Please tell me you are joking, that is the nastiest story i have heard, was it washed and disinfected before the baby touched it? please buy that child something soft and sanitary that vibrates. At least you can take it with you to the mall or doctor or anywhere! Binkies are fine i have 3 children -9,10,20 two or them wanted a binky - i believe binkies and sucking your thumb until all your teeth come in is what is damaging. with 10 years of daycare teaching experience i think all binkies should be slowly taken away between 1 or 1 1/2 years of age NO LONGER!!!!!