Tips – The do’s and don’ts of soothers

• Never start using a soother until breastfeeding is fully established. An exception to this is premature our sick babies in hospital they may use one for comfort.
• Never give your baby a pacifier instead of feeding.
• Always see if your baby is hungry, tired or bored before giving him the soother. Try solving these things first.
• Always use a clean sterilised soother for your baby. Do not attempt to “clean” the soother by sucking on it yourself; this may spread germs from you to your child.
• Always check for cracks or tears before giving a soother to your baby. Replace the soother every two months, before damage occurs. This is a recommendation from the NSAI (National Standards Authority of Ireland).
• Never dip the soother in sugar or honey. This will damage the teeth. Honey can lead to botulism, which is a type of food poisoning.
• Never tie a soother around a baby’s neck. This can cause strangulation and death. Instead, you can use clips with short ribbons attached to them. These are available where you buy pacifiers and are safe to use.