Are you expecting a newborn? Are you stocking up on items for your nursery? Pacifiers are a common item parents buy for their newborns. Pacifiers are used to soothe a baby when it is fussy. The sucking action can calm the baby. Some parents use them to discourage thumb and finger sucking. Safety is always an issue with a newborn or young child. If your baby uses a pacifier, you want to consider purchasing a pacifier clip to keep it attached to your child's clothing.
Pacifiers are one piece and have a guard or shield attached to the base. The materials used to manufacture pacifiers include latex, molded silicone or a combination of plastic and silicone. Silicone pacifiers are sturdy, do not retain odors, and are easy to clean. Those made of latex are softer than silicone and retain odors. If you are concerned about your baby developing an allergy or sensitivity to latex, you should consider purchasing silicone pacifiers.
A study by the American Academy of Pediatrics on sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) shows that pacifiers at nap time and bedtime may reduce this threat. There is also concern that pacifiers interfere with breast feeding. You may want to wait one month to six weeks before you introduce the pacifier to your newborn.
Other concerns are that by using a pacifier, your baby will develop dental problems such as protruding front teeth, an overbite, or improper jaw formation as they age. For these reasons, you should consider stopping the use of a pacifier for your child between the ages of one and two.
Here are some tips for purchasing pacifiers:
- Check to make sure the nipple is firmly attached to the base. If you can pull it off, your baby may be able to pull it apart.
- Purchase an orthodontic and a rounded pacifier.
- Make sure the pacifier has vent holes in the guard or shield to guard against skin rash.
- Read the package label to determine how the pacifier can be sanitized after its use or after it has been dropped.
- Check for recalls.
Babies drop pacifiers. For safety reasons, you do not want to tie the pacifier around the baby's neck with ribbon or string. Instead, purchase a clip-on holder which will attach to the baby to the baby's clothing. Make sure the pacifier clip does not have beads or other objects which can cause choking.
Sandra writes articles for a number of Internet websites dealing with personal lifestyle and the challenges of daily life. Read more about pacifier clips and view our selection of pacifier clips.
