Soothers and pacifiers come in a wide range of shapes, materials, colours, and designs. When you are first introducing a soother or you are looking to replace an old one, you certainly have a lot of choice! It is perfectly normal to have to try a few different ones to find the one your child likes best.
But how do you know which one to start with?
With so many on the market, it can be hard to know where to begin.
To help make the decision a little easier, we have put together the key things you will need to consider when trying to find the ideal soother. Whether it is a newborn dummy or something for your toddler...
How To Choose The Right Soother - Newborn Dummy And Beyond
Size And Shape
The size of pacifier or soother is an important safety consideration. Soothers come in sizes to fit babies of all ages. They begin at a newborn dummy and then increase in size as your baby grows older. It is important to buy the right variety for your baby’s age. Too big and they will not be able to manipulate it or it will feel uncomfortable in their mouth.
However, at the other extreme, a soother that is too small is a choking hazard. It could possibly make its way past their lips and into their mouth. The general recommendation is to not use a pacifier with a shield/guard smaller than 1.5 inches (3.8cm).
Also, remember to change soothers as your baby gets older so that they are always using the appropriate size for their age.
Soother nipples are usually one of two shapes - the “orthodontic” nipple that has the round top and flat bottom, or the classic round nipple. Either shape is safe to use, so it is just a matter of figuring out which one your child prefers to use. The rounded shape is often more popular with young babies (under 6 months) who are breastfeeding.
Types Of Soothers
Multi-piece - The traditional pacifier design and the most commonly used is the multi-piece pacifier. This is the classic soother style with the nipple, guard, and the ring made as separate parts and then joined together. Because you need to reply on a connection point it is a good idea to check the nipples on multi-piece soothers. If you pull on it and it comes off, chances are your child will be able to pull it off and create a choking hazard.
Single piece - Single piece soothers are a more modern design. They are made out of a single piece of latex, plastic, or silicone. These are considered safer than a traditional soother as there is no risk of it coming apart and creating a choking hazard.
Plush soothers - Another new and increasingly popular soother is a plush or binky soother. These have a plush toy or soft binky attached to the ring, so it doubles as a security/comfort item. The great thing is that you can turn any regular soother into a plush one using Gobstopperz!
Materials
Latex - A typically soft material and has more flexibility than silicone. Babies tend to like a latex soother due to the softness, but they also tend to wear out faster. Some children will also have allergies to latex.
Silicone - This is the most common material for soothers. They are less prone to odours than latex soothers and are easy to clean (most silicone soothers can go through the dishwasher).
Rubber - Natural rubber is becoming an increasingly popular choice for soothers. It provides a natural alternative to the synthetic latex and silicone pacifiers and is known to be strong, lightweight and hygienic.
Looking for the ideal soother for your little one? Gobstopperz has natural rubber and medical grade silicone soothers in a variety or sizes and colours. You are sure to find something perfect for your little one from our versatile cuddly and soother range.
Check out the range in store now.