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Tuesday, November 04, 2003
Choosing the best pacifier for your baby
WHETHER you’re an experienced parent or brand new to the job, here are some simple rules to follow when choosing and using a pacifier.
Look for a one-piece pacifier. Pacifiers made of several small pieces may come apart and pose a choking hazard. Also, watch your baby’s pacifier for signs of deterioration. Replace a pacifier when the nipple starts to appear worn. A worn nipple can tear off and choke a baby.
Wash pacifiers daily with soap and water. Rinsing them in a solution of 1 part vinegar to 1 part water and letting them air dry may inhibit fungal growth on the pacifier.
Keep safety in mind. Some days it will seem that your baby’s pacifier spends as much time on the floor as in the baby’s mouth. Many stores sell short straps that clip to your child’s clothing and keep the pacifier within your reach. However, never use a string or strap long enough to get caught around the baby’s neck.
Try other ways to calm your baby. Don’t pop a pacifier into your baby’s mouth every time he or she cries.
Have an identical backup pacifier available. Experienced parents can recount their scrambling to find a replacement for a lost favorite pacifier. Many babies will refuse a substitute pacifier, so don’t leave home without it.
Offer the pacifier less frequently as your baby’s first birthday approaches. The need for sucking gradually goes away between a baby’s 12th and 15th months. Encourage your baby to go to sleep without the pacifier. A pacifier can be a nuisance because your baby may lose it and wake up.
Pacifiers come in many shapes and styles.
If you’re debating what type of pacifier is right for your baby, you may want to consult your doctor, nurse, or family and friends who already have children. Differing shapes and firmness options work better at certain times. For example, when teething, many babies like to chew on a tougher pacifier that you’ve chilled in the refrigerator.
(November 4, 2003 issue)
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