When to replace your baby’s pacifier

If you have a baby who has a pacifier and who likes to use it, it is more than likely that you have a good collection at home. This is so because pacifiers if a pacifier is not used frequently, they are likely to get lost … nobody knows how but they get lost a lot! It seems that the goblins arrive at night to take them away.

Babies drop their pacifiers and get lost, but they also get dirty and washed over and over again. Pacifiers are generally safe for your baby, and when used at night, they help prevent SIDS. However, a poorly used or worn pacifier presents a risk of suffocation and is also dangerous for the health of children.

In this sense, it is necessary to be aware that pacifiers must be replaced as soon as you notice that there are any signs of wear. Do you know when to change and replace the baby’s pacifier? Next we are going to tell you when you should be more attentive and thus replace them and above all, provide your baby with those that do not cause suffocation risks.

APPROPRIATE AGE

Pacifiers come in two main sizes, depending on the age of your baby. After your baby is 6 months old, replace all pacifiers with ones sized for babies 6 months and older. Although this will also depend on the growth of your baby, because if your little one has a size more than the percentile limit, it will not be necessary to change the pacifier and less if your baby likes it.

On the other hand, if you see that the pacifier is becoming too small compared to the growth of your baby, you will have to look for a pacifier that has a softer nipple in addition to something larger.

It is important that the nipples are easy to wash and that they have a protector so that they can be stored without the need for it to get dirty with dust or other bacteria. Remember that if you use a pacifier that is too small for your baby’s mouth, he could choke on it.

IT STARTS TO WEAR OUT

You will have to monitor the pacifiers for wear. Replace a pacifier if you notice that it begins to discolor, if it has tears or holes. Check the pacifier for weak spots, especially around the base of the nipple. A weak spot can cause the nipple to break in your baby’s mouth.

Check pacifier nipples after washing, and discard any pacifiers with a sticky nipple after cleaning. Whenever you clean it, it should feel soft and ready to use.

WHAT TO KEEP IN MIND

How often you need to replace pacifiers depends on how often your baby uses them. If you only give your baby a pacifier at night to help prevent SIDS, the pacifiers should last longer than if you give your baby a pacifier during the day. 

Also, having your baby suck on the pacifier instead of just holding it in his mouth will make a difference in the duration of the pacifier.

It is also important to store your baby’s favorite pacifier and have several of the same model in case you lose one. If you have a baby who is especially fond of one type of pacifier then do not hesitate to have more even if they are of a different color, but thus, you can have several for emergency moments.

Have a clean pacifier on hand for when your baby drops one on the floor, gets dirty, and you have nothing to clean it properly. Although it is better to carry a pacifier holder and put it on your baby’s clothes so that in this way, it does not fall to the ground.

For a baby under 6 months, clean the pacifier with boiling water or run it through the dishwasher. When the child is over 6 months old, rinsing the pacifier with soap and water is fine.