Choosing a Pacifier
Hush little baby – how to choose the right pacifier
From grumpy baby to contented angel
Pacifier, dummy, soother or binky – whatever you call it, this little rubber or silicone wonder can be magic at turning a grumpy baby into a contented angel in seconds. As with most baby items, the amount of choice and conflicting advice can be overwhelming. Here, we look at the pros and cons of pacifier use, how to choose the right one and the best time to introduce it.
To pacify or not to pacify?
Even if you don’t intend to use one, having a pacifier in your arsenal of baby soothing tricks can be a lifesaver. While some parents aim to avoid pacifiers, worrying that it’s introducing a bad habit, a baby can’t suck too much in the early days – they’ve spent a lot of time in the womb doing just that. Having one on hand for tricky situations like long car trips and unscheduled outings can save your sanity.
Why would my baby want one?
Pacifiers are designed to mimic a mother’s nipple and can provide instant calm to babies that love to suck. They can be a handy option for babies who are fussy between feeds, helping them drift off to sleep. Research indicates that pacifiers may help reduce the risk of SIDS (Sudden Infant Death Syndrome). Some babies are just not interested though, so don’t force it.
When should I introduce one?
While there’s no hard and fast rule if you’re breastfeeding it’s better to wait until the four-week mark. Let your new babe get a solid grasp of breastfeeding before bringing a rival nipple into the picture. If you’re bottle-feeding, you can introduce one straight away.
You’ll soon get used to your baby’s cues for when to offer a pacifier – usually after feeding or at nap time. Don’t worry if you get it wrong, babies are great at ejecting them!
What to look for in a pacifier:
- Quality – silicone is best, like this one from NUK, as it lasts longer, but soft, flexible latex is also popular. Whatever material you choose, pacifiers don’t last forever. Replace them at the first sign of wear – keep an eye out for discolouration, holes, tears or weak spots.
- Size – choose a size to suit your little one, starting from newborn right up to 18 months plus. The right size will fit your babe’s mouth correctly and isn’t a choking hazard.
- Comfort – from jewelled pacifiers to glow in the dark, comfort should be right up there when making your choice. A pacifier with a soft, flexible nipple, ample holes for airflow and an easily grasped ring like this one from Haakaa is ideal.
- Easy to clean – timesavers are a new mum’s best friends, so a silicone pacifier that can go through the dishwasher will make life easy.
You’ll probably work through a few different types of pacifiers before you find one that your baby loves.
Pulling the plug on pacifiers
Saying bye-bye to a pacifier can be tough, especially once you have a toddler on your hands. It’s likely to result in less sleep for everyone for a wee while – a baby that relies on it as a sleep aid will find it difficult without it at first. Phasing it out at around 6-7 months is a sweet spot – the risk of SIDS reduces and a baby hasn’t yet formed an emotional attachment to it.
Many babies go on to have pacifiers for years, and as long as your baby isn’t sucking on a pacifier all day and night, the risks of speech issues or misaligned teeth are minimal.
Make moderation your motto
If a pacifier helps you and your baby, don’t hesitate to use it. There will be plenty of times you both need that extra nipple! However, strive for moderation. Limiting the pacifier to sleep and fussy moments will make the habit easier to break long-term.
