KTVN Channel 2 - Reno Tahoe News Weather, Video - Safety tips for your baby's pacifier

Safety tips for your baby's pacifier

Updated:
Silicone is the most durable material for pacifiers. Other materials can break down more rapidly with use and cleaning. Silicone is the most durable material for pacifiers. Other materials can break down more rapidly with use and cleaning.
  • Wendy Damonte's Health Watch Reports

  •     
  • Monday, May 21 2012 3:14 PM EDT2012-05-21 19:14:30 GMT
    From the University of Nevada School of Medicine: University of Nevada School of Medicine physicians have teamed up with local doctors to offer low-cost sports participation physicals for high school
    UNR School of Medicine physicians along with local doctors will offer low-cost sports physicals for high school athletes Tuesday.
  • Monday, May 21 2012 3:09 PM EDT2012-05-21 19:09:49 GMT
    Wendy Damonte Channel 2 News 21-year-old Sylvisha Perry has type-2 diabetes and all the health problems that come with it. "This is considered a high blood pressure." Doctors diagnosed her when she
    The number of U.S. teenagers developing type-2 diabetes is rising sharply. That, according to a new study in the journal Pediatrics.
  • Thursday, May 17 2012 7:23 PM EDT2012-05-17 23:23:56 GMT
    Wendy Damonte Channel 2 News The Pearson family was established 2006 when Keith and Amy sealed their love with a Genoa wedding. Their song, You Are My Sunshine, was how they saw each other. By 2009
    Esophageal cancer is the fastest growing cancer diagnosis in the country. As one family found out, symptoms often times don't show up until it's too late.
  • Wednesday, May 16 2012 7:37 PM EDT2012-05-16 23:37:01 GMT
    Wendy Damonte Channel 2 News Cooling off in a swimming pool is one of spring and summer's great joys. But sometimes, running around at the pool creates severe injuries. 13-year-old Joey Rubin found that
    Swimming season is upon us. While most of the safety precautions center around the risk of drowning, other pool injuries put people at serious risk, too.
  • Tuesday, May 15 2012 8:38 PM EDT2012-05-16 00:38:10 GMT
    Wendy Damonte Channel 2 News 22 month old Morgan Sherrill has a chipped tooth. Jackie Sherrill is her mom. "She reached for me and fell forward and hit her face on the ottoman in front of the couch
    Practically all young children use bottles, sippy cups or pacifiers, but they may not be as safe as parents think. And kids are ending up in the ER.
  • Friday, May 11 2012 7:20 PM EDT2012-05-11 23:20:44 GMT
    Wendy Damonte Channel 2 News Research shows the drug Truvada can prevent the spread of HIV in high risk people. A recent three year study found the pill cut the risk of infection over 90 percent in
    An FDA panel is recommending the agency approve the first drug to prevent HIV in healthy people.
  • Thursday, May 10 2012 7:38 PM EDT2012-05-10 23:38:22 GMT
    Wendy Damonte Channel 2 News Sandra Borras' life is about to change. She hoping after a 45 minute procedure she will finally be able to get a full night sleep and work in her yard. "I like to do yard
    Acid reflux can do serious damage, from causing ulcers to cancer. So getting it under control is critical. 
  • Wednesday, May 9 2012 7:35 PM EDT2012-05-09 23:35:10 GMT
    Wendy Damonte Channel 2 News If you want to help people battling cancer, this Mother's Day is the day to do it. Moms on the Run is this Sunday. Online registration closes today. After that, you can
    A fun run is taking place this Sunday. And it's not just fun but it also helps local cancer victims.
  • Tuesday, May 8 2012 7:08 PM EDT2012-05-08 23:08:46 GMT
    Wendy Damonte Channel 2 News In a dark room is a bright spot in the battle against breast cancer. Sono Cine is now available at the Renown Breast Health Center. And it's helping women who have dense
    If you have dense breasts, you're at greater risk for breast cancer. Now Renown is offering a new screening option in conjunction with a mammogram.  

The pacifier is possibly the smallest item you will need for your newborn. And in the world of mega-travel systems and digital video monitors, it is arguably the least expensive "necessity" you will buy for your baby. What most expectant and new parents relegate to impulse purchase is something that merits more consideration, and demands more research. After all, a baby's pacifier is one of two or three infant products that is actually designed to go in your baby's mouth.

Pacifiers help babies learn how to soothe themselves, can aid in the development of a calmer infant and can provide vital non-nutritive sucking without interfering with breastfeeding.

There are some important tips to keep in mind when selecting a baby's pacifier or bringing one home that was provided for your newborn in the hospital.

Pacifier selection and safety tips:

* Look for "one piece" construction. This reduces the risk of the pacifier pieces separating from use or age which could pose a choking hazard. In addition, this construction makes it easier to keep clean. Multiple piece pacifiers have nooks and crannies where dirt, germs and lint can get trapped, making it difficult to completely clean or disinfect the pacifier.

* Opt for silicone. Silicone is the most durable material for pacifiers. Other materials can break down more rapidly with use and cleaning.

* Never alter the shape of the pacifier. Even though pacifiers are typically available in "newborn" (small) and the larger "infant" sizes to accommodate babies at different ages and stages, some popular varieties have large face shields that cover much of the infants lower face. If the pacifier is too large for your baby's face or interferes with the nose, do not trim, cut or alter the pacifier in any way. Instead, select a contoured pacifier that hugs your infant's face.

* Inspect your pacifiers frequently. Look for dishwasher safe models and clean them frequently. Check your pacifiers after each cleaning to ensure they are sound and replace immediately if you see tears or cracks.

* Select a pacifier with a handle designed to attach pacifier clips. Many new parents mistakenly believe the ventilation holes on the sides of pacifiers are there in order to attach pacifier clips. This is not only incorrect, it is a safety hazard. The holes are there for safety. They are designed to keep your baby from suffocating in the unlikely event a pacifier is aspirated. Look for pacifiers that have a handle specifically designed to hold a pacifier clip or attacher. If your pacifier doesn't have a handle, make sure to remove the clip from the ventilation holes before putting the pacifier into baby's mouth.

* If breastfeeding, wait to introduce the pacifier until your baby is 1 month old. By this age your baby will have developed good latching on and feeding technique, helping ensure the pacifier is used for non-nutritive sucking/soothing versus replacing meals.

* Rely on a pacifier brand hospitals trust. There are as many different pacifiers, sold at virtually every kind of store imaginable, as there are different parenting theories. Determining which one to use can be difficult at best. Hospitals rely on top quality pacifiers that were developed by medical professionals to not only meet safety standards, but also to meet very specific infant needs. Relying on their recommendations can help ensure you are providing your infant with the pacifier that has met the hospital's stringent guidelines for safety and durability.

Provided by GumDrop pacifiers.

*DISCLAIMER*: The information contained in or provided through this site section is intended for general consumer understanding and education only and is not intended to be and is not a substitute for professional advice. Use of this site section and any information contained on or provided through this site section is at your own risk and any information contained on or provided through this site section is provided on an "as is" basis without any representations or warranties.
Powered by WorldNow
All content © Copyright 2000 - 2012 WorldNow and Sarkes Tarzian, Inc. All Rights Reserved. For more information on this site, please read our Privacy Policy and Terms of Service. EEO Report Forms: A, C, H. Organizations can request to be notified of all KTVN job openings. Please click here.