How to choose the best pacifier for a newborn – Some useful tips

If you have had or will soon have a baby, at some point you will wonder how to choose the best pacifier. You will want an excellent product, but you will end up with a wide choice available. What do the experts say?

In this article, we will share some tips to learn how to choose the best pacifier for the newborn and to keep you updated and give your children the best for their health. Read on!

Pacifier: yes or no?

Before choosing the best pacifier for your newborn, you may be wondering whether to buy one. Like everything related to the world of babies, there are many arguments for and against.

The use of the pacifier is very common in many cultures, as it is a comforting object for the newborn. However, there are differing opinions regarding the form, material, and even duration of administration.

• In general, the strong point of the pacifier is the relaxing effect it offers to the little one. Today, some argue that it may even reduce the risk of sudden infant death syndrome.
   
• On the other hand, negative opinions focus on the possibility that this habit of sucking not for nutritional purposes is harmful to breastfeeding. In addition, it is associated with dental malformations, acute otitis media and an increased risk of accidents.

General recommendations

Despite these differences, however, there is consensus on three recommendations regarding the use of the pacifier:

• Do not give the pacifier to the newborn until after the first fifteen days of life.
• Progressively reduce its administration starting from 8 months.
• Eliminate it completely at the end of the first year
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Other aspects to consider before giving the pacifier to the newborn

• It is best to wait until breast milk production has stabilized before offering the pacifier to the baby.
• Make sure it is always clean to reduce the risk of infections.
• Whenever possible, replace the pacifier with alternatives that help calm the baby down.
• Do not give the pacifier to your child all day. Offer him a rattle or let him play with his hands before using it.
• The child needs to explore with his hands and mouth. If his mouth is always busy sucking, he loses this opportunity.
• Some babies retain the urge to suckle for several years. In this case, you will need to be patient before they give up this habit.

How to choose the best pacifier for your baby?

When choosing a pacifier, you should take into account some factors, such as age, if you experience discomfort with breastfeeding, etc.
Below we will give you some general indications regarding the shape and material. However, don't forget to be specific about your children's needs when asking for advice.

1. The shape

To choose the best pacifier, we need to think about the ease with which it is possible to clean it thoroughly. It is therefore necessary to pay attention to the shape, which must not have holes or spaces that could allow the humidity to stagnate and favor the appearance of mold.

It is equally important that the pacifier is one piece; that is, it should not have a handle that could break, as it would pose a great risk to the newborn. On the FirstCry online store, you will be able to find pacifiers of all kinds for your baby. Don’t forget to apply the relevant Firstcry coupons to grab the best deals.

2. The material

The most suitable material for the newborn's pacifier is medical soft silicone free of Bisphenol A. This substance, known in its abbreviated nomenclature with the acronym BPA, is associated with various diseases, such as hormonal alterations and cancer.

We must consider that the material will come into contact with a hot and humid temperature. These factors favor the dispersion of this compound and other toxic components. For this reason, pacifiers with BPA are not recommended.

As for the material, also in this case it is important to choose it thinking about its cleanliness. Unlike silicone, latex promotes greater proliferation of bacteria.

3. Pacifiers for every specific need of the baby

There are special pacifiers that facilitate breastfeeding. They mimic the shape of the nipple and even have a similar texture, which adapts to the pressure of the baby's sucking. These pacifiers prompt him to position his tongue as he would when feeding.

Pacifiers are specially designed for premature babies, even those born before the 30th week. They are lighter and smaller and mimic the shape of a newborn's thumb.

Finally, orthodontic pacifiers promote the correct development of the oral cavity. They have the shape indicated for proper growth of the teeth and mouth. Yet not all newborns like them, and if you change the position it is no longer effective.

When you have chosen the best pacifier for your children, keep in mind that it must also be to their liking. Sometimes it can happen that they are more attracted to an aspect that attracts their attention or that they do not like to keep a certain pacifier in their mouth. Be patient and follow these tips to ensure the best and total safety for your children.