Parents who suck their childs dummy to clean it could be giving them untold health benefits, scientists have revealed.
Most germophobes would grimace at the sight of parents picking up dirty dummies from the ground, popping it in their mouths and passing it back to their young ones.
But researchers said the habit can actually transfer healthy micro-organisms to children.
A study found children on the receiving end of a sucked dummy have fewer antibodies linked to asthma, food and dust allergies, a study found.
They had lower levels of Immunoglobulin E (IgE), an antibody related to allergic responses in the body.
High IgE levels typically indicate a greater risk of having allergies and allergic asthma, lead author Eliane Abou-Jaoude said.
More: UK
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The study, by Henry Ford Health System in Detroit, interviewed 128 mothers about their parenting habits.
More than half (58%) said their child currently uses a dummy, and 12% of those parents said they sucked the dummy to clean it.
Co-author Edward Zoratti said: We found that parental pacifier sucking was linked to suppressed IgE levels beginning around 10 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 parents mouth.
It is unclear whether the lower IgE production seen among these children continues into later years.
Scientists cautioned the study, being presented at the American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology (ACAAI) Annual Scientific Meeting in Seattle, required more research.
Dr Abou-Jaoude said that while it indicated an association between parental pacifier sucking and children with lower IgE levels, it does not necessarily mean the practice itself causes the lower levels.
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