Pacifiers are the ultimate accessory for soothing baby, but they are also notorious for getting lost in the middle of the night and as a magnet for all things gross! Keeping pacifiers clean is crucial for your baby's health. In this blog, we provide a comprehensive guide on how to sanitize and sterilize pacifiers to maintain hygiene and keep baby healthy.
The Difference Between Sterilizing and Sanitizing Pacifiers
Babies are especially vulnerable to viruses, bacteria and other germs because their immune system takes time to develop and mature. This is magnified for babies who were born prematurely or have medical conditions. For this reason, it is important to prioritize hygienic practices in order to reduce the spread of disease. Bottles and pacifiers are two of the most obvious surfaces which require your attention.
When water supply was less reliable, sterilization was considered the gold standard for cleaning baby items. Today it is considered sufficient to sanitize items frequently. Often the words are used interchangeably but they do not represent the same process nor do they have the same outcome. The difference boils down to how effectively the process reduces the level of microorganisms on the surface of a product.
How to Sanitize Pacifiers Effectively
Sanitizing reduces microorganisms to a safe level and can be achieved by using hot water and soap. For most babies, daily sanitizing of pacifiers is enough to keep germs at bay.
Pacifiers can be sanitized by washing with hot water and soap, or placing in the dishwasher with a hot drying cycle. Keep your pacifiers safe with the Emulait Dishwasher Basket, designed to keep all your Emulait nipples and accessories in one place.
If you are handwashing, try the Emulait Bottle Cleaning Brush - you will find its narrow tip handy for giving the pacifier an extra good scrub. Rest your newly cleaned pacifiers on a cleantea towel to air dry and - with clean hands, give a gentle squeeze to the pacifier nipple to remove any water from inside the teat.
Not all dish soaps are equal - and there will be ingredients which you may prefer to avoid for baby’s pacifiers and bottles. Ingredients to avoid include fragrances, petroleum-based products, harsh surfactants such as SLS or SLES and numbered dyes. Avoid preservatives by choosing paraben-free products, and avoid products that contain methylisothiazolinone, methylchloroisothiazolinone and formaldehyde. You can read more about chemical safety on the Campaign for Safe Cosmetics or EPA website.
How to Sterilize Pacifiers Effectively
Sterilizing removes all microorganisms from an item through the application of heat. For healthy babies, you may want to do sterilize pacifiers every 3-4 weeks. If your baby was born early or has a compromised immune system, your doctor may recommend frequent sterilization as your cleaning go-to. Using the incorrect method of sterilization can damage the pacifier and its durability, so check the brand instructions. Pacifier teats are made from latex or silicone - latex tolerates heat up to 100°C / 212°F., and silicone can tolerate heat up to 110°C / 230°F.
Boiling method for sterilizing pacifiers: Place baby items in a pot of boiling water and keep them submerged for five minutes. Submerging them in boiling water is a gentle method for removing bacteria. It is not recommended to boil pacifiers regularly as it can damage the silicone, especially if left in boiling water for too long.
Microwave method for sterilizing pacifiers: Microwave strength is variable, so ensure that your device is on a suitable setting. The rule of thumb is no longer than 60 seconds at 800W maximum. Always place the pacifiers in water in a microwave sterilization box.
Using sterilization devices: Sleek microwave or electronic devices are available, but not all are suitable for sterilizing pacifiers. You should always follow the manufacturer’s instructions as they may vary between devices. The most suitable sterilizers are electric steam. You can find reliable steam sterilizers on the Baby Brezza website. UV sterilizers, like the handy and compact Munchkin mini sterilizer, are great for families on the go. Note that UV sterilizers are not recommended for latex pacifiers.
Sterilizing solutions, which are often harsh, can cause pacifier teats to degrade quicker over time.
Safety Tips for Sterilizing Pacifiers
- Clean your items before placing them in boiling water or in the steamer.
- Always be extra cautious when working with steam or boiling water.
- Always ensure pots or sterilizing devices are out of your child’s reach.
- Use a clean ladle or tongs to remove items from boiling water.
Hygiene and Care Tips for Pacifiers
- To avoid mold growth, air dry pacifiers on a clean kitchen towel and never store items while wet. If water seems to be trapped in the pacifier teat, pinch it out and let any remaining droplets air dry.
- Using a bottle brush can help with a thorough clean. To avoid cross-contamination, store your bottle brush in a dedicated area so that it doesn’t get soiled in the kitchen sink. The Emulait bottle brush has a suction top for upright storage.
- If your baby has been unwell, or anyone in the household for that matter, increase your cleaning frequency.
- If your baby has a weakened immune system or was born early, you will want to be extra careful about keeping pacifiers and other accessories clean - at least for the first three months.
- While cleaning, inspect your pacifier for signs of wear or damage - pacifiers should be replaced every 6-8 weeks.
- Repeated exposure to high temperatures can degrade the pacifier material. If you are keeping them clean regularly, it will be enough to do periodic sterilization.
How to Keep Pacifier Clean While On The Move
Apart from always packing a few pacifiers (one is never enough!), there are products available which will protect your little one’s pacifier from being dragged through the dirt. A pacifier clip helps keep your baby’s pacifier close and clean, and is a stylish accessory too - check out our Emulait Pacifier Clip! Fit-for-purpose pacifier pouches which attach to your stroller are an excellent option for keeping pacifiers close and easy to find - it saves you rummaging in the diaper bag or stroller basket. To clean a dirty pacifier, you can ask for a cup of boiling water and submerge it for a few minutes; or you can purchase handy microwave steam sterilizer bags or pacifier wipes which you can use on the go.
In Summary
Pacifiers are a valuable addition to any parent’s toolkit. For those who choose to use them, they aren’t quite a magic bullet but they certainly soothe and occupy an unsettled baby. The Emulait Pacifier has been designed to evoke the familiarity and softness of mom’s nipple, and we have extended our range to five adorable colors: Blu, Rose, Chestnut, Lilac, and Sage. While it isn’t rocket science, it is easy to forget when you last gave that pacifier a really good clean - so keep on top of it!