Pacifier pointers

You--and your baby--may not know which pacifier she'll like until she tries it. You'll find silicone and latex, round tip and wide-tip angled (frequently called "orthodontic," although most pacifiers in the U.S. are orthodontically correct), and variations brand to brand. So buy several different ones in infant size and experiment. But stick with silicone because some babies can develop an allergy or sensitivity to latex. Check for product recalls before you shop by logging onto www.recalls.gov. When you find a pacifier that your baby likes, buy in quantity so you always have a clean one handy. To make sure you are using any pacifier safely, here are some pointers:

• Nix the necklace. Pacifiers sold with a ribbon, cord, string, yarn or similar attachment must be labeled with this warning: "Do Not Tie Pacifier Around Child's Neck as It Presents a Strangulation Danger." Take this warning seriously. Yes, I know that pacifiers have a tendency to gravitate to the floor or disappear when you need them most. Still, no matter how frustrated you get, resist the urge to have your baby wear his pacifier like a necklace. And we don't recommend using clip-on ribbons either. Each year, the CPSC receives reports of infants strangling on pacifier cords or ribbons tied around their necks. A baby can catch a pacifier cord on crib posts, doorknobs, and many other objects when you're not looking. It takes only a second for a serious pacifier acccident to occur. 

• Boil it, baby! Before you use a new pacifier, boil it for five minutes to remove any chemical residue. After that, wash your baby's pacifiers often with warm soapy water by hand or in the dishwasher and squeeze the bulb to remove excess water. Frequent washing is particularly important for pacifiers used by babies younger than 6 months, whose immune systems are especially immature. And what about the popular 10-second rule? Is it okay to not wash your baby's pacifier if it has fallen on the ground and you pick it up within 10 seconds? No, says Lisa Steed, Ph.D., head of the diagnostic microbiology lab at the Medical University of South Carolina in Charleston. "I have no problem with the 10-second rule if we're talking about M&Ms or another hard-surfaced edible substance, but not something soft and likely to pick up and retain microorganisms like a piece of sticky candy," or, for that matter, a squishy pacifier.

• Verify ventilation. Pacifiers are required to have at least two ventilation holes in the shield to admit air in the highly unlikely event that a baby sucks her pacifier into her mouth, but check just to be sure those ventilation holes are there.

• Know when to toss it. Over time, pacifiers can crack and tear. They can also become grainy instead of smooth. Check them carefully and often, and if you discover these problems, throw them away. Some manufacturers recommend replacing them every four weeks.

For more information, check out features to consider and how pacifiers can help prevent SIDS. And when you're ready to retire the pacifier for good, be sure and read banning the binky for helpful tips.