Types of pacifier for children

The nipple is a device of a certain form, acting as a substitute for the mother's breast. It contributes to the satisfaction of the sucking reflex and helps in feeding the baby. Perhaps such an analogue of the maternal breast is not the best option, but the nipples are still widely used by modern parents all over the world.

Types of nipples

Since the appearance of the nipple in the form in which we know it now, manufacturers have tried to make its form more natural. Modern dummies can fully simulate a female nipple. When they are made using different materials, they are given the right shape to make the sucking process more comfortable and safe. This allows parents to choose the right pacifier, optimal for their child.

First of all, all nipples are divided into pacifiers and those that are used for bottles. Modern substitutes for women's breasts are produced for children of different ages. They also differ in the material from which they are made, and in the form.

Depending on the material used in the manufacture, these types of nipples are distinguished, such as silicone and latex. Each of them has its advantages and disadvantages.

Depending on the form, the nipples are orthodontic and anatomical (physiological). The latter are produced in the form of a double-sided and round pacifier ("cherry"). In addition, each manufacturer, in order to attract a buyer, tries to give his definition of physiology, and therefore this group can be extended to infinity. On sale you can find night, soothing, moving nipples, baby pacifiers, performing the function of a thermometer, for the introduction of medications and for inhalation. To buy or not such modern adaptations? It depends on the parents' readiness for experiments and their financial solvency.

Which is better: silicone or latex?

Before you stop choosing on the nipple you like, you should carefully study the properties of the material from which it is made. But regardless of this, any dummy must meet the established safety standards, do not contain toxic and other hazardous substances.

If we take into account the material used in production, the following types of nipples for children are distinguished:

• Latex;
• Silicone.

Latex dummies have a light yellow color, are made of rubber, which is environmentally safe and natural raw materials. These nipples are difficult to tear, they are soft and supple. To their disadvantages can be attributed a specific, slightly unpleasant taste and smell, which may not like the baby. In addition, rubber pacifiers over time become less elastic and stick together inside, so they will have to be changed quite often.

Silicone nipples are made from artificial raw materials. They are transparent, have no unpleasant taste and smell, retain their properties for a long time. Such pacifiers can be boiled, which does not affect their appearance. But at the same time they are easily torn and bitten off by the kids, so they are more suitable for babies.

It is important that the chosen nipple was made of high-quality silicone and did not damage the baby's health.

Orthodontic and anatomical nipple

Few parents when choosing nipples from the first guess the preferences of their child. Often, you have to offer several options, until you can find a suitable pacifier that meets the requirements of the baby and consistent with the recommendations of specialists.

The opinion of dentists is unequivocal - it is better to choose a nipple of orthodontic form. It occupies the correct position in the baby's mouth and thereby prevents the formation of an incorrect bite, the appearance of a gap between the teeth.

However, this pacifier has a specific flattened shape, different from the female nipple. That's why often she does not like kids.

Pediatricians, although they agree with dentists, but still recommend buying dummies of anatomical shape. But different manufacturers see a female nipple in their own way. Therefore, they distinguish such types of nipples of a physiological shape as two-sided, occupying the right position in the mouth, teardrop and round ("cherry").

Criteria for choosing a baby's dummy

To facilitate the process for parents selection of nipples, the main criteria were prepared:

• A dummy must match the age of the child. Too soft nipples are not suitable for children who have already cut their teeth, because babies easily gnaw them.
• The base of the nipple must have holes so that saliva does not accumulate under it and the skin breathes, and the recess for the nose does not obstruct the breathing.
• It is better to give preference to the pacifiers of famous companies. They offer different types of baby nipples that meet all safety requirements.
• Latex dummies have a short lifespan. They are recommended to be changed every 4-6 weeks.
• Before giving the nipple to the baby, you should make sure that it is not damaged, has a smooth surface without irregularities.
• Any, even the most expensive pacifier before the start of use should be boiled for 2-3 minutes.

How to pick up a pacifier for a bottle

The choice of a nipple for a bottle is somewhat different from buying a dummy. They are similarly made of silicone or latex, mostly have a physiological shape that mimics the mother's breast, and are selected according to the age of the child.

Depending on the size, the following types of nipples for the bottle are distinguished:

• 0-6 months;
• 6-18 months;
• 18-36 months.

In addition, the nipples for the bottle have a different number of holes, one to three. Which is better to choose depends on what kind of food they are supposed to use. For milk or water, one hole in the nipple is suitable, and for the porridge there are two or three holes.

Modern manufacturers pay special attention to the health and safety of their small customers. Often kids, mainly at the age of up to three months, swallow the air during the feeding process, which causes intestinal colic. In order to prevent this unpleasant phenomenon, nipples with an anti-cobic effect are produced. And so that the baby can suck the bottle continuously and do not choke while eating, nipples are created with an air valve inside. The mechanism of its action is based on the fact that when the baby begins to suck, the valve opens, and when it stops, it closes.

Pacifier-dummy: harm or benefit?

The main positive thing about using a pacifier is that the baby calms down and satisfies the sucking reflex. But not all children need this, especially if the mother is nearby and can always offer breasts. Therefore, the benefit of a dummy is more obvious for parents who can stay in silence for a while and do their own business. But prolonged sucking can affect negatively the health of the baby.

Despite the fact that manufacturers offer a variety of types of pacifier, the damage from their use is obvious:

• When sucking a pacifier, the air is swallowed. As a consequence, the baby has intestinal colic.
• When the dummy is used for a long time, the baby is tired of sucking, and when the time comes for feeding, he refuses to take the breast.
• Pacifier dummies contribute to the formation of an incorrect bite in children and lead to deformation of the teeth.
• When using the nipple, it is difficult to achieve hygienic purity. Often, despite all the preventive measures, this is the source of vital activity of harmful microorganisms.
• Long-term sucking of a pacifier causes dependence on it and entails complications in further excommunication.

When to wean the child from the nipple?

Often parents have a question about when to give a pacifier and when to wean a child from her. In the first case, the answer is ambiguous. Suckling reflex in a child is most strongly developed at the age of up to three months. But you need to look at the child. If he is restless, tries to suck a diaper or nearby objects, it means that a dummy is needed. Some infants are so demanding that parents, having tried all existing types of nipples, can not find the suitable option. In this case, it is not worth insisting, but it is better to try to look for alternative ways of calming the child.

As for weaning from a pacifier - the best option is to gradually remove the dummy after six months. And then by the first birthday of the baby he will be able to do without it, while not having time to cause significant harm to his forming teeth. Otherwise, by a year and a half the child will have a stable dependence on the pacifier and the process of weaning will take a long time.