Hi, we have recently started offering our 3 month old baby a dummy however he only occasionally wants it and sometimes sleeps with it and sometimes goes to sleep without it. I read the article that advises you should only use a dummy if baby wants it consistently and I wanted to ask why that is the case? Is it not safe for a baby to use a dummy intermittently?

Red Nose information about dummy use is mainly related to use of a dummy as a risk reduction for Sudden Unexpected Death in Infancy (SUDI)
There is some evidence to support the use of a dummy as a risk reduction for SUDI, however, Red Nose does not promote the use of a dummy as part of Safe Sleep recommendations. (Some countries eg USA have added to recommendations, other countries haven’t)
If you choose to use a dummy for risk reduction, then it needs to be used for all sleeps.
If parents are using a dummy as a settling techniques, then it can be used as required.

Do not introduce a dummy until breastfeeding is established (approx 8 weeks) regardless of reason for use.
https://rednose.org.au/article/does-dummy-use-reduce-the-risk-of-sudden-unexpected-death-in-infancy

Can you let me know a little more about this product - eg what is it for? Link to a picture?