How does a parent choose a pacifier for their baby?

The appearance of the little man is filled with many and sometimes completely contradictory emotions. On one hand, moms and dads are extremely happy with the appearance of the new member in the family, and on the other hand, they are terrified of making a mistake in raising him. Therefore, before making a purchase of anything for your baby, look for detailed information about each baby product. And one of the most discussed and sought after baby items is the Pacifier.

Why do babies need a pacifier?

It is a well-known fact that babies like to suckle on something. The main reason why they do it is because this action has a calming effect on them. The pacifier is a way for babies to satisfy their impulse to suck, while calming them and allowing them to fall asleep peacefully and satisfied knowing fully well that they are in a safe and quiet place.

Factors influencing the choice of pacifiers

Size

Depending on the age of the baby, pacifiers vary in size. Each manufacturer has its own sizes and instructions for use, but in general, the sizes in which these children's items are offered are three:

• Small - Designed for babies up to six months
• Medium - Suitable for babies from six to 18 months
• Large - Designed for babies aged 18+ months

Choosing the right size is important, because an inappropriate size of pacifier for the wrong age group can have unpleasant consequences.

Material of the "nipple"

The "nipple" is the part of the pacifier that the baby sucks. That is why the material from which it is made is very important for its safety. As a standard, modern pacifiers are available with "nipples" made of either silicone or latex.

• Silicone

Silicone nipple pacifiers are preferred by parents and recommended by experts because this material is hypoallergenic, very strong, elastic and easy to clean. In addition, the silicone does not absorb odors and the pacifier can be washed in the dishwasher.

• Latex

Latex is softer and more elastic, but not very durable. Latex nipples absorb odors and cannot be washed in the dishwasher.

When buying a pacifier with a latex nipple, parents should be more careful, as many babies are allergic to this material.

"Nipple" shape

The main shapes of the pacifier nipple, which have become standard among manufacturers, are three: round, orthodontic and the "drop" type:

• Round

"Nipples" with a round shape are also called classic. Usually pacifiers with this shape are preferred for very young babies, as they promote the natural movements of the baby's tongue and mouth (it mimicks suckling from the mother's breast). An additional advantage of this shape is that it slightly expands at the base, which allows babies' lips not to fit snugly to the pacifier.

• Orthodontic

The shape of this type of pacifier is slightly beveled on one side. They are called orthodontic because when the pacifier is in the baby's mouth, his upper and lower jaw are in the correct position. In other words, the orthodontic shape of the nipple does not in any way interfere with the proper development and growth of the baby's jaw and teeth.

• "Drop" type

They are similar to orthodontics. They have the same bevel (curve) that fits the baby's palate and tongue.

Pacifier construction

The ways in which the pacifiers are made, as well as the elements they include, determine their type. Currently, this type of baby items are available in several main types (models):

• Classic

This type of pacifier is the most common and popular model. It consists of three parts:

• Silicone or latex nipple
• Fuse (shield) - this element is usually made of high quality plastic and can be in various shapes. Its main task is to prevent the baby from swallowing the pacifier and suffocating.
• Ring (handle) - the handle is also made of plastic and allows the parent to safely remove the pacifier from the child's mouth.
• One-component

This type of pacifiers are made of a single "piece" of material (silicone or latex), which eliminates the risks of disintegration of the item and, accordingly, the absorption of any of its elements by the baby.

• Classic in combination with a plush toy

This type of baby items are still quite new on the market, but are rapidly gaining popularity. What sets them apart from other types is that the manufacturers add a plush toy to the typical classic pacifier to make the pacifier more attractive to babies.

Color

The choice of color is a matter of personal prerogative of parents. Some people choose one-color pacifiers because they think they have a calming effect on the baby, while others prefer bright and colorful baby items. There are also a large number of parents who stop at the so-called "glowing" pacifiers, which really glow in pleasant green or blue colors in the dark.

How can baby stores meet the needs of parents?

If you have a store for baby and children's goods, then you know that you must be extremely well prepared to meet the requirements of parents. It is good to remember that pacifiers are mainly sought after by parents of very young babies and they are quite worried, especially if they have to make such a purchase for the first time.

They expect you to be able to offer them a very wide variety of pacifiers from popular brands and models, at decent prices and in sizes suitable for the baby's age. In order to meet the expectations of the parents, it is good to contact a trusted distributor who can offer you pacifiers from popular brands such as:

• Everyday baby

Pacifiers from this brand are suitable for everyday use. They are made of silicone and come in a wide variety of sizes and colors. Their quality is excellent, they are completely harmless to babies, and their prices are just so affordable.

• Zizito

The Swiss brand offers high quality pacifiers in different sizes at very reasonable prices. Zizito baby items will meet all the requirements of parents.

• Philips Avent

Philips Avent is a brand that you will definitely want to have in your store. The company offers some of the highest quality pacifiers and it is very popular with parents. The baby items offered by Philips Avent are silicone, orthodontic and support the natural development of the baby's palate. Apart from the fact that this brand is one of the most popular pacifier brands in the world, the prices at which they offer their products are extremely affordable.

Only for your information. The Philips Avent pacifier model - Soothie takes first place in the parents' rankings for 2019 and 2020.

• RaZ Baby

The brand is extremely popular especially among parents whose children experience irritation and itching when teething. One of the most popular and sought-after models of pacifiers of this brand is RaZ Berry.

• Nuk

The most difficult thing when choosing pacifiers from this brand is how parents can focus on only one type or color. Because Nuk pacifiers are not only extremely high quality, but also available in a variety of fun colors.

We will not have enough time to list all the brands and models of pacifiers that are worth keeping in your store, so we'll stop here.

But if you really want parents to come in and buy these baby items from your store, don't stop looking for and offering as much variety of pacifiers and pacifier accessories as possible from leading brands and at affordable prices. Be prepared to listen to young parents' concerns, answer all their questions, and help them make the right choices.

Maintain well-stocked stands and stock availability and always rely on quality products.