How to choose a pacifier for your baby

Before buying a pacifier for a newborn or an older child, you need to decide on the material and type of product, as well as the flow rate and size of the nipple. In addition, you need to consider the manufacturer and the age of the child. We will tell you how to do this in our article.

The best baby nipple manufacturers

Unlike bottles, nipples need to be changed frequently (every 1–3 months). But this does not mean that you can save on their quality. Nipples purchased from an unscrupulous manufacturer may:

1. Leaky and poor adherence to the bottle;

2. Get cloudy and wear out quickly;

3. Smell bad;

4. Get out of shape quickly;

5. Irritate the skin and mucous membrane of the crumbs.

If poor quality materials are used in the manufacture of the teat, the product may be hazardous to the baby's health. Therefore, before going on sale, the teats must be tested for toxic-hygienic, organoleptic and sanitary-chemical indicators and receive certificates confirming their safety.

The best manufacturers of baby teats are:

1. Philips Avent;

2. Pigeon;

3. Medela;

4. Dr. Browns;

5. Bebe Confort;

6. Tommee Tippee;

7. NUK.

What are the nipples

Latex

Latex nipples can be used right from birth. Latex nipples resemble a baby's mother's breast. But they wear out quickly – they need to be changed every 2-4 weeks.

Advantages

• Affordable price;

• It is easy for a baby to get his own food, so latex nipples are recommended for newborns and premature babies.

disadvantages

• Limited term of use .;

• Latex nipples have a specific smell and taste, because of which the baby may refuse to eat;

• Under the influence of sunlight, latex becomes cloudy, and under the influence of high and low temperatures, it deforms;

• May cause an allergic reaction.

Silicone

Silicone nipples are strong and durable products. They can last about 3-6 months for you. But silicone is harder and tougher than latex, so the baby has to make an effort when sucking. Silicone nipples are well suited for babies who have a well-developed sucking reflex.

Advantages

• Silicone nipples are durable and durable;

• Promotes the development of the jaw;

• You can boil;

• They have no smell or taste;

• They do not cause allergies.

disadvantages

• Silicone nipples are very tight, so babies may refuse them;

• Not suitable for newborns and weak and / or premature babies.

Which nipple shape to choose

Baby pacifiers are:

1. Classic;

2. Orthodontic;

3. Anti-colic.

The classic designs follow the shape of the mother's nipple so that the baby sucks the nipple just like the mother's breast. But manufacturers have improved them by creating orthodontic products. Such models have a flattened and beveled shape, which has a positive effect on the formation of the baby's bite. Plus, orthodontic nipples are great for babies when transitioning from breastfeeding to formula feeding.

Anti-colic models have a valve that protects the teat from sticking, reduces the amount of air swallowed during sucking and ensures that the teat is constantly filled with liquid. Thanks to this, the baby is less likely to suffer from colic.

How much flow should the nipple have?

All nipple models have a specific flow force. It is determined by the number and size of holes in the product and the density of the food. The fewer holes, the slower food enters the baby's mouth. The flow force is selected according to the age of the baby:

1. Low flow teats are used from the first days of life until three months. They provide a slow flow of food because have one or two small holes. Such products do not allow the baby to wean from the mother's breast – he has to make the same efforts when sucking as with breastfeeding.

2. Medium flow teats are used for babies over 3-4 months old, but some models are also suitable for 2 month old babies. They have three holes. These nipples can be used to feed your baby with a liquid that is thicker than milk or formula.

3. In products with a strong flow, four holes are made. Typically, these nipples are designed for babies from 6 to 12 months, but some models can be used for babies three months old. A strong flow is also necessary to feed the baby with thick food such as porridge.

4. There are variable flow models. Instead of holes, cuts are made on them. Thanks to them, you can adjust the flow of liquid, making it slower or faster. Such products are suitable for food of different consistency (milk, porridge, juice). However, it is not recommended to use variable flow teats for babies in the first months of life. The milk supply can be too strong and abundant, which puts the baby at risk of choking.

How to choose a nipple size

To indicate the size of the nipple, manufacturers use several methods:

1. Monthly labeling. For example, 0 m + (for newborns), 2 m + (from two months), 6 m + (from 6 months), etc.

2. A scale of numbers from one to three, sometimes four. One means that the pacifier can be used for newborns or low birth weight babies, two – for children over six months, three – for one year old babies.

3. Marking by letter. The standard letters S (from birth to 6 months), M (6–12 months), L (from 12 months) are used.

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Attention! This material is the subjective opinion of the authors of the project and is not a purchase guide.