How Often Should You Replace Your Baby’s Pacifier?
When your kids are little, a pacifier can be their best friend! Pacifiers offer comfort and security to help them calm down and relax when they are upset. A baby uses a sucking motion to help themselves self-soothe, and a pacifier helps with this action. But because pacifiers are used frequently, you will need to continuously check the integrity of the binky as they become worn out easily!
Should you give your baby a pacifier? No one answer will fit every family, as it is up to the parents to decide whether their baby needs one or not. Continue reading to learn if pacifiers are good for newborns and when to replace them.
Are Pacifiers Good for Newborns?
Using a pacifier is a personal choice for each parent, with some introducing them immediately and others never introducing them at all! There are pros and cons to having your baby use a pacifier, and one answer may not fit all babies and family dynamics.
A benefit of using a pacifier is that they offer your baby comfort when other techniques may be working. They can soothe them during stressful situations such as doctor’s appointments and flying. Pacifiers can also encourage your baby to go to sleep and stay asleep at night time. You may even notice that your baby isn’t quite as fussy until their next feeding!
With the amount of benefits they come with, there are downsides to using a pacifier. Some babies become overly reliant on a pacifier, and it could be hard to wean them off when the time comes. They can also increase the risk of developing ear infections, but this is usually after the age of six months. Another downside that is still considered by many parents is that prolonged use of a pacifier in toddlerhood can cause dental problems down the line.
At the end of the day, it is ultimately each parent’s responsibility to make a decision that is best for them and their baby!
When to Replace Your Baby’s Pacifier
Like anything else your baby uses, you will need to replace your baby’s pacifier every so often. The rule of thumb is that it should be replaced every 4-6 weeks, but there are circumstances where it should be replaced sooner. You will need to keep an eye on their pacifier to ensure that there are no changes to the shape or size of the pacifier, as well looking out for ruptures. Tears in the pacifier are more common once your little one starts growing teeth!
Dangerous changes in your baby’s pacifier can happen for a number of reasons. They are typically external reasons such as high temperatures, saliva, light, and heat. You may notice that the pacifier becomes discolored, swelling in size, or loss of stability in the pacifier. If you see any of these changes, it's time to chuck that binky in the trash!
Things to Consider While Using a Pacifier
As much as we wish this was the case, not every pacifier is created equal. Some are better quality and are designed to be safer for babies. When choosing a new binky for your little one, keep in mind some of these tips:
Choose a one-piece pacifier for your baby instead of a two-piece. This reduces the risk of the pieces coming apart and your baby choking.
Keep an eye out for pacifiers that use natural rubber and other baby-safe natural materials.
Steer clear of pacifiers that use harmful chemicals, such as bisphenol-A (BPA).
Regularly sterilize your baby’s pacifier by boiling their pacifier in water for ten minutes.
Be sure to clean the pacifier off if it becomes soiled (or if their big sibling gets a hold of it!).
When It’s Time to Wean Your Baby Off a Pacifier
Your baby has loved their pacifier for as long as you can remember. As much as they may still continue to love it and find comfort in it, they will reach an age where it may be time to begin weaning them off of it!
Most children decide they are done with a binky by themselves somewhere between the ages of 2 and 4, but others will need more assistance. Some signs that your child is ready to ditch the pacifier is if they are beginning to use it as a teether. You can tell that they are using it as a teether if they are constantly drooling or if you see the pacifier has holes in it once they are finished using it.
Just like any new skill, there are multiple techniques you can use when trying to teach your child to stop using the pacifier. Some of those methods are:
Throw it away and have them quit cold turkey. This option may come with tantrums!
Limit their pacifier use to specific times. I did this with my daughter by only letting her use it at naptime and bedtime.
Give your child other options to self-soothe, such as a blanket or stuffed animal.
Each parent and child dynamic is different, and you know your child best! Do whatever works for you and your baby to wean them off their pacifier.
Record Pacifier Changes with Baby Connect
Monitoring your baby’s health is the most important thing to you as a parent. With this being said, it can be difficult to remember certain information, such as the last time you switched out their much-loved binky! Making sure your baby has a new pacifier regularly will not only keep them healthy but safe because they can become easily worn out from so much use.
With the app Baby Connect, you can keep track of all the important milestones in your baby’s life. From bottle feedings to pacifier changes, Baby Connect keeps track of it all. The next time you find yourself wishing you had somewhere to document a milestone in your baby’s life, download Baby Connect to store all your important information!
