While not all infants take well to pacifiers, others cannot live a day without them. But before you purchase a pacifier, there are some basics you should know about caring for and choosing your baby’s pacifier. Find out more here.
Caring for and choosing your baby’s pacifier may seem like a simple and straightforward task, and it is—if you know a few basic rules. Lack of knowledge, however, can result in a number of complications, from bacterial infections to choking hazards and even pacifier rejection. To prevent these common pacifier issues, among many others, follow these simple tips and guidelines that can help you in caring for and choosing your baby’s pacifier.
Caring for and Choosing Your Baby’s Pacifier: Selecting the Right Pacifier
First and foremost, you need to know how to choose the right pacifier for your baby. Every baby is different and preferences will vary. Breastfeeding babies may prefer different types of pacifiers than bottle fed babies, but a breastfeeding pacifier may not always be preferred by a breastfed baby, or vice versa. For this reason, you should purchase a wide range of pacifiers before your baby is born. Buy one of each type: orthodontic, standard round, latex, and silicone.
All pacifiers you choose should be for babies 0-6 months. Pacifiers should also have ventilation holes to allow saliva to disperse away from baby’s face. Mouth shields should also be at least 1 ¼ inches to prevent your baby from being able to put the entire pacifier in his or her mouth. Failure to follow this guideline can result in choking.
Caring for and Choosing Your Baby’s Pacifier: Cleaning
Before your baby uses their pacifier for the first time, it should be washed in very hot, soapy water. After that, normal washing should suffice. You may also want to soak the pacifier in equal parts vinegar and water daily to prevent fungus buildup. If your baby drops his or her pacifier on the floor, you can simply rinse it in hot water.
Caring for and Choosing Your Pacifier: Replacement
Your baby’s pacifier should be replaced as soon as it starts to show any signs of wear and tear. This can include spots on the nipple that look weak, separation of the nipple from the mouth shield, and holes or bite marks in the nipple. Replacement is an important part of caring for and choosing your baby’s pacifier for both safety and sanitary reasons.