DS1 was given a dummy in hospital as he was jaundice and was under lights. I couldn't comfort him and our feeds had to be quick so they could get him back in the crib. I had not even considered a dummy until then, but it was a big help.
Then when he was 6 weeks i had to spend some time in hosp. DH gave DS the dummy to him as I was not able to breasfeed him and he could not comfort suck. He really took to it and it helped settle and calm him in a time of real upheaval.

I took it off him at night time when he was 17months old. He never really cared. We were quite lucky.