The pacifier can be called a real lifesaver for those parents who have troubled children grow up. Some peanuts only suck a dummy a little, then calm down and fall asleep. But if with the help of the nipples it is not possible to calm the baby, you can consult a doctor to find out the reasons for his anxiety. In any case, it is very important to choose the right pacifier for the little one.
How to choose a pacifier so that it fits the baby, we learn from this article.
We select correctly
Many young mothers try to buy the most expensive and fashionable things for their beloved baby, while not paying attention to their shape, giving preference to the external attractiveness of the product. They just forget that the crumb is not interested in the brand or the original design. Ease of use is important to him. Baby nipples are distinguished by the shape and material of which they are made. The most convenient nipple for the baby will be one that is similar in shape to the maternal nipple.
There may be cases when the nipple refuses the nipple if it is large and uncomfortable for him. Therefore, when choosing a dummy in a store or pharmacy, you should pay attention to whether the product is suitable in shape to the anatomical structure of the oral cavity of the newborn. Not only the role and shape of the pacifier is important, but also the material from which it will be made. And what will be the reaction of the baby, it is almost impossible to predict. Someone will not like very soft rubber, someone more dense silicone.
Does the baby need a nipple at all?
Many mothers have a logical question: why does their baby need a dummy and do they need to teach a little toddler to it? This is usually of interest to women who have heard stories many times about how difficult it is to wean a baby from a nipple over time. Nevertheless, the baby has a definite need for this thing.
The sucking reflex is innate. While still in the womb, the baby often sucks his finger. So he calms down and feels completely safe. That is why the newborn in the first seconds of his life eagerly grabs his mother’s chest, trying to calm down after the stress just experienced, which is for him to give birth.
Little "sedative"
Quite often it happens that the tiny creature must be quickly reassured. The dummy will be a great helper.
Which pacifier to choose for a newborn, so that it is as comfortable as possible, can be solved by the method of samples. Based on the foregoing, it can be argued that the nipple for the crumbs will be a kind of "sedative" and will help mom in a huge number of situations.
That's why mom needs to spend efforts to try to accustom the toddler to the nipple, so that he always takes it. But after the pacifiers are chosen, the babies gradually get used to them and open their mouths as soon as they see them. Sometimes they may even require pacifiers, crying loudly. As soon as mom gives the baby a pacifier, he instantly calms down.
Distinguish by form
How to choose a pacifier so that it likes the little one? The round nipple (or as it is called - “classic”) has the shape of a breast nipple, which will make bottle feeding the same as natural. Orthodontic nipples help the lower jaw and palate develop properly, prevent air ingestion while the baby sucks.
Nipples with anti-vacuum system reduce the amount of air swallowed by the baby, resulting in a decrease in the frequency of regurgitation. And the valve in such a nipple does not allow it to stick together, which allows the peanut not to come off the bottle with the mixture. Such nipples for bottles will be very convenient for the baby.
How many holes are there in them?
Nipples can be distinguished by the number of holes in them. If up to 2-3 months the baby will need nipples with one or two holes, then babies aged 2-5 months will already need three holes. Those pacifiers in which there are four holes will create a fast flow of liquid food. They are suitable for children over the age of four months. The shape of the hole can be X-shaped (suitable for juice), U-shaped (suitable for liquid cereal) and others.
Instructions for choosing a dummy. Material
Mom should pay close attention to the material from which the nipple is made. It is recommended to stop the choice on soft and elastic latex and 100% medical silicone. Latex soothers are usually matte or light beige, with a characteristic taste and smell. The only negative is that they are short-lived, and in the sun they can darken and deform.
Round latex nipple, as a rule, is quite comfortable for babies. Products made from silicone are usually more durable. They have no smell or taste. Exposure to sunlight is not afraid of them. Which nipple to choose - silicone or latex - will be decided by each mom individually, focusing on her baby.
It is impossible not to pay attention to the rubber nipples, which were so popular with babies born under the Soviet Union. Of course, now there are other, more interesting options (mentioned above). Such products are convenient in their own way, so it is quite possible to pay attention to them at a time when the question on how to choose a pacifier for feeding a baby is on the agenda.
Unfortunately, rubber is an obsolete material that can cause allergies in the baby. But on the other hand, when his teeth are cut, it is a rubber dummy in tandem with a rubber teether that is better than other modern ones to help the peanut remove the itching and discomfort that torments him.
Instructions for choosing a dummy. The size
The size of the pacifier should correspond to the age of the little one. If the nipple is too small, then the baby may have problems with a bite. If large, then the baby will hardly hold it in her mouth. Nipples for bottles - those that were originally designed to feed the baby from the bottle can be distinguished by the intensity of the stream. The numbers are marked on them, having the following notation: 1 - slow jet, 2 - medium intensity, 3 - fast. It is recommended to change the nipples every one to two months.
Instructions for choosing a dummy. The form
The shape of the product is also very important for the baby. Several types have been created: round, anatomical and symmetric orthodontic forms of soothers. The round nipple will exactly follow the shape of the breast nipple during feeding. Orthodontic nipples will encourage the crumb's lower jaw to move back and forth while sucking, which contributes to its proper development.
The shape of the anatomical nipple is similar to the structure of the gums, it will have less effect on their structure. Before buying a dummy, mother needs to make sure that the baby's nipples have vents in the base and the nipple ring is firmly attached to its base. Such dummies are quite convenient to use.
Care and Selection Tips
So, how to choose a pacifier for a baby? First you need to study what forms of pacifiers exist, which, according to experts, are better, which material is the safest, and which design should be preferred. Now mom can determine what to purchase for her baby. Nipples are better to buy in pharmacies or specialty stores. After all, there you can find documentation confirming the quality of the purchased goods. Definitely, preference should be given to trusted manufacturers (you should not save on child health) - Canpol babies, Avent, Chicco, TIGEX. It is necessary to constantly ensure that the size of the dummy used by the baby corresponds to its age. It is desirable that the nipple has a monolithic design.
Essential hygiene
Well, here is the necessary goods purchased. Now parents need to remember that before giving the baby a nipple, sterilization should be performed. This should not be forgotten while using the accessory, because gradually bacteria accumulate on it, which, when ingested, can be sources of the development of various diseases.
Note to parents: before using the dummy for the first time, it should be kept in boiling water for 3 minutes (but first, carefully read the instructions, because not all dummies can withstand high temperatures). Hygiene procedures should be carried out daily. Three methods can be used: boiling, sterilization, or washing under water using baby soap. If the nipple fell to the floor, you can’t lick it and give it to the baby - this is a direct way to get the infection into the baby’s body. Do not dip the dummy in honey or sugar, because these products can provoke diathesis.
Storage and use
How to choose a pacifier, we have already figured out. But how to store and use it correctly? Perhaps the best option for storing the nipples would be a sealed container. Thanks to him, the product is protected from germs. But the container must be washed periodically.
One and the same nipple can be offered to the peanut for no more than three months, because over time the material wears out, small cracks, and bites appear. The baby can accidentally bite off a piece of the nipple and swallow it. But even if no visible damage is observed, pediatricians do not recommend using the same dummy for a long time: the crumb is growing, and very soon this dummy will not be of its size.
Do not miss the moment!
So, the baby got used to the nipple, which was chosen with great diligence. And over time, it is important for parents to catch the moment when they begin to wean the baby from a bad habit. It is better to distract the baby with his favorite games, and periodically remove the pacifier itself from the visibility of the peanut. You can not scold a child if he sucks a pacifier. No need to shame and spank him, because adults themselves accustom him to a dummy.
Some parents smear a nipple bitter or burning. This is categorically not recommended, because in addition to psychological trauma, the baby can get physical, for example, a burn of the esophagus. We must explain to the peanut: if he sucks the dummy for a long time, his teeth can become crooked.
If the baby is difficult to abandon his habit, you can do this: daily cut off the nipples in a small piece, starting from the edge. You can say to a baby that his nipple was bitten by fish, mice, squirrels ... Over time, the baby will get used to the fact that his nipple is broken and every day it is more and more uncomfortable to suck it. Thus, he will be able to abandon his habit faster and less painfully.
Having figured out how to choose a pacifier for a toddler, it will now be clear to mothers and fathers what to pay attention to first of all. Indeed, sometimes, trying to keep up with a beautiful design, you can buy a thing unsuitable for the baby, which can negatively affect his health and even life. When the right option is chosen, mother can not worry about the adverse effects of the dummy on the formation of the bite or the capture of the nipple on the mother’s breast during feeding.
And still, one should not forget that even the best dummies will be present in the life of the little one for only a few months, because their goal is to satisfy his sucking reflex. Gradually, the reflex decreases, which occurs approximately when the baby reaches 7 months of age. Now we must gradually abandon the dummy.