Choosing a Pacifier that is Right for your Baby
Your baby will not be agreeable to just any pacifier. You'll receive many different kinds of baby pacifiers at your baby shower. The nurse in the maternity ward at the hospital will give you another kind of pacifier. When you visit Babies R Us you'll notice the pacifier aisle is as large as the bread section in the grocery store.
So, which pacifier is right for your baby? Do you choose Gerber NUK, Avent, MAM or one of the 50 other brands? What size? What shape? Silicone or Latex?
It's really not you that's going to be making the choice on what pacifier your baby uses. Your baby will tell you which pacifier he or she likes.
It's best to start out with an assortment of sterilized pacifiers and introduce them to your baby one at a time, over time. You'll be able to tell which type your baby takes to when they don't spit it out. Then, make the investment in buying a large quantity of that pacifier so you have them on hand and in every room and in the car and your purse and your diaper bag and in your stroller, etc.
Caring for your Baby’s Pacifier
Cool Baby Pacifiers from Kiditude
Your baby has to put this in their mouth! Yuk! Dirt and germs!
Even brand new pacifiers need to be sterilized. You can sterilize your baby's pacifier by boiling it in water on the stove for 5 minutes and letting it cool before giving it to baby. There are also microwave bags like the ones from Medela in which you can sterilize baby pacifiers and other items such as bottle nipples. Pacifiers can also be sterilized on the top rack of a dishwasher.
If your baby pacifier gets water in it, squeeze the nipple to remove the water. Water in the nipple of a pacifier is normal as pacifiers are made to take in air to help reduce the occurrence of tooth damage.
Like toothbrushes, your baby's pacifier is used in his or her mouth. If your baby uses pacifiers daily you should replace them often.