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.

Hints and tips booklet Booklet complied by facebook fans