If you are expecting, you may be wondering how many pacifiers and pacifier clips you need in order to be prepared for your sweet new little one.
You need at least 2-3 pacifiers for your baby so that you can alternate them throughout the day and have a backup if one gets lost or dirty. Keep any extra pacifiers in your diaper bag, the car, or the nursery. You will also need at least 2 pacifier clips – one for your baby and one in the diaper bag for travel.
There are many things to consider when you begin to register for your first baby. Read on to learn about each of these different concerns and how they relate to you and your registry.
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How many pacifiers do I need?
A lot of parents will tell you that you only need two or three pacifiers. However, many other parents claim that you will need roughly a million. The truth is that how many pacifiers you need is an entirely subjective question. In my experience, babies begin to lose their pacifiers much more easily once they become mobile.
Further, if you are purchasing pacifiers before your baby is born, it is not a good idea to stock up on any one brand. Many babies have certain brands that they prefer over others and there is no way to tell which brand your baby will like and which ones he/she will spit right out.
From experience, I suggest having a few different pacifiers on hand with differently shaped nipples. This will give you a chance to figure out which pacifier your baby prefers. If you are lucky, you will have some pacifiers still sealed that you can return once your baby picks his/her favorite type of pacifier.
Once you know which type of pacifier your baby likes, you may want to make sure that you have two or three on hand at any given time. Pacifiers are pretty small and they are easily lost. It is also a good idea to keep a spare in the diaper bag in case your child drops their pacifier on the floor in a public place.
How many pacifiers to put on your registry?
Again, this is entirely up to you. Your baby is going to let you know really quickly which pacifier she prefers once she is born – or even if she likes it at all! There is no way to know which type of pacifier you should stock up on. Many parents suggest purchasing an array of different brand and styles of pacifiers. This way your child has options when she gets home.
You may also consider only placing one type of pacifier on the registry and seeing how it goes. If you are an organized parent who cannot stand excess clutter, then you may want to simply check out your babies’ preferences once she gets here. Or, consider registering for a gift card in order to buy pacifiers after your baby’s arrival.
Do you have to get bigger pacifiers?
Eventually, yes, you will likely need to purchase larger pacifiers as your baby grows.
However, there is no need to stock up on larger-sized pacifiers before your baby is here. As mentioned above, each baby is different. There is no guarantee that your baby will prefer whatever pacifier you have stocked and you will only need the larger sizes once your baby reaches the 6, 12, or 18-month marks so you will have plenty of time to react!
Finding the best pacifier for your baby
The best type of pacifier is the kind that your baby prefers.
However, there are some tips and tricks you can use to increase the chance your baby will like the pacifier you choose for him/her.
According to Care.com, you will want to be sure that whatever pacifier you choose has decent ventilation in the nipple. Some pediatric dentists claim that pacifiers without this ventilation can be harmful to a baby’s developing palate.
Overwhelmingly, most pediatricians agree that the design of “orthodontically” advertised pacifiers makes little to no difference for a baby. Still, if you feel more comfortable purchasing one of these pacifiers, simply check the pacifier’s packaging for the details around the design.
You also want to make sure that your pacifier is safe and made of mostly natural materials. Ensuring that your pacifier is made of a single piece of solid plastic can greatly reduce the risk of choking associated with pacifiers. Further, you want to make sure that the pacifier you choose is made from silicone (as far as the nipple goes) and does not contain any BPA.
What kind of pacifier design or shape do I need?
For breastfeeding babies, you will want to be sure to choose a pacifier that is flatter and made from thinner material than some pacifiers. The shape of a thinner and flatter pacifier mimics the very specific motions that a breastfeeding baby needs to practice to become a successful breastfeeder. It is important to consider this because many lactation professionals worry about so-called nipple confusion from using a pacifier. They also recommend that you wait until your baby is a month old before introducing the pacifier!
A baby who is bottle-fed is likely going to prefer a pacifier whose shape mimics the bottle that the baby prefers to drink out of. It can be hard to determine either of these things before a baby is born. The traditional ‘bottle-shaped nipple’ is pretty common for pacifiers and easy to find.
Orthodontic pacifiers
MAM perfect start pacifiers are considered an orthodontically designed pacifier.
They support the type of suction that must occur for a baby to successfully breastfeed. These pacifiers are designed with the comfort and safety of the newborn in mind. They are lightweight with a breathable exterior to protect your baby’s skin. Take a look at the design below to see what I mean.
Another great feature of this MAM pacifier is the case that allows you to sterilize the pacifiers right inside the microwave. Not every pacifier has this super convenient feature. In fact, having the ability to sterilize in the microwave makes this pacifier much more portable than some of the alternatives because they are available in many places. Plus, you get two of them and they are fairly priced!
Pacifiers attached to a stuffed animal
The WubbaNub pacifier is an extremely popular choice for many parents because of the decreased chance that you may lose this pacifier.
The WubbaNub features a Phillip’s Avent pacifier attached to a lightweight stuffed animal. Essentially, the pacifier can’t roll under a table or disappear in the car with a big stuffed animal on it. Once your baby gets a little older, they will also enjoy the stuffed animal aspect as well!
The Phillip’s Avent soothie pacifier is one single piece of BPA-free silicone that is extremely safe for your baby. However, this particular pacifier is only appropriate for the first six months of a baby’s life or until he/she begins to develop teeth. That said, after this time you will have to attempt to switch your little one to another pacifier.
Another major con of the WubbaNub pacifier is that sleeping with this pacifier is largely frowned upon. According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, infants are not safe when sleeping with a loose stuffed animal of any size. For this reason, the WubbaNub cannot be used during sleep, so it would need to be replaced with another (a regular Phillips Avent) pacifier during sleeping hours.
Pacifiers for nighttime
The Tommee Tippee brand has gained a lot of really great reputation in the last few years. This pacifier is made from silicone and is BPA-free. It is a slightly larger shape than the MAM pacifiers and is a good choice for babies who are bottle feeding as opposed to those who are breastfeeding.
The coolest thing about this pacifier, however, is that it GLOWS IN THE DARK!
This is a gamechanger for nighttime or even naptime pacifier use because you will never have to worry about a pacifier getting thrown out of the crib out into the abyss again!
How many pacifier clips do I need?
As a parent, the pacifier clip may quickly become one of your favorite baby inventions of all time. The pacifier clip is simply a clip that can be attached to your baby’s clothes to keep the pacifier from being lost while out and about. Many designs can also be hooked to car seats, strollers, or babywearing clothing!
You really only need one pacifier clip. However, there may be some instances where having a second pacifier clip may come in handy.
When your baby starts teething, for example, the pacifier clip may get dirty a little more quickly than it did before. You may also want to clip a second pacifier to your baby’s diaper bag in case of an emergency.
Where should pacifier clips be placed?
You can place a pacifier clip anywhere on your child’s clothing that does not get in their way. Many parents like to attach the clip to the baby’s pants when they are young. However, as they grow, you may need to attach the clip to the shoulder or arm of their shirt.
Your baby will learn to grab for the pacifier as he or she grows older. Be sure to clip the pacifier so your baby can access it easily if he or she wants the pacifier.
How long should pacifier clips be?
Pacifier clips are anywhere from 8 inches to 12 inches long. The longer the pacifier clip, the more options you will have for attaching the clip to different parts of the clothing. If you are planning to make your own pacifier clip, then you will want to make sure the clip is at least 8 inches long from end to end.
HOWEVER, you should always be sure that your clip is not long enough to go all the way around your baby’s neck – this could be a strangulation hazard. PAY ATTENTION TO THIS!
With that being said, use your best judgment in terms of where you will be using the pacifier clip.
What’s the best pacifier clip to use?
There are a lot of pacifier clips on the market. When the market is saturated, it can be a bit complicated to make a choice about which option is best for you and your family. Here is a great option that I’ve found to get good bang for your buck:
This pacifier clip is affordable and the braided design will allow the clip to last for a good long time. It features:
- A durable clip is a great option for your newborn.
- Doubles as a teething toy which is a great feature.
- Unisex design so that it can be passed down to future siblings no matter their gender.
- You get a 4-pack for a cheap price which means you won’t have to worry much about losing them!
