How to choose a baby's dummy

Long before the upcoming birth, many pregnant women are trying to buy the baby everything they need, or rather everything that he may theoretically need. This is especially true of the pervorodok - they buy almost everything that lies on the shelves of children's goods "just in case." On the one hand, this behavior can be called justified, because after giving birth a woman will not have time and opportunity to go shopping. But on the other hand, most of the purchased accessories remain unnecessary and unused. After all, if mom successfully adjusted breastfeeding, she would not need a huge number of bottles.

Likewise with the nipple - mummies in the euphoria buy a lot of different dummies, but in the end the baby refuses them altogether and spits out the nipple with great pleasure.To find a certain balance, you do not need to buy a lot of different dummies. You need to choose the one that will be safe and comfortable, the one that will surely be needed by your crumbs. But first, let's try to figure out why a dummy is needed at all and whether it is necessary.

Does the child need a dummy

This issue concerns many generations of moms. Indeed, in some cases, the nipple is not recommended, and in other situations its use is simply necessary. In order to understand whether your baby needs a nipple, we will try to understand its pros and cons. Let's start with the shortcomings of this children's affiliation.

1. Breastfeeding consultants say that the nipple has a different structure than the physiological mother nipple. The kid learns to suck on the nipple and wears off on the form of my mother's nipple. Because of this, the capture of the baby can change, it does not receive the proper amount of milk. Therefore, it is better not to give a pacifier to newborn babies, especially if breastfeeding is in its infancy.
2. Long sucking a pacifier can change the bite of the child.
3. Babies who suck nipples before the age of 2-3 will start talking less well and later.
4. For many children who are accustomed to constantly sucking the nipple, the abandonment of this habit becomes a real psychological trauma.

These are the main factors that can adversely affect the health and emotional state of the baby. However, sometimes the pacifier should still be used.

1. Nipple is a must for babies who are bottle-fed. The baby must satisfy his sucking reflex.
2. The nipple is needed in emergency situations - when the baby is naughty on the road, at the doctor's office, at a party, or when changing clothes.
3. A dummy is a great alternative to thumb sucking, at least it's more hygienic.
4. Some babies quickly fall asleep with a pacifier in their mouths, why not seize this moment?

Each parent independently decides whether to use a pacifier or not. In any case, if you decide to soothe the baby with a pacifier, do not do this until the crumbs are one month old. The first thing you need to do is breastfeed. Otherwise, the baby will simply give up the breast in favor of a rubber dummy.

How to choose a pacifier shape

When choosing a mother's dummy, the first thing they ask is: what form should a pacifier be bought in order to be familiar to the baby? Here are some forms of pacifiers on the current market for children's products.

1. Classic. These are ordinary elongated nipples that look like classic pacifiers, popular in Soviet times. For some, the classic remains relevant, and mothers offer babies exactly this form of pacifiers. Among the advantages of this nipple - it does not need to be given in a certain position, the baby can twist the nipple in the mouth and will not feel the difference. However, these nipples can not be used for very long - they become the cause of the wrong bite.
2. Anatomical nipples are by far the most popular. They are flattened on one side. In the mouth, this nipple is more than comfortable, because it resembles the mother nipple as much as possible. Many anatomical nipples have different sizes - according to the age of the crumbs.
3. Orthodontic nipples are a variety of shapes that your child might like. The most popular nipple is the shape of a cherry - this nipple has a long base and a spherical shape at the end. Cherry is suitable for children with a sufficiently wide and deep sky.Orthodontic nipples can be in the shape of a butterfly heart.

In addition, there are soothers with a protective disk, which are designed so that the baby does not swallow the nipple.

It is difficult to predict what shape the baby will like. This can only be understood by trial and error. One thing is for sure - that nipple, to which the baby will get used to one day, will be his favorite. And he is unlikely to get used to another form. Therefore, it is better to choose those pacifiers that will not harm the bite in the future.

How to choose a pacifier in size

This selection criterion is the simplest, since in many instances the age for which this dummy is intended is written. Usually nipples are divided into 0-3, 3-6, 6-12 months. If the baby is large, you need to take this into account and buy a pacifier a size larger than its real age. For premature and small babies - on the contrary, the nipple should be smaller. Some manufacturers are not guided by age, but by the weight of the crumbs, so that the nipple is more convenient to choose. The fact is that children are different and can weigh in three months from 4 to 9 kg or more. In this case, of course, it is better to focus on the weight of the crumbs.

How to choose a pacifier for the material

Separately, I would like to say about the materials from which the soother is made. Any children's product should be from high-quality and safe materials, especially if it is a nipple, which is constantly at the crumbs in the mouth. Here are some popular materials for pacifiers.

1. Latex. It is safe and soft enough material. Latex nipples are very flexible and pliable, so they are great for lightweight and newborn babies. However, the latex is rather fragile, soothers from such material need to be changed every month. After prolonged use, the soother can be deformed. It is impossible to boil latex nipples - the material is afraid of high temperatures. Sometimes (quite rarely, but still) children are allergic to latex nipples, because they contain protein molecules.
2. Silicone. Nipples from this material more rigid. Silicone soothers can be boiled, they are completely hypoallergenic and do not cause any reaction. Unlike latex (yellowish) nipples, silicone has a transparent structure. Due to the fact that the silicone nipple is sufficiently resilient, it is easier to gnaw.Therefore, this pacifier should not be given to a baby who already has teeth. Yes, and for scratching the gums this nipple is not very suitable, it is better to choose a latex or rubber equivalent.
3. Rubber. To date, rubber nipples are used very rarely, it is an outdated material that can be allergenic for crumbs. But if a baby has teeth, a rubber dummy and a rubber teether are better than others that can help the baby to get rid of itching and discomfort.

When choosing a pacifier for a child, it is very important to give preference to proven manufacturers who make safe and comfortable baby products. Popular brands include Avent, Chicco, Pigeon, Nuk Genios, Bibi, Baby Land and others. The price range of these brands is quite wide, you can pick up what you can afford. Many models have small vents for ventilation, which are needed to prevent the skin around the lips from breaking. In any case, the nipple should be of high quality and properly selected - a lot depends on it.

How to choose a pacifier and how to care for her

Here are some tips and advice that will help you choose a pacifier, and also properly care for her afterwards.

1. Choose nipples with a wide base so that the baby does not accidentally swallow it whole.
2. Choose models with large holes that will protect your baby's skin from diaper rash. At the base of the nipples should be a cutout for the spout, so that the sucking process was comfortable.
3. The nipple should not be sorted out or opened - choose solid structures so that the crumb could not open or tear off small parts that can choke.
4. Regularly change the nipple to a new one, even if yours looks quite bearable. Latex pacifier needs to be changed every month, at least. But silicone and rubber pacifier can be changed every three months.
5. The pacifier needs to be sterilized every day. It is better to take a spare soother for a walk in order to replace the fallen one if necessary.
6. In no case do not lick the nipple and do not give it to the child after that. A person’s mouth contains a huge amount of harmful bacteria that you can share with your baby. It is better to wash the nipple with boiled water.
7. Do not leave a dummy in the sun or near a heating battery - it may be deformed.
8. Choosing a nipple, you should pay attention to the shape of your nipple. If it is large and elongated, the nipple-cherry will do; if sunken, give preference to the anatomical nipple.
9. Before using any nipples for the first time, wash them thoroughly with soap and boiling water.
10. Keep the teat in a special container to protect the object from dust and dirt. Use a special children's chain, which is attached to the clothes of the baby. Even if the baby spits out the pacifier, the chain will keep the object from falling to the floor.
11. Each time carefully inspect the nipple - cracks and damage can be dangerous, since microbes accumulate inside.

These simple rules for choosing a dummy and caring for it will help you to use this item without any doubt or anxiety.

In using the nipple is very important to catch the moment when you need to wean the child from the habit. Do it gradually - distract with games, remove the pacifier from the field of view. In no case do not scold the baby, if he sucks the nipple, do not be ashamed of him and, especially, do not slap. After all, it was you who taught the crumb! Also, do not smear the nipple with something burning or bitter - this can result in both psychological trauma and physical (burn of the esophagus, etc.). Explain to the baby that sucking teeth can become crooked. If the baby does not give up the habit, you can use this technique.Every day, cut a piece from the nipples, starting from the very edge. Talk to the baby that the nipple was bitten by fish (dogs, cockroaches - anyone). The baby will gradually get used to the fact that the nipple is faulty, because sucking her more awkward each time. So he quickly and painlessly give up the habit.

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