There are several benefits to getting a soother for your baby. Some of the top benefits include:

• A soother’s nipple-shaped design satisfies your baby’s natural sucking reflex, which helps them feel calmer and more secure.
• If your baby has colic (prolonged crying or fussiness), a soother can help them self-soothe and calm down.
• The use of a dummy at bedtime can help your baby settle and fall asleep with greater ease - it makes for a great sleep aid.
• If your baby is experiencing any discomfort (e.g. receiving a vaccine, feeling sick, or teething), dummies can provide comfort and help reduce pain perception.
• Similarly, if your baby is in an uncomfortable or unfamiliar situation, be it travel or a new environment, a soother can be a helpful distraction that helps them feel more regulated.

We sell a range of dummies and soothers here at Sleepytot, and this includes several that are suited to babies of 0 to 6 months of age. While different baby-focused products can be hazardous for them to use in the first six months (such as loose blankets in a crib), dummies are different.

As long as breastfeeding has been well-established in your little one’s routine, they can safely use a dummy. In general, breastfeeding is established by the time a newborn is a month old.

The only difference between a pacifier and a dummy is the word used. Both describe nipple-shaped items used to soothe and comfort babies during the day and as they go to sleep.

“Pacifier” is a common term in North America, particularly the US and Canada. “Dummy” is used here in New Zealand, Australia, and the UK. “Soother” is another word that describes the same product, and this term is also used in Canada (along with “pacifier”) and some parts of Europe.

Whenever you see any of these three terms used in relation to babies, they’re describing the same item.

To ensure you’re accounting for proper hygiene and protecting your baby from bad bacteria, it’s recommended that you replace your baby’s dummy every four to eight weeks, depending on use. Even if the dummy shows no signs of damage, it’s best to replace it every month or two.

If your baby uses the dummy frequently and latches on hard when sucking, you’ll usually have to replace the dummy on a more regular basis (every four weeks at minimum). 

The material used in the dummy also influences how frequent replacements will be necessary. Silicone-based dummies are more durable and can often last six to eight weeks before a replacement is needed. Latex/rubber pacifiers are softer and more prone to wear down faster. Replacing these at least every four weeks is a good idea.

If your baby is sick at any point while using a pacifier, it should be replaced immediately after they’ve recovered. 

Yes. Here are some of the ways soothers help with teething pain:

• When babies teethe, they typically develop an intense urge to bite or chew due to sore, irritated gums - sucking or chewing on a dummy can help alleviate this gum discomfort.
• For babies, sucking on a dummy has a soothing effect, which can help take their focus away from the discomfort they’re experiencing as they teethe.
• The discomfort of teething can make a baby irritable, and a dummy can provide a greater sense of security and comfort, which in turn can help reduce their irritability.
• In general, using a dummy can distract them from the pain of teething.
• If you have a dummy that can be chilled in the refrigerator before use, the cold surface of the dummy can help numb the gums and reduce inflammation, providing temporary relief from symptoms for your baby.

It’s important to regularly clean your baby’s pacifier, and daily cleaning is the most common practice.

When you first purchase a dummy for your newborn or teething baby, it should always be cleaned prior to the first use. The common means of doing so is to place the dummy into boiling water for five minutes. After it’s been immersed in the water, take it out and allow it to cool down completely and ensure no water is trapped inside before giving it to your baby.

For daily cleaning, the method changes slightly depending on the age of your little one. For babies under 6 months, you should follow the same practice of immersing the dummy in boiling water for five minutes, then giving it time to dry and cool off before giving it back to your baby.

If your baby is 6 months or older, you can wash the dummy in warm, soapy water. Then, rinse it thoroughly to remove any soap residue and let it dry out.

In the event the dummy falls on an unclean surface, you should clean it immediately. Sometimes simply rinsing it under warm, running water will be enough - especially if your baby is a bit older (6 months+) and has a more developed immune system. If your baby is a newborn, you should fully sterilise the dummy by immersing it in boiling water for five minutes and then let it dry and cool off.

When a clean dummy is not in use, it’s best to place it in a sterilised case to keep it free from dust and germs.

Yes, they are. As part of the range Sleepytot sells, this includes several that are made for babies at specific stages, such as 0-6 months (size 1) and 6-18 months (size 2). These two sizes cover the key months of a baby’s life where they will actively benefit from the use of a soother.

While babies can be given dummies beyond 18 months of age, it’s recommended that a young one’s use of a dummy be limited from 1 year old and completely discontinued by 2 years old. This is because continued use beyond these years could impact your child’s teeth alignment and dental health.