The birth of a baby is an exciting and wonderful event. But in order for the new man to continue to develop correctly and safely, considerable efforts must be made.
Young parents are often prone to panic, because they do not want to make a mistake, and so many advisers gather around. Therefore, most issues should be considered in advance in order to know how to act in the right situation. One of the most talked about is the nipple. Should I use it, if so, what kind of preference should be given, what are they? We will try to answer these questions in the article.
general information
If you think about the things that we associate with babies, then the nipple will occupy a leading position. This is almost an integral attribute of the baby in the minds of many people. Nevertheless, it is not at all a decoration or a fun detail.
What does a pacifier mean for a baby? This is a breast replacement. It provides sucking, but the baby does not receive either milk or such an important contact with the mother.
There is no single answer to the question of whether to use a dummy at all. Each mother who went through this period will respond to it exclusively from the perspective of her own experience. But what about parents who are barely faced with a similar task? The main thing - do not blindly rely on someone else's opinion. Each baby is individual, and the same methods cannot be applied to all.
You need to listen to different opinions, assess your situation, try different options, and then make a final decision.
Is it really necessary?
The nipple is a remedy that you should not always resort to. The baby is born with a developed sucking reflex. This is necessary in order for the breastfeeding process to proceed normally for both the baby and the mother.
Nature arranged everything in such a way that contact with her completely satisfied the sucking reflex. Milk from the breast is not released as actively as from a bottle, which makes the baby saturate longer. When the baby is full, his muscles relax and he falls asleep calmly.
This reflex is also important for the development of the correct bite, which occurs during sucking as a load on the jaw muscles.
Many experts still do not recommend combining natural breastfeeding with the use of nipples. While the baby is busy with it, he can really calm down, but the forces necessary for nutrition will be spent. An insufficiently active breast sucking not only prevents it from getting enough, it also poorly stimulates lactation. As a result, the baby may stop eating normally.
Nevertheless, in a situation where natural feeding is impossible, the development of the correct bite is impaired. Then the parents willingly have to find out what a nipple is. It not only satisfies the need for sucking, but also contributes to the formation of the correct bite.
Consequently, the baby still needs a baby's dummy, but on condition that he is on artificial feeding.
What are they made of?
Nipples may differ in the material from which they are made, as well as in shape. There are pacifiers made of latex and silicone.
The first material is of natural origin, softer and more flexible, able to heat up from human heat, which creates a more natural feeling.
The second is hypoallergenic, easy to clean, maintains its shape for a long time, does not absorb odors.
Dummy shape
There are several types of nipples that differ in shape.
Normal - standard dummy. In it, the nipple is made small and rounded. Such a product follows the shape of the breast as much as possible.
Anatomical - a dummy that can be recognized by an unusual nipple. It is made oblong and slightly flattened. This specific form makes it possible to reduce the pressure on the baby's sky. So he does not swallow air. This type of nipple has more dimensional variations. A baby's dummy is selected based on the height and weight of the baby.
Orthodontic - a product that has a characteristic beveled nipple. This specific form is not accidental. It allows you to achieve the effect closest to a real mother's nipple. To date, this type of dummy is the most popular. To give the orthodontic nipple is necessary with the beveled part down.
An important part
The nipple is a small product, and therefore it is important that the child can not swallow it. For this, a protective disk is provided in the design of the dummy. It should be wider than the baby’s mouth, thereby preventing the product from entering completely.
Do not give preference to models with a heavy disk, because as soon as the baby relaxes the jaw muscles a little, it will fall out. To ensure that saliva does not accumulate on the chin, this element of the pacifier should not fit too tightly to the skin.
How to choose
Another important question: how to choose a pacifier? Types, materials, design features, decorative elements - all this matters.
It is best to buy a dummy in a pharmacy. Also for such purposes, a children's store is suitable.
The baby should not lack oxygen while sucking. To do this, make sure that the dummy has a special ventilation hole.
The nipple should be changed regularly, because over time it wears out, and also does not fit the child's age. Then you need to choose the next model.
Caring for a baby requires a lot of strength, attention and great responsibility. Therefore, before you take any step, you should study in more detail the pros and cons in order to be fully equipped.