Pacifier facts for kids

A pacifier (also called a dummy or soother in some places) is a special item that a baby sucks on to feel calm and comfortable. Sucking is a natural thing for babies to do, and it helps them relax.

Pacifiers usually have a soft part called a teat that babies suck on. This teat is often made from silicone (a type of plastic) or latex (a kind of rubber). Silicone is becoming more popular because it lasts longer and is easier to keep clean. The teat is attached to a plastic plate. This plate can be round, oval, or even shaped like a butterfly. Pacifiers come in many colors and designs, sometimes with cartoon characters, to make them look fun for babies.

The main job of the plastic plate, which acts like a mouth guard, is to stop the baby from accidentally swallowing the pacifier. If a baby somehow manages to get it into their mouth too far, the mouth guard is designed to be too big to pass down their throat. It also has holes in it. These holes allow air to pass through, so the baby can still breathe even if the pacifier gets stuck. Some pacifiers also have a ring attached, which makes it easy for parents to take it out.

Some people worry that using pacifiers might affect a child's teeth. Because of this, many teats are now made in a special shape to help teeth grow properly. These are called orthodontic teats. Other teats, which are not shaped this way, are sometimes called cherry teats.

Images for kids

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  A modern pacifier

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  An old pacifier design from 1900

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  Babies might use a pacifier, their fingers, or thumb to comfort themselves.

See also

In Spanish: Chupete para niños