There are many reasons why babies like pacifiers, and chief among them is that sucking comes naturally to infants. That sucking is comforting to babies, and pacifiers can help soothe fussiness. Your chief concern is to make sure that anything that goes into your baby's mouth is clean. Sterilizing and frequent washing of pacifiers significantly lessens the risk of your baby picking up harmful germs.
Method
Newly purchased pacifiers need sterilization before being given to a baby. Follow the manufacturer's instructions or use the boiling method. Allow a small pot of water to come to a boil and add the pacifier. Allow it to boil for five minutes, then remove it from the water and let it cool completely before use. Wash a pacifier well after every time your baby uses it. Some pacifiers are dishwasher safe, but if you aren't sure, wash them with hot water and dish soap.
Use
Pacifiers are most suitable for infants and babies under 1 year of age. Older babies may start to chew on pacifiers, which can damage them and increase the risk of contamination. Keep more than one clean pacifier on hand. If a pacifier is dropped on the ground, don't just wipe it off and offer it to your baby. After the initial sterilization, a pacifier doesn't need to be boiled as long as you keep it clean and away from contaminants. Pacifiers need replacing every two months, according to "Paediatrics & Child Health."
Selection
Use only one-piece pacifiers. Those that come in two pieces increase the risk of choking. Make sure that the hard shield that prevents a pacifier from being swallowed is larger than the mouth and equipped with holes that allow for air flow. The part of the pacifier that goes in your baby's mouth is made of silicone or latex, but the shield may contain BPA, which is a potentially harmful chemical found in many plastics. Try to find a BPA-free pacifier, but even if you aren't sure, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services notes that there is very little exposure to BPA from the shield part of a pacifier.
Warning
Sterilizing a pacifier isn't sufficient if it is damaged. Rips and cracks can harbor germs, and pieces may break off that can choke your baby. "Paediatrics & Child Health" notes that some medications can speed the breakdown of pacifiers, so don't offer one immediately after giving a baby medicine. Don't dip a pacifier in any kind of sweet substance to entice your baby as it can lead to tooth damage and increase the risk of germs.
