A Dundee mum has told of her shock after her baby daughter’s dummy broke into pieces while the tot was sleeping.
Louise Coulstock, 24, from Broughty Ferry, said she went through to check on 17-week-old Lara after she was woken up by her cries.
She assumed it was because her dummy had fallen out but as she went to pick it up she found it lying in three pieces, with one piece still inside her mouth.
Louise, who works as a healthcare assistant at Ninewells Hospital, said: “She has been using it since she was about two months old having got it in November last year.
“She has two of them and uses them at night time. I came in to see her during the night because she was crying as it looked like her dummy had fallen out her mouth.
“When I looked, I could see that it had fallen into three pieces which were lying next to her mouth — and one of them was in her cheek.
“The pieces were definitely small enough for her to choke on. It’s so scary.”
Louise said her dad, Martin, then went online to find out more about the dummy in question, a Philips Avent Soother.
“My dad found news articles from last year about the product and we had no idea that this had happened before,” she said.
“My husband, Kevin, is outraged as well. It’s mainly about the fact that this has happened when there have obviously been other cases recorded.
“I would want a product recall or something because clearly nothing has been done.”
A spokesman for Philips said: “We are sorry to hear of this and, as a responsible manufacturer, we are working to thoroughly investigate what caused the incident.
“For over 30 years, Philips Avent has been trusted by consumers navigating the first months and years of parenthood.
“Nothing is more important to us than the safety of the families who use our products. We regret any complaint that we receive and investigate all of them thoroughly.
“All Philips Avent products, including our soothers, are produced to standards which exceed the requirements set out by safety authorities including those in the United States and Europe.
“We have stringent procedures in place to ensure the highest standards of quality and safety. We encourage parents to read all instructions and documentation that come with every product.”
The company added that if parents have further questions, they should contact the Philips consumer care line on 020 7949 0240.
A spokesman for Asda, where Louise bought the product, said: “The safety and wellbeing of our customers and their families is our number one priority.
“While Ms Coulstock is taking the matter up with Philips directly, as the dummy is made by them, we have provided a full refund and will do anything else we can to help.”
