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How to Sterilize Pacifiers: An Easy, Natural Method

how to sterilize pacifiers
Foto: CC0 / Pixabay / kasiaczernik

Pacifiers can be a wonderful tool for soothing your baby, but they can also be germ magnets. Learn how to sterilize pacifiers in order to keep your baby happy and healthy.

Whether you’re a new or seasoned parent, you are probably constantly on the lookout for anything that could harm your children. Babies and toddlers are notorious for spitting their pacifiers on the ground, which exposes them to all sorts of germs. It can be overwhelming to figure out how to sterilize pacifiers, or how often they need to be cleaned, as it seems that everyone abides by different rules. We’ll share our best tips on when and why you should sterilize your baby’s binky.

How to Sterilize Pacifiers in 4 Simple Steps

Bring a pot of water to a rolling boil to sterilize pacifiers.
Bring a pot of water to a rolling boil to sterilize pacifiers.
(Foto: CC0 / Unsplash / Michal Balog)

After you’ve just purchased a new pacifier, you’ll need to sterilize it before the first use. Luckily, this process is incredibly simple, and doesn’t require too much time or effort. You’ll want to give it a quick clean first, with some homemade dish soap and warm water. After that, you can sterilize them. 

How to Sterilize a Binky:

  1. Bring a pot of water to a rolling boil on the stove. 
  2. Add the pacifier in, and continue to boil for 5 minutes. 
  3. Remove from the pot, and place on a clean dish towel to dry. 
  4. Let it dry out completely before storing. 

You can do bulk batches of pacifiers, or include new bottle tops when sterilizing on the stove. Just be sure to store them in a clean, airtight container afterwards. 

What to Keep in Mind

You should clean a binky every time it falls on the ground or another surface.
You should clean a binky every time it falls on the ground or another surface.
(Foto: CC0 / Pixabay / Mitrey)

Pacifiers often end up in all the places you don’t want them to be. Sometimes, your child will pick it up and pop it back in their mouth before you’ve had the chance to clean it. Don’t worry if this happens, just try to not let it become a habit. If your baby is under 6 months old, you should sterilize their pacifiers regularly. However, if your child is older than 6 months, simply give them a good wash with dish soap and warm water before giving it back. 

There are a few other things keep in mind when dealing with binkies.

  • Depending on the material, you should replace them every two months.
  • Always check it for tears or cracks before giving it to your child.
  • Avoid placing them in the dishwasher, as the cleaning agents may damage the materials.
  • If using natural rubber latex pacifiers, avoid letting them dry in direct sunlight. 

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