How to choose the nipple for baby

Buy a pacifier for the baby - the task is simple, because the range of pacifiers in children stores large and diverse. However, the nipple is better to buy from reputable and well-known European manufacturers in the European Union in the category of children's products have strict safety standards.

Pacifier should be selected according to the age of the child: as a rule, the nipples are available for children of three age categories - 0-3 months, 3-6 months, six months and older. The length of the nipple should not exceed 33 mm, so as not to arouse the child's gag reflex.

Pacifiers may have a circular, oval, and the so-called orthodontic shape closest to the female form of the nipple during feeding: at such a beveled tip of the nipple, and a thin curved neck.

Current teats are manufactured from silicone and latex. Latex - a natural material, warm and elastic, nipples from it most enjoyable for children. However, he has the ability to absorb and retain odors for a long time. Much better than the silicone feel on latex nipples and bacteria. This material is short-lived: in the regular boiling, he quickly destroyed, so once a month latex pacifiers should be changed.

Pacifiers made of silicone last longer: their replacement is done every six to eight weeks. They are more resistant to temperature. But silicone baby chew easier than latex, silicone nipples therefore not recommended for children who have already erupted teeth.

Traditional design dummy consists of three elements - a plastic ring, shield-base and nipples. All parts of the dummy must be securely fastened together. Some newer models entirely made of silicone or latex - are impossible to make out her nipples into separate small parts, so for the child they are safer. The width of the panel-base - at least 3 cm, so that the child could not accidentally ingested. Shield must be equipped with a cutout for the nose to ensure the child breathe freely and vents near the base of the nipple, the skin around the mouth of the child and not mokla her there would be no irritation and diaper rash.

The basic rules of safe use pacifiers:

• Always keep the nipples clean. For children from 0 to 6 months, sterilize them by boiling or steaming. For older children are allowed to wash the teats under hot running water or in the dishwasher;
• regularly inspect the nipples for signs of damage. If they are detected, replace the nipple immediately;
• wanting to soothe a crying baby, never immerse the pacifier in honey, sugar water or juice - this increases the risk of tooth decay More about caries - take care of your teeth until it's too late ;
• Try to limit the use of pacifiers, let it not systematically, but only when the child really needs it;
• Try to wean the baby from the nipple to the end of the first year of life. In any case, the child should be spared from a pacifier sucking habit before he will have permanent teeth (ie under 6 years).

Getting rid of the nipple

In due time to wean the baby from the nipple - is another important task for caring parents. Here are some tips:

• gradually reduces the time use pacifiers;
• Limit the use of pacifiers certain period of time: for example, before going to bed Dreams: how to understand our dreams   or during a child's illness;
• distract the child from his nipples other interesting activities, but in any case do not try to replace the pacifier candy, candy;
• Kids love to imitate older children, so often turned his attention to the fact that they do without pacifiers;
• try to persuade the child to give all their pacifiers someone of importance for him adults - grandparents, nurse or kindergarten teacher.

And do not forget often praise and encourage your child.

It should be noted that during the sensitive changes in the baby's life (moving, the birth of a younger brother or sister, the beginning of kindergarten, weaning from the diaper, and so on), parting with a pacifier should be postponed.

Rare baby costs up to a year without pacifiers. Some children only sleep with a pacifier, sucking, and others indulge in it all day. Not so this is useful, but it's good for soothing. Therefore pacifier should have, but it should be carefully chosen, to change periodically and be able to properly use.

Whether an infant pacifier

Despite the fact that many experts warn about the dangers of the nipple, experienced parents know that the nipple may become the first assistant in the care of the baby. But it is provided that the use it wisely. The main purpose of the nipple - to calm the child. Why did he calms down during suckling? The fact is that in the first 4-5 months of life, a child's most important and distinct reflex - sucking. And if he does not satisfy him, then it begins to worry.

Children who are breastfed can satisfy your sucking reflex, constantly putting his chest. And rightly so, in this case, the nipple may not be necessary, since the baby at the breast immediately calms down and falls asleep. But it is not always possible, as the mother can engage in some work, leave home, and so on. In such cases come to the aid of the nipple. But you need to use it as little as possible, as needed. During the first month of life (neonatal period) through breastfeeding is better not to use a pacifier, and calm the child by applying to his chest so he quickly learned to suck properly, grabbing the nipple with the areola.

For children who are bottle-fed, the nipple is some danger, as children quickly get used to it, because the suck-nothing more, artificial feeding is feeding from a bottle on the clock .  Therefore, parents should be careful and never for a long time not to leave the child's pacifier in her mouth .  You should not use a pacifier during walks to the kid is not inhaled cold air through the mouth - if the airways are free, and so he will breathe through the nose .  Just before the walk the nose should be carefully cleaned with a cotton wick soaked with vegetable oil (not chopsticks) .  Pacifier should be given only in cases when a child is angry and can not calm the other way .  Most can be given a pacifier in cases where the child is constantly swells tummy: during suckling allocated digestive juices that help digest food better, in which case you can give a pacifier after feeding .

And we must remember that the sucking reflex is reduced (some children very much) by the half-year. And if before the dummy used correctly, the easiest way to wean the baby from her at this age, then it will have much more complicated.

What danger can lurk in the pacifier

Against pacifier pediatric dentists strongly object: in its constant sucking formed malocclusion Malocclusion: fix is ​​never too late : Upper jaw begins to come forward, and between the first baby teeth Milk teeth - how they are formed?   may appear larger gap.

Pediatricians believe that the constant sucking pacifiers slows down the mental development of the child: he was busy with one thing (sucking nipples), so the other things (games, repetition of words, and so on), it is not so interested. Wean the child after a year from the nipples, to which he was accustomed to very difficult, it can be a real trauma for him.

Finally, the nipple at a certain stage of development of the child can be dangerous for him. Thus, teething Teething: hard times   it will begin to nibble a nipple, and if it is worn out or not very high quality, the Gnaw piece and choke them. The nipple may also be a source of infection if it is not processed in a timely manner.

How to choose the right nipple for baby

Pacifier should be chosen carefully. Today, well-known manufacturers of children's products (Cicco, Newbie, Avent and other) release nipples, which meet all modern requirements. They are made of a soft material (usually latex) are small or special flat form, allowing them to occupy a minimum of space in the baby's mouth (orthopedic nipples - flat on the side adjacent to the tongue, it causes less trauma to the gums). Tougher pacifiers are made of silicone, they are durable and reliable, but may cause deformation teething.

Different nipples and size, they are usually issued for three age groups: for children from birth to three months, from three months to six months and over half a year. When you purchase this nipple must be considered as too big pacifier harmful to the child. You need to pay attention on the safety circle around the nipple he should not close the spout baby. Most often, this is done in the form of a circle of a butterfly's wings, but it is not always convenient, so the nipple is often necessary to correct, so it is best to use a pacifier with a small round circles (but so that the child could not bury it entirely in the mouth).

Pacifiers should be cleaned regularly, sterilized (boiling or in a sterilizer), daily view to eliminate cracks and other damage (it is very dangerous for the baby, it can injure a sharp edge of a broken plastic mug or choke on a piece of torn rubber).

The child can not hang a pacifier around your neck (it can twist the ribbon in the neck, causing strangulation), best use for this special plastic chain is attached to the child's clothing.

Pacifier - a necessary thing, but they need to be able to use.

Galina Romanenko