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Pacifier

Soothers for babies: a nuggi guide

Sucking is a basic need of your baby. It not only serves to absorb food, but also has a calming and relaxing effect. The right dummy can help to satisfy this basic need. But which pacifier is the right one for your baby? And what else should you consider?

The sensible use of the dummy

Children who are exclusivelybottle-fed or rarely breastfed are particularly dependent on the use of the soother. They usually get their fill from the bottle faster than breastfeeding children. As a result, they have a stronger need to satisfy their sucking instinct outside of mealtimes. This is where a dummy can help.

Breastfeeding babies also benefit from the use of a nipple. Especially when the baby can hardly suck non-nutritively at the breast because the mother always has a lot of milk. But a dummy can also be extremely helpful in situations where breastfeeding is not possible. However, do not start using the nipple until about a month after birth.

The use of the dummy should be done responsibly. Make sure that the pacifier is not used continuously and is only used to soothe your baby or to help him or her fall asleep.

As soon as the first teeth are coming in, it is advisable to use a teething ring. This calms the child and stimulates the gums so that the little teeth emerge more easily.

The shape of the dummy

The shape of the dummy can determine whether your child likes it or not. It is best to try out the different shapes.

The asymmetrical shape has a bulge at the top and a bottom surface that is slightly curved inwards. Make sure that the dummy has an asymmetrical shield. This way you can tell if your baby has the nuggi the right way round in his mouth. Otherwise, the development of the teeth could be disturbed.

The symmetrical shape, on the other hand, is slightly curved in both directions. This has the advantage that your child cannot put the dummy in the mouth the wrong way round.

For breastfeeding children, a soother similar to the mother's breast is recommended. Its shape is either symmetrical or flattened on the underside. The bar is relatively thin, which allows your baby to close its mouth as wide as possible and hardly affects the natural position of the jaw.

Soothers: latex or silicone?

Choosing the right material is a matter of taste. Here, too, it's a matter of trial and error: Try it out.

Latex is often chosen by parents who prefer a natural material. It is made of rubber milk and can be recognised by its brownish colour. Latex dummies are particularly tear-resistant and therefore ideally suited for little nugget-biters. However, they have their own taste, which not all babies like. Caution for allergy sufferers!

Silicone is particularly popular with babies as a dummy material. It is a little softer and creates a smoother surface for sucking. However, this also means that silicone dummies can be bitten through more quickly. Be sure to dispose of it if it is damaged.

At 4mybaby you will find a wide range of nuggies. Browse a little and sort the selection according to the age of your child.

What is the best way for parents to clean the dummy?

Before you give your child a dummy, it should always be washed or boiled first. You can also clean it using a special steam steriliser. If the pacifier only falls on the floor for a short time, rinsing it under hot water is sufficient.

When it's time to say goodbye to the dummy

Especially in the first months, the dummy or nuggi serves as a loyal companion for children, calming and soothing them. It is also a help when falling asleep. At some point, however, the need to suck wears off and it is time to say goodbye to the nuggi.

Up to kindergarten age, you can still give your child the nipple from time to time to put him or her to sleep or as an occasional comforter. After that, you should gradually wean your child off the dummy.