Why does the new pacifier work less?
Have you just got new pacifiers home and think they look smaller than the old ones? There is often a completely natural explanation.
Many parents find that new pacifiers work less well than the previous ones. The explanation is usually simple: natural rubber grows when it is used.
Natural rubber is growing in use
Natural rubber (latex) is a 100% natural material with limited durability. Over time, it softens and the material expands. At Littledeluxe, we have seen examples of natural rubber pacifiers that have grown by over half a centimeter.
It is a big difference when you consider that, for example, FRIGG round natural rubber pacifiers in size 1 are 27 mm and size 2 are 30 mm long. Most children do not like differences in size or material and may reject new pacifiers that feel different.
How to avoid problems
We recommend that you always have several pacifiers in use at a time, so that you can easily detect when a pacifier shows signs of wear.
Replace when the teat shows signs of wear
The pacifier must be replaced when it shows signs of wear – both for safety and hygiene reasons:
- As the pacifier expands, it becomes more porous and can be more easily bitten into pieces. The surface also becomes sticky, which attracts dirt and makes it more difficult to clean. A good rule of thumb is to replace pacifiers after about six weeks of use.
- Use, cleaning and treatment affect durability. Fortunately, it is easy to see if the pacifier needs to be changed.
Read also: How to clean your child's pacifiers
The natural rubber pacifier is ready for replacement when it:
- Growing or expanding
- Changes color (from golden to darker brown)
- Gets stuck to the surface
- Gets cracks or teeth marks
Always grasp the teat part firmly and pull it in all directions. If you see cracks or teeth marks, the pacifier must be replaced.
Read also: Natural rubber vs. silicone
