Pacifiers | Clips

A pacifier or dummy is a rubber, plastic, or silicone nipple substitute, which is given to babies to suckle on when they aren’t feeding to soothe and calm them.

They can be especially beneficial for the first six months of your baby’s life when they most naturally want to suckle, however as your little one gets older the risks become greater.

There are a number of risks associated with pacifier use, including the risk that your baby might become dependent on it. It is recommended that you start to wean your child off their pacifier by age three or earlier, so they don’t become too dependent.

Prolonged pacifier use can also increase the risk of middle ear infections and dental problems as your child gets older.

If you are breastfeeding, you might want to wait to use a pacifier until your baby is three to four weeks old and you’ve settled into a nursing routine, as a dummy may disrupt breastfeeding and make it more difficult.

Yes, newborn babies can sleep with pacifiers, it is recommended that babies use them at night and nap time to reduce the rise of SIDS.

The dummy will most likely fall out at some stage of the night, but this is normal, and you don’t necessarily have to put it back in, as the protective effect persists throughout their sleep.

A pacifier clip isn’t a requirement, though they can be extremely useful. A pacifier clip means that there is less of a risk of losing the dummy, and your baby will always have access to their pacifier when they want it.

Make sure that if you are going to get a pacifier clip, you get one that is made from non-toxic materials such as silicone or organic cotton, as it’s likely it will end up in your little one’s mouth at some point.

Your baby should never sleep with a pacifier clip, as they can be dangerous at night and there is a risk of choking or strangulation.

Make sure to remove the pacifier clip from the dummy before bedtime to eliminate any risks. It is normal for their dummy to fall out during the night.