Hygiene is one of the most important issues in baby care. The mother responsible for infant cleansing strives to provide a sterile environment. In particular, keeping baby products clean during the day is a top priority for protecting your baby’s health. In particular, if the product is a pacifier that is constantly thrown or dropped into the ground at the baby’s mouth, disinfection becomes more important. So how do you clean your baby’s pacifier?
First Step: Selection of a Proper Soother
Because it is used orally by infants, it can pose a threat to the health of the baby when the pacifier is soiled. Mothers who want to minimize this risk can start by choosing the right pacifier. In this case, the following points must be observed.
– The pacifier should be suitable for the age of the baby and the anatomy of the mouth and should take into account the needs of the baby. Orthodontic nipples are preferred because they protect the baby’s taste.
– The nipple parts are made of rubber or silicone. However, mothers prefer silica gel tips which are less susceptible to contamination due to their durability and are comfortable to the surface due to their smoothness, non-stickiness and non-absorbency.
– The most popular baby pacifier models are round heads and orthodontic nipples. The orthodontic nipple is compatible with the baby’s mouth and does not impair the natural development of the tooth. It is easy for babies to use round nipples because they are similar in structure to the mother’s nipple. Mothers usually give their baby an orthodontic pacifier. If the baby is not taking it, the mother can buy a round pacifier that looks like the mother’s breast and then gives it to her baby. The baby will eventually make a choice.
– The selected pacifier has a bottom and it is important to have a vent in the nipple shield. Therefore, the back of the pacifier does not remain wet and the baby’s skin is not irritated.
Which Methods Can Be Used To Clean Soothers?
Proper cleaning of the pacifier and selection of a suitable pacifier are important for the health of the baby and the life of the pacifier. When using for the first time, the nipple must be cleaned by boiling in water for 5 minutes. The pacifier can be cleaned by boiling with water, either by conventional methods or by using a sterilizer. The nipple must be sterilized daily for the first 6 months. Having a pacifier is correct because continuous use of a pacifier can distort the product. It is useful to have 2 or 3 nipples instead of 1 nipple.
When the silicone pacifier is poured into the house, it is cleaned with hot water.
If it has fallen to the ground outside the home, if you are not likely to boil water, use soap and water and rinse with plenty of water.
After 6 months, it is recommended to boil for 5 minutes every 2 days to completely disinfect the pacifier. The boiling time should not be longer. It should be noted that the boiling process is a sterilization method used only for silicone soothers. The pacifier is sterilized with cold water and not boiled. After 6 months, this period becomes once every 2 days. Although the general life of the teat is between 2 and 3 months, the baby’s nipple, which often uses the teat, should be inspected by the mother and replaced if it is observed on the teat.