It’s important that parents have the information and tools necessary to keep their baby’s things clean and germ free. In this article, Pediatrician Dr. Natasha Burgert provides safety tips parents should follow when giving pacifiers to their baby.
1. When choosing a pacifier to soothe your baby, make sure it is BPA free, orthodontic and supports the natural palate development of your baby. Further, use a pacifier that is trusted by healthcare professionals; the Phillips Avent Soothie is distributed in hospitals around the USA.
2. To avoid having your baby bite through the nipple of the pacifier as he or she develops teeth, which could create a possible choking hazard, ensure you’re changing the pacifier after 4 weeks of use and using a pacifier that’s appropriate for your baby’s age. The Soothie is available for babies 0-3 months and 3+ months, while other Philips Avent pacifiers are designed for babies 0-6m, 6-18m and 18+ months.
3. You should sterilize a pacifier either in a Philips Avent 3-in-1 Sterilizer or in boiling water for 5 minutes. After sterilizing, allow the pacifier to cool for at least 5 minutes and squeeze any trapped/excess water out of the nipple. Check the product before each use and replace the pacifiers immediately in case of damage or weakness.
4. The use of abrasive cleaning agents and antibacterial cleaners may cause cracking or tearing in the pacifier nipple and could leave cleaner residue on the nipple that goes into your baby’s mouth, so you may still need to then sterilize the pacifier before giving it to baby. Instead, sterilizing pacifiers using a steam sterilizer or boiling water for 5 minutes is always recommended to avoid chemical use.
5. Check for cracks or broken areas on the pacifier. Apply stress to the nipple by pulling the pacifier in all directions. Look closely for cracks. Especially in clear silicone, broken areas are not always obvious.
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