How to sterilize nipples? Instructions and methods. Proper care of teats and pacifiers Handling the pacifier before first use
When we imagine a baby, our imagination usually comes up with such a cute chubby little one with a rattle in his hand and a pacifier in his mouth. For a long time, the pacifier has become an integral part of the image of a small child.
Some time ago, the World Health Organization recommended ditching pacifiers. After that, active discussions of their harm and benefit began. And more and more mothers and fathers who are preparing to become parents want to know the details before they buy this “device” for their crumbs.
Why not?
Problems with breastfeeding
The WHO recommendations are based on the belief that the use of pacifiers interferes with full breastfeeding. As it turned out, due to the habit or need to suck on a pacifier, a baby may have a poor weight gain, lactase deficiency may develop, the baby may cry and arch during breastfeeding, or even refuse it altogether. Physicians and scientists came to such conclusions on the basis of the conducted research.
Because of the usual pacifier, a mother may develop cracks and other injuries of the nipple, lactostasis and mastitis, and there may also be insufficient or excessive milk production.
It is known that a woman produces as much milk as a child sucks it out. If you give the baby a dummy instead of the breast, the necessary stimulation will not occur, and the next feeding the baby eats less than he needs. In other situations, the mother feeds every time the baby shows anxiety, but tears him off the breast after a certain time, giving the baby a pacifier so that he does not cry. This is fraught with the fact that the baby will not receive the most high-calorie, back milk. In both examples, the child will most likely find too little weight gain, and the mother will lose milk or, conversely, mastitis will begin due to stagnation of milk, which the baby is simply not allowed to suck out.
Advice
“If the baby starts crying, and you instinctively reach out not for the baby, but for the pacifier, throw it away!” (W. and M. Sears "Your child from birth to two years")
Well, and besides, the dummy used to "satisfy the sucking reflex" is often seen as an alternative to the breast. This gradually reduces the desire of the mother to continue breastfeeding.
A study conducted under the supervision of the American Academy of Pediatrics showed that when using a pacifier, the risk of premature termination of breastfeeding is one and a half times higher compared to children who were not offered nipples. Moreover, the earlier mothers began to give their children pacifiers, the earlier the number and duration of feedings began to decrease.
Child health and development
First of all, the connection between otitis media and a pacifier has long been proven: when using it, the risk of inflammation of the middle ear is 40% higher!
Due to prolonged sucking on a pacifier, a child may develop an abnormal bite, which will subsequently lead to speech therapy problems. Not a single child is immune from this, even if parents buy exclusively orthodontic nipples.
The use of a pacifier is also associated with a greater likelihood of cavities.
Not to mention the fact that a lot of bacteria get into the baby's mouth with the nipple, which can negatively affect the functioning of the gastrointestinal tract and even lead to serious diseases. This is likely even in those babies whose nipples are regularly sterilized, because it is almost impossible to avoid contact of the pacifier with various surfaces, including the crumbs' clothes.
We all know that babies have a strong sucking reflex. Its appearance is explained by the fact that in mother's milk there is a huge amount of a wide variety of substances that can help the child in any situation. Milk, in addition to satisfying hunger and thirst, helps the baby: sleep, calm down, grow, digest food. With the help of elements of breast milk in children, immunity is strengthened and the nervous system develops. Therefore, the nipple is not a full-fledged replacement for breastfeeding, and its abuse can slow down the development of the crumbs and lead to diseases.
Some authors talk about a decrease in cognitive abilities in children due to the use of a pacifier instead of a breast. A child sucking a pacifier seems to be immersed in himself, he loses interest in the world around him. But intellectual development occurs in the process of cognition of the world, which does not occur in this case.
It has been found that during breastfeeding, the baby's body produces the pleasure hormone endorphin. And when sucking on a pacifier, it does not stand out. The value of endorphin is great: it reduces the level of stress hormones. By about the age of three, the hormonal background of the child's body takes on its constant level and subsequently determines not only the development of certain physical and mental illnesses, but also the attitude to the world around and the way of interacting with other people.
Important
To protect yourself from possible problems with breastfeeding in the future, do not offer a nipple to a child in the first month of his life, when feeding is just getting better, and the child has not yet formed the right attitude towards him.
Mom and baby relationship
Moms who use pacifiers offer them with every dissatisfied squeak of the crumbs. At the same time, they do not try to understand their baby, they do not analyze his signs - after all, there is no need to do this, having a universal means of calming. Does this contribute to the development of mother's self-confidence and understanding of the needs of the baby?
The nipple can also interfere with the establishment of a strong mutual affection between the baby and the mother. When a child cries (from pain, fear, resentment) and finds solace by sucking on a pacifier, this object takes on the child's gratitude for the fact that the pain has passed, fear has disappeared or resentment has been forgotten. In this case, the mother no longer has such immense trust as she deserves. And in the worst case scenario, the person who gave the child life will become only a means to satisfy some physiological needs, primarily to satisfy hunger.
Smoking and addiction to alcohol are also, oddly enough, often the result of sucking on a pacifier. Offering a pacifier in response to any discomfort, mom gives the wrong message for the future: there is a universal remedy for relaxation and solving various problems. It will be difficult for such a person to understand the cause of his own discomfort and make the right decisions in difficult situations.
No benefits at all?
Studies have found an association between pacifier use and a low risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS). Among children who are offered a pacifier, SIDS is 90% less common than children who did not suck on a pacifier. This dependence was stronger when the child's sleep conditions were incorrect: when sleeping on the stomach or side, sleeping with a smoking mother, or on a soft bed. However, the researchers failed to understand the mechanism of this effect.
Sucking, not for the purpose of satiation, but for the sake of action itself, is associated with better growth and higher body resistance in premature babies. In this regard, the nipple can be an alternative if breastfeeding is not possible.
When a pacifier is needed
Therefore, first of all, one cannot do without a pacifier in nursing prematurely born children. In addition to the above positive aspects from its use, it is also important to develop a sucking reflex with the help of a pacifier and establish a logical relationship between sucking and feeding. In the latter case, this is achieved by the fact that when feeding the baby through a probe, he is given a nipple. With such unconditional pluses, there is also a negative impact: in the case of using a pacifier by premature babies, later they often have problems with breastfeeding and accustoming to "adult" food.
You can’t do without a pacifier with artificial feeding. When a mother is breastfeeding, the baby controls the way of sucking - active with milk or sluggish to satisfy the sucking reflex and just to calm down. With a bottle, such self-regulation is impossible, and a satiated “artist” must definitely be offered a nipple so that he does not overeat and swallow air, continuing to suck from the bottle.
Important
When a mother is at work but wishes to continue breastfeeding, using a pacifier in her presence is out of the question.
Sometimes there are situations when a pacifier becomes necessary during breastfeeding. First of all, this is with the forced long separation of the mother and the baby, who has not yet turned 6 months old. Or when caring for twins, when you need to distract one of the babies for a while, for example, from waiting for feeding. Some mothers prefer to feed strictly according to the regimen, and with this approach, the child will need a pacifier to calm down.
However, it is important to keep in mind that breastfeeding provides many health and developmental benefits for the baby. The advice of experts is unequivocal: it is preferable to do without the use of pacifiers. A choice should be made after weighing all the pros and cons.
Choosing a pacifier and caring for it
If you decide that a nipple is necessary for you, approach responsibly and to its choice. To reduce some of the negative effects of their use, orthodontic pacifiers, the shape of which is as close as possible to the nipple, will help.
Pacifiers are made from two materials: latex and silicone. Many of today's young parents grew up with latex nipples, but modern medicine favors silicone products. The fact is that latex itself is a strong allergen, in addition, it has a specific taste and smell alien to humans. And some progressive companies, such as AVENT, have already abandoned the use of this material. In addition, silicone has one huge advantage: the reproduction of bacteria on it is very slow. But in the end, the choice remains with the baby, who himself will determine which pacifier is more pleasant for him to suck on.
The shield of the correct pacifier is wide, with a cutout for the spout. A big plus is the presence of small holes in it, which protect the skin of the crumbs from irritation.
Before giving a new pacifier to your child, sanitize it. How to do this is written on the package. As a rule, nipples can be boiled, but not for long. And in general, you should keep them away from heat sources to prevent deformation.
It is necessary to change the pacifier as soon as you notice a crack, hole or other defect in it. But remember that they have a lifespan. For latex - no more than 3 weeks; for silicone - no more than 5 weeks.
Do not forget to regularly, at least once a day, wash the pacifier in warm water with baby soap. And never lick it - the microflora of your oral cavity can harm the baby. To make the nipple less dirty, hang it on a special chain with a clothespin, attaching it to your baby's clothes.
Weaning from the pacifier
Sooner or later, many parents face the question of how to wean a child from a pacifier. This process can be quite lengthy and can start as early as 6 months. Gradually offer the pacifier less and less often, trying to distract the child from his desire.
By about one and a half to two years, the sucking reflex fades, and by this age the baby should already wean from the pacifier. Later, its use is fraught with such troubles as deformation of the palate and teeth, which will certainly affect articulation.
If the love for the pacifier is so strong that the parents cannot rid the baby of it on their own, you can seek help from a child psychologist. He will determine the cause of such dependence and help to abandon the dummy with the least worries.
Sterilize nipples It is very important for newborn babies, because their immunity is still too weak and it cannot fight the microbes that surround us every day and are on various surfaces. The task of parents is to help the baby adapt to our world, and for this it is necessary to regularly and, most importantly, properly sterilize the nipples.
Features of nipples from different materials
Features of teats made of different materials need to be sterilized in different ways. Nipples are often divided into two types, they can be either rubber or plastic. Rubber ones are more convenient, since completely different methods can be used to sterilize them. As for plastic ones, the situation with them is more complicated, and in order to have an idea about the methods of their sterilization, it is first of all advisable to consult with the seller or a representative of the manufacturer.
Nipples can be made from several materials:
- latex;
- silicone.
The first type is ideal for newborns, all because they are distinguished by their softness and lack of rubber taste. Silicone nipples are more rigid, but they are ideal for those babies who have a tendency to allergies and who have already started teething.
Sterilization Methods
Methods for sterilizing pacifiers can vary. The simplest and most popular is disinfection by boiling. To do this, first of all, you need to take an enameled pan and draw water into it, then bring it to a boil, then lower the nipple into it and boil for several minutes. There is another, faster way, but this will require a double boiler. All you need to do is put the pacifier on one of the levels, then turn on the device for two minutes. When you take it out, it will be absolutely sterile.
In addition, microwave sterilization is one of the most popular teat sterilization methods. This method does not require much time and effort. However, before disinfecting, make sure that this action is allowed in the instructions.
There is another great method, for it you only need a kettle, which will need to be preheated, then bring the nipple to its spout and hold for about a minute. The main thing in this case is to follow the safety rules and not burn your hands, for this it is recommended to use medical or cosmetic tweezers.
There are also other less popular methods, these include:
- sterilization with special antiseptic tablets. The main advantages of this method are a high level of disinfection and ease of use;
- you can sterilize the nipple in the dishwasher. It must be remembered that this should be done correctly. First of all, for this it will be necessary to choose the appropriate mode, because if the water temperature is less than eighty degrees, then there can be no talk of any sterilization;
- after sterilization in the microwave, it is possible to process the nipples in a microwave sterilizer, however, among the main disadvantages of this method is the fact that after regular disinfection of the nipples in this way, they become sticky and unusable.
If you're determined to keep your baby germ-free, you can purchase a sterilizer that can sterilize pacifiers, pacifiers, and bottles. The peculiarity of this device is that disinfection in it occurs thanks to an ultraviolet lamp. However, this method also has its drawbacks. The thing is that this lamp has an additional bactericidal effect.
General recommendations are very important for a young mother who wants to protect her baby, but does not know how to do it. First of all, before using a new nipple, it must be prepared, for this it is recommended to wash it in soapy water and sterilize it. Many young mothers worry that boiling for two or three minutes does not give an effective result, but this is a delusion. During this period of time, the bacteria completely die, because they are not able to survive at this temperature even for a minute.
It is necessary to regularly change the nipples, if we are talking about latex, then the replacement must be done every two to three weeks. If you prefer silicone pacifiers, then it is advisable to change them after four to five weeks of use. The thing is that this material is more resistant to foreign substances and does not absorb them. If you find any damage to the nipple, then it should be replaced immediately, since such a pacifier may further harm the health of the baby. A damaged piece can come off and get into the baby's airways.
We have considered the main rules for nipple sterilization, however, everyone chooses a more convenient and suitable method for themselves, depending on their capabilities and how much free time you have.
Remember that in order for sterilization not to be carried out every half hour, it is necessary to protect this item of children's use from dirt and germs using a special chain to which the clip is attached.
The rules for caring for newborns are adamant: in the first months of life, the child must live in an environment close to sterile. So, for example, baby pacifiers should not be reused, licked by an adult, or given to a baby if it has fallen on the floor. They must be sterilized before use. And there are quite a few ways to do it.
Photo Shutterstock
The requirement to sterilize baby nipples is not unreasonable. After all, there are a lot of bacteria on the floor, sofas and other surfaces, many of which are pathogenic (and the quality of cleaning has nothing to do with it). The immunity of the baby is not yet ready to resist all these microbes. Therefore, it is worth helping the baby gradually adapt. So, it is worth actively sterilizing the nipples while the child is still in the crib.
How to sterilize nipples
The easiest way to sterilize, which is available to everyone, whether it be a man, a woman or grandparents. To sterilize a pacifier, fill a small saucepan with water and put it on fire. When it boils, dip the nipple into it and boil for a couple of minutes. Everything, the nipple is disinfected.
Do not be afraid that the nipple will not withstand such high temperatures. The pacifiers are made of materials that are specifically designed for sterilization and boiling.
You can save time by using a steamer to sterilize your pacifier. Pour water into the lower part, put the pacifier on one of the levels and turn on the device for 2-3 minutes. Under steam, the nipple will quickly become sterile.
Alternatively, teats can be treated in a special bottle sterilizer. In such devices, pacifiers are disinfected under an ultraviolet lamp. This method, on the one hand, is more convenient because you do not need to bother with water - pour, pour, dry the device. On the other hand, the ultraviolet lamp also has an additional bactericidal effect.
If you need a pacifier urgently or just don’t really want to suffer with all the designs for sterilization, you can simply turn on the kettle, wait until it boils, and hold the pacifier over the steam.
Experts say that this method is not 100% protection against germs. However, it is better to sterilize a pacifier this way than nothing at all.
There is another option to sterilize the nipples in the microwave. But only it is not suitable for every type of pacifier. Therefore, be sure to read the information on the package so as not to accidentally send something that is not intended for it into the microwave. Otherwise, you risk getting an extremely unexpected result.
What to consider when sterilizing nipples
For newborn babies, they usually buy new nipples (rather than using inherited ones). Usually they are either rubber or plastic. Remember that you can sterilize rubber in any way convenient for you. But with plastic it is more difficult. Not all methods can be applied to them. What kind of sterilization methods are suitable for such nipples, it is better to consult with sellers or representatives of the manufacturer.
Before the first use, be sure to prepare the pacifier. Preparation includes washing the nipples in a soapy solution, followed by sterilization in accordance with all the rules. And this cannot be delayed.
The main question that young mothers have is how long it takes, ideally, to boil the nipple and whether 2-3 minutes will not be enough. Experts assure that this time will be enough. Bacteria are not viable enough to last even a minute.
How many mothers think that this process - the sterilization of the nipples - will continue indefinitely. However, in reality, everything, including this, passes quite quickly. And even the warmest memories of these endless boils remain after.
There are several ways to sterilize bottles for newborns at home: boil, use kitchen appliances, steam or use a special sterilizing solution. Each of the options is good in its own way, so parents can choose the one that is most convenient. Before sterilization, it is necessary to free the feeding utensils from the remnants of formula milk or milk and wash thoroughly.
The traditional method of sterilization, used for several decades, is boiling. Any mother can use it, since all you need is a stove, a pot of a suitable volume and water:
- pour water into the pan and immerse the bottles in it so that they are completely covered with water;
- put the pot on the stove and bring the water to a boil;
- stand from the moment of boiling for 3-5 minutes and turn off the heat;
- remove the bottles from the pan and lay them out on a dry, clean towel;
- use sterilized dishes after they have cooled down.
Bottles made of low-quality plastic with rubber elements can deteriorate if they are boiled often and for a long time. Therefore, before loading into the pan, you must make sure that they are able to withstand heating up to 100 ° C. Well-known manufacturers usually indicate such information on the packaging or on the bottle itself. Boiling is not dangerous for glassware and bottles from NUK, Chicco, Avent, Canpol Babies, Tommee Tippee.
In the same way, nipples and pacifiers can be disinfected, only the processing time must be reduced to 2-3 minutes. Do not be afraid that rubber or silicone will not withstand boiling - modern materials from which these items are made easily undergo repeated treatment with boiling water and steam.
Special sterilizer
If there is a concern that the bottles may deteriorate or there is no desire to mess around with boiling water, you can purchase a special steam sterilizer powered by the mains. "Smart" technology facilitates the processing of dishes for the child, as the whole process takes place automatically:
- pour water into the sterilizer;
- put inside baby bottles, nipples for feeding, pacifiers;
- set the desired mode and turn on the device.
Sterilization lasts an average of 10-12 minutes - during this time, the dishes inside the device will be treated with hot steam, which will destroy all microorganisms. It is very convenient to use the sterilizer, since from 2 to 8 items can be processed at a time. If it is necessary to maintain the sterility of the dishes, after turning off the device, it can be left under the lid for several hours.
Steam treatment of dishes for a baby is more gentle than boiling. It can be carried out without special equipment: fix the bottles upside down over a saucepan or kettle with boiling water and hold for 10-15 minutes.
Steamer and multicooker
Sterilization in a steamer
The steamer is able to sterilize several bottles of standard or enlarged diameter at a time. Using it is quite simple:
- pour water into the appropriate compartment;
- place the bottles on the bottom section, putting them upside down;
- put nipples and pacifiers on the upper section;
- Set the sterilization time to 5-15 minutes.
Sterilization in a multicooker
Young parents who have a slow cooker in the kitchen can entrust the antiseptic treatment of children's dishes to this device:
- pour 1 liter of water into the washed bowl of the multicooker;
- put a grate for steam treatment inside the appliance;
- put washed bottles, caps and nipples sideways on it, and if the internal volume of the device allows, put the bottles upside down;
- close the lid of the multicooker and turn on the “sterilization” mode for 5-7 minutes or the “steaming” mode for 10-15 minutes.
After the slow cooker or steamer has finished its work, it remains to remove sterile items, put them in a clean container, plate or spread on a towel.
In addition to the fact that the bottles must be sterilized correctly, you should follow the rules of hygiene and take out clean dishes with washed hands.
Storage ideas: life hacks, tips, do-it-yourself gadgets
Microwave
Owners of microwave ovens can use kitchen units to sterilize children's dishes:
- take a clean glass or ceramic pot that is allowed to be used for microwave;
- pour water into it and immerse the whole bottles on which there are no metal parts and drawings applied with metallized paint;
- remove nipples from bottles and put in water;
- cover the pan with a lid and put in the microwave;
- set the maximum heating power.
Microwave ovens from different manufacturers differ in technical parameters. Therefore, for the first time, it is necessary to check how long it takes for the water to boil. Calculate the total duration of sterilization so that the bottles boil for 3-5 minutes.
Bottles can be sterilized in the microwave only if they are made of high-quality plastic and do not deform from exposure to high temperatures. These characteristics should be indicated in the instructions for children's dishes or on the packaging.
Processing children's dishes in the microwave is best done using a sterilizer - a special container with a lid. Water is poured into it, all items that require antiseptic treatment are inserted, then it is covered with a lid and placed in a microwave oven. The time of such processing depends on the power of the microwave and usually does not exceed 8-10 minutes. Such devices can be purchased from 1000-1200 rubles, however, after 8-12 months it is unlikely to be needed.
Sterilizer for microwave oven
Antiseptic tablets
At home, you can use special antiseptic tablets or powders, such as JEX. Their use will not cause any special problems:
- pour cold water into a container of a suitable size (bowl, pan);
- dissolve the disinfectant in water;
- put baby dishes, nipples, pacifiers into the solution;
- cover the container with a lid and soak for half an hour;
- after 30 minutes, remove all items and rinse with clean boiled water.
For all its seeming simplicity, this method of sterilization is not very popular with modern parents: some are afraid to use chemicals, others do not want to spend money on buying pills and powders. Such disinfection also has supporters: boiling water is not needed during the treatment, and the finished antiseptic solution retains its properties for 24 hours. Tablets are convenient to use outside the home when other methods of sterilization are not available, for example, when traveling.
Using any of the above methods, you can disinfect not only feeding bottles, but also all objects that fall into the baby's mouth: nipples, pacifiers, breast pumps, dental rings, teethers and rattles.
How to boil a pacifier? It is necessary to do this, because a lot of bacteria accumulate on baby bottles and nipples, which can provoke internal disorders. There are several options, how to sterilize a pacifier. Consider the simplest of them - boiling.
Do I need to boil a dummy, and how to do it right?
Before direct boiling, the pacifier must be thoroughly rinsed, blown through the hole and rinsed. The baby bottle should initially be completely disassembled and washed thoroughly under warm running water. Wash all these devices with an antibacterial or simple detergent, using special small brushes. Then put everything in an enameled container and fill it to the top with water. Wait for the water to boil. Then a reasonable question arises: how much to boil a pacifier. Answers - boil for about 15 - 20 minutes. When the specified time has passed, drain the water, holding the accessories with a lid. When they cool down, you can use them. Please note that the effect of sterilization lasts for half an hour, and therefore it is preferable to feed it during this period. It is recommended to use enameled containers, since they form the least amount of limescale, which subsequently settles on the stomach walls and other organs of the baby. If your kitchen arsenal does not have such utensils, then you can take an old saucepan, because with frequent use this plaque settles faster and is easy to notice. To get rid of plaque, use only filtered water, or install the filter directly on the faucet. This will protect not only your little one, but the whole family. By the way, there is a quick option for sterilizing pacifiers, you can simply pour boiling water over them, and then give them to your baby. It is not advisable to boil latex nipples, because under the influence of temperatures they can deform or fuse.How often should pacifiers and bottles be sterilized?
I think you understand how to boil a pacifier and a bottle, now you need to tell how often this process should be repeated. If you feed your baby only with artificial mixtures, then the bottle should be boiled before and after each feeding, this will provide the crumbs with maximum protection from harmful bacteria that disrupt the microflora and provoke infectious diseases, such as dysentery. Often, food remains are a favorable environment for the active reproduction of viruses and bacteria. If the bottle is not sterilized in time, then at the next meal all of them will fall into the child's body. Because of this, the crumbs can begin diarrhea, serious intestinal disorders, and so on. You need to sterilize the dishes for at least a year, or until the baby refuses the bottle. Over time, the child's body will begin to produce immune cells that will independently fight microbes that cause an imbalance in the internal microflora. 
