European Safety Standard EN 1400 (approved July 2002), which is widely regarded as an international benchmark for soother safety.

Thank you for this information and for your honesty about your employment.

My DD loves the Nuk dummies and bottles. When I read the Choice magazine article I was concerned, but confused as to how 'such a supposedly dangerous product' that we stick in our infants mouths could still remain for sale. We see product recalls all the time for toys that could possibly pose a choking hazard.

So thank you. Obviously the Government regulatory authorities are satisfied with the NUK dummies or they would have taken action. When you think about it.......CHOICE magazine review thousands of different products so how could they possibly be experts in all those fields. It would be the companies that spend all the money on extensive research and of course they wouldn't want bad publicity from selling unsafe products, particularly when it involves precious babies.

[mum25kids]

HI

I am Gayle, mum to Jonah (from the choice article).

Finding my child with his whole dummy in his mouth was very scary. However I still use a nuk dummy with my new baby too. I use the old style ones now though. The problems as far as i am aware have all been with the new 'starlight' design. I have not used one of those since the incident.

There are so many dummy styles because kids are so different, my 5 are certainly all unique. If a dummy doesnt suit you, try something else. You need to do what works for you and your child.

[blessedmummy]

wow! how scary is that!! im glad i dont use nuk ones.. i only use happy baby ones cause they are cheap and really good shape.. hope the company is well notified!!


Me25
DH25:kiss:
Emily3:smiliedance:
Clare22months:smiliedance:

[jaq]

Firstly, Missus, please don't take this as a personal attack. It's not meant that way, and for that matter, it isn't an attack on Damien's Dad (from NUK) either. I just wanted to clarify a few things since I started this whole thread way back when.

Firstly, the point about standards. Damien's Dad (quite rightly) states that the Starlight Soothers (and we should be specific about the type of dummy in question, I admit I shouldn't have pointed my finger at the whole NUK range) are compliant to the European Standard, and that it is newer (and they say, better) than the Australian standard. It is certainly newer, but the Australian standard specifies the dummy plate be a certain size, and Choice's testing has shown it is not. Why would the standard writers specify a certain plate size if this was not considered a safety issue?

The Australian standard is NOT mandatory. This is a failing of the Australian government, a pro-business government that believes companies should be good corporate citizens and cnoose to meet voluntary standards. Nuk, as a German company, chooses to meet the European standard rather than the Australian standard. I think that the failure here is that of our government in not making the Australian standard mandatory, but that NUK should not dismiss the complaints - and yes, I have complained formally - of its customers by suggesting the European standard is superior, and that their dummies are not unsafe. As they did mine.

"Unsafe" brings me to "choking". Annika (dd) was NOT choking, nor did I suggest she was. I was very careful in the language I used on the board, and later with Choice magazine. She WAS very distressed, and in considerable discomfort - you try lodging something the same size as your mouth inside it, and see how you like it. Of course she was breathing - but with difficulty.

This is NOT acceptable for me, and I choose not to use NUK dummies as a result. Certainly not ever the Starlight Soother ever again, or any similar shaped one. My new dummies happened to have passed the Choice tests (which are very simple and based on the Australian standard, certainly not requiring any specialist knowledge) and Annika hasn't got it into her mouth yet.

So, in summary? Complaints etc can be ignored - to government, to ACCC, to standards bodies - because at the end of the day we have a "business-friendly" goverment that cares less about children. You have a choice to buy or not buy something that MAY upset your child. It may not. But its your choice. It's called consumer power, people.

Sorry to have raved.

Jaq & Annika


Thank you for this information and for your honesty about your employment.

My DD loves the Nuk dummies and bottles. When I read the Choice magazine article I was concerned, but confused as to how 'such a supposedly dangerous product' that we stick in our infants mouths could still remain for sale. We see product recalls all the time for toys that could possibly pose a choking hazard.

So thank you. Obviously the Government regulatory authorities are satisfied with the NUK dummies or they would have taken action. When you think about it.......CHOICE magazine review thousands of different products so how could they possibly be experts in all those fields. It would be the companies that spend all the money on extensive research and of course they wouldn't want bad publicity from selling unsafe products, particularly when it involves precious babies.

[Missus S]

Not a worry Jaq.............as you said we all have a choice as consumers so everyone can feel free to purchase whatever dummy they like.

I, personally, was satisfied with the information provided by Damien's Dad. It made complete sense to me that the dummies are designed to a size so that if they do lodge in a baby's mouth they can be easily removed as opposed to a larger sized dummy that may slip into the mouth and not be easily removed at exactly the time when your child is completely distressed.

Has anybody seen figures of how many cases have been reported of this occuring/or any injuries or (god forbid) deaths resulting from the use of a dummy with ALL brands of dummies on the Australian market? I would be interested in seeing this for myself rather than through possibly selective information published in a CHOICE magazine article.

BTW Jaq............I do really appreciate the warning on here & understand your anger............but as I mentioned I, personally, feel reassured with the information provided by Damien's Dad & have seen shocking cases of poor & irresponsible journalism in the past which have caused unneccessary hysteria amongst consumers which has really opened my eyes even further to 'not believing everything you read/see'........which is why it would have been great if CHOICE could have perhaps published a report on the figures I mentioned above.

[Indigosmum]

I too have used NUK dummies since day one and found that at around 10 months DS could fit the whole thing into his mouth too (when they start playing around with it and fiddling with it etc..) but he grew out of this and doesnt try to put it in any other way aside from how it is meant to be. I tried the NUK starlight design, but found that shape even slightly worse.. I looked everywhere for a different shaped dummy that wouldnt pose such a problem, but DS either didnt like it or those other ones dont have 'handles?'

Now DS is 18 months I would like to start getting rid of his dummy altogether or will soon need to find a new brand as this NUK one is only up to 18 months anyhow..

Danielle - 25 :D
Damien - 25 :D
Indigo - 18 months :eek:

[Damien'sDad]

I too have used NUK dummies since day one and found that at around 10 months DS could fit the whole thing into his mouth too (when they start playing around with it and fiddling with it etc..) but he grew out of this and doesnt try to put it in any other way aside from how it is meant to be. I tried the NUK starlight design, but found that shape even slightly worse.. I looked everywhere for a different shaped dummy that wouldnt pose such a problem, but DS either didnt like it or those other ones dont have 'handles?'

Now DS is 18 months I would like to start getting rid of his dummy altogether or will soon need to find a new brand as this NUK one is only up to 18 months anyhow..

Danielle - 25 :D
Damien - 25 :D
Indigo - 18 months :eek:

Hi Indigosmum,

NUK make soothers suitable for infants aged between 18 months and 3 years. The nipple part is made of latex which is less likely to tear if nicked by Indigo's little teeth. Silicone is more prone to tearing if nicked. For that reason NUK do not make soothers with silicone teats for ages greater than 18 months. Look for NUK latex soothers in the green packaging (Age Group 3). Your best bet is to try Target stores, larger pharmacy or baby shops. Good luck with that!

[JLCWILL]

WARNING: Anyone using NUK dummies - throw them out now. Yesterday I found my 7 month old daughter with hers completely in her mouth, wedged towards the back of her mouth, just a few minutes after I had put her down. I use it primarily to settle her for daytime naps, so don't supervise 100% while trying to settle her. (Never again.) I had just popped in to take the dummy out if she had fallen asleep, and had no warning sign of this hazard - she was unable to cry because it was obstructing her, but was clearly very distressed. Because NUK have the much smaller mouthguard, I figure she put it in sideways and then twisted it around. I have switched to another brand with a full mouthguard and will be sending a letter to NUK, their distributor, and the Consumers Association today, demanding action. I've seen other posts on this board describing the same problem - for your baby's sake, please don't underestimate the risk!

Jaq & Annika
The same thing happened to my 10 month old son. He had the whole thing in his mouth and it terrified me as I put him to bed the night before with the same dummy. I have since complained and was told by the ppl that distribute here (simmes) that they wouldnt offer me a refund as they didnt see the dummy as faulty and she also said that there was never an incident that there was a child harmed by a NUK dummy. They obviously dont go onto the internet.

[JLCWILL]

Hi Indigosmum,

NUK make soothers suitable for infants aged between 18 months and 3 years. The nipple part is made of latex which is less likely to tear if nicked by Indigo's little teeth. Silicone is more prone to tearing if nicked. For that reason NUK do not make soothers with silicone teats for ages greater than 18 months. Look for NUK latex soothers in the green packaging (Age Group 3). Your best bet is to try Target stores, larger pharmacy or baby shops. Good luck with that!
You sound like you are working for NUK?

[BABYMAMA87]

im pretty sure children can get most dummies into their mouths if they try hard enough but if you read info about it on alot of dummy sites they say not to panic if they can get the whole thing into their mouth because they cant actually swallow it.

[SCORPIOGEMINI]

im pretty sure children can get most dummies into their mouths if they try hard enough but if you read info about it on alot of dummy sites they say not to panic if they can get the whole thing into their mouth because they cant actually swallow it.

:iagree: My elderst daughter never had a dummy, but my youngest daughter took to the Nuk dummies, I never had a problem, and when we have another child I will be using Nuk again, I personally like the brand.
But I do feel for those people who havent had a good experience with Nuk.

Me:valentine:Hubby
DD1:cloud9: DD2:smiliedance: Blessed Twice:yes:

[kayla Lilyz mum]

Its funny because when i saw the title of this thread i thought immediately- I bet a child has put the entire dummy in there mouth! How do i know this? My dd did the same thing when she was a baby, there not very safe at all.

[puddlejumper]

Wow i found this while searching google, how scary. Will throw them all out.
Great site. :thumbsup:

[kowitzrhrr]

Hi,
I completely understand where you are coming from I just wrote a letter to Nuk myself yesterday my 6 month old son got the ring at the back of the dummy lodged in his mouth I had to rip it out and caused bleeding and pain it took my husband an I over an hour to calm him down.
I hope they do something!!!:confused:

[CourtneyGoodz]

I think I saw a similar warning post a few months ago. Not sure if it was the same brand of dummy though.

We have always used Happy Baby dummies and never had a worry. They're also cheaper :)

These got recalled last year for a good few months

[SalTheGal]

Thread closed as the information is now quite old.