If Your Going to Give Your Baby a Pacifier Here Are Some Good Things to Know

If you were considering giving your baby a pacifier there are many things that are recommended and not recommended when it comes to your baby having a pacifier.

When you choose a pacifier there are several things to keep in mind. You will want to get a pacifier that is an orthodontic pacifier. Choose one that is labeled for the correct age group that your baby is in and has a soft nipple. Make sure that the pacifier is one piece to avoid choking hazards, two piece pacifiers have the potential of breaking apart, and is not made with the chemicals diisononyl phthalate or phthalate esters. It is helpful if the pacifier that you choose is dishwasher safe.

Once you have the pacifier that you chose you will want to boil it before you offer it to your baby. You will want to rinse the pacifier off with warm water with every use and if your baby drops it on the floor. By keeping the pacifier clean you will prevent any tooth decay that a dirty pacifier can create.

There are some concerns when you offer your baby a pacifier. Many breastfeeding challenges can occur when a baby is nursing and using a pacifier. Nipple confusion, decrease in milk supply and your baby not speaking up when they are hungry are all things that can occur if you introduce a pacifier to your baby. It is extremely recommended that if you feel you have to give your baby a pacifier that your nursing relationship is well established before you do. Ear aches are another thing that studies have shown to be more likely to occur when a baby uses a pacifier.