Choosing the right pacifier for your baby is a crucial decision. Natural rubber latex and silicone pacifiers are two popular options, each with its own set of advantages and disadvantages. In this comprehensive guide, we'll explore the differences between them to help you make an informed choice for your little one.
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Both Silicone and Latex are very different materials and each of them have their pros and cons. In the table below, we have summarised some of the factors to consider when choosing between both pacifiers.
Natural Rubber Latex
Silicone
Material Properties
Natural rubber latex pacifiers are made from the sap of rubber trees. They are biodegradable, making them an eco-friendly choice. The natural material comes with a natural aging process affected by natural influences like UV-light, air, saliva, and heat.
Silicone is an industrially manufactured hypoallergenic, odorless, and taste-neutral material that is known for its purity. It is 100% free of harmful and endocrine-disrupting ingredients such as BPA, PVC, and phthalates. They are firmer than latex pacifiers and does not age
Comfort & Feel
Latex pacifiers are softer and more flexible, providing a natural feel in your baby's mouth, which can mimic the feel of a mother's breast. Babies who prefer a softer texture often find latex pacifiers soothing.
Silicone pacifiers are firmer and may not feel as natural to some babies. However, they are durable and maintain their shape well.
Allergies & Sensitivities
Latex pacifiers have the potential to cause allergies in some babies, especially those with latex sensitivities. If your baby has a latex allergy, it's best to avoid these pacifiers.
Silicone pacifiers are hypoallergenic and a safer choice for babies with latex allergies or sensitivities.
Durability
Latex pacifiers are less durable and may need to be replaced more frequently, especially if your baby is an avid pacifier user.
Silicone pacifiers are durable and can last longer, making them a cost-effective choice in the long run.
Cleaning & Maintenance
Latex pacifiers require more careful cleaning and can't withstand high temperatures. Boiling them is not recommended.
Silicone pacifiers are easy to clean and can be sterilized by boiling, which makes them a hygienic choice.
Read our Pacifier Cleaning Guide
Read 3 things that shorten a pacifier lifespan
Shape & Design
Both come in various shapes and designs, catering to different preferences, designed to promote proper oral development
After you have chosen your pacifier, here are some tips when using them:
&#;&#;Pull test: Do the Pull Test every time before you give your child a dummy: Pull the pacifier nipple in all directions, and discard at the first signs of damage or weakness.
&#;&#;Replace regularly: Check the manufacturer&#;s leaflet to see how long it recommends you use the dummy for. Rubber pacifier lifespan is around 4-6 weeks (depending on usage). Throw away any dummy that shows signs of wear and tear, including a hole, a rip or even discoloration. If you are using rubber pacifier, the elasticity of the material allows the nipple to change shape and size because of the baby&#;s strong vacuum, this means that the nipple in some cases can expand if it is not replaced in time. Read more about when to replace pacifiers here
&#;&#;Sterilise only according to the manufacturer&#;s instructions: Please read our cleaning guide here
&#;&#;&#;&#;&#; Away from heat: Never leave a dummy in direct sunlight or near a strong source of heat, such as a radiator, as this can cause rubber to perish.
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The nipple of a pacifer is available in two materials: natural rubber latex and silicone - but, which one should you choose? What&#;s the best material for pacifier?
There are many benefits to both natural rubber pacifiers and silicone pacifiers. However, no matter how much research and personal preference you may have as a parent - the choice often belongs to the child who will decide what they like and prefer.
You may also get some guidance from your family physician as to a style of soother that best suits your baby's needs. Some NICU physicians recommend this style soother, whereas others may lean towards an orthodontic shape for dental reasons.
Natural Rubber for soothers is made from latex derived from many different species of plants around the world. This latex material is then refined and creates the soft brown/yellow rubber seen in pacifier nipples around the world.
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he natural rubber is made from rubber tree sap and is highly elastic, durable and tear-resistant&#;
Natural rubber soothers are often considered to be more environmentally friendly than other types of pacifiers because they are made from a renewable resource. Natural Rubber pacifiers are biodegradable, which means that they will break down and decompose over time especially with exposure to UV rays, saliva, and the like. It&#;s important to regular test your pacifier and replace every 6 weeks.
According to Bibs, Natural rubber latex pacifiers should be scalded rather than boiled. It is recommended to replace natural rubber pacifiers every 4-6 weeks for safety and hygienic reasons. Color variation may occur with natural rubber pacifiers, resulting in small changes across different boxes.
that for safety and hygienic reasons, replace the pacifier after 4 weeks of use.
Note: the natural rubber latex nipple of the soother is biodegradable. However, most natural rubber nipples are held together with a plastic base. To decompose, the nipple would need to be seperated from the pacifer body. Elodie Details bamboo pacifier is made with mixed renewable bamboo fiber and olefin polymer to create a highly durable material with less environmental footprints than plastic.
This is a super soft and resilient material, and creates a soft symmetrical shape for the soother or pacifier. The elasticity of the material allows the nipple to change shape and size because of the baby&#;s strong vacuum, this means that the nipple in some cases can expand if it is not replaced in time
Silicone Soothers
Silicone soothers are made from a synthetic polymer that is derived from silicone. This results in a product that is hypoallergenic, odorless, and taste-neutral material that is known for its purity. Silicone is 100% free of harmful and endocrine-disrupting ingredients such as BPA, PVC, and phthalates, and enjoyed across baby products for its safety and durability.
The silicone soother can also feature a transparent nipple that can be folded into different shapes. Silicone is more durable, holds it shape, does not age, and can withstand high temperatures.
They are also easier to clean and sterilize than natural rubber pacifiers, as they are resistant to bacteria and germs. However, silicone pacifiers may not feel as natural in the mouth as natural rubber pacifiers, and they are not biodegradable.
Despite durability, many brands continue to recommend replacing silicone soothers every 4-6 weeks for hygienic reasons.
Key Pacifier takeaways on Natural Rubber Latex versus Silicone
Silicone is an allergy-friendly material, so if you have a latex allergy in the family, you should choose silicone soothers.
Silicone and natural rubber soothers both need to be replaced every 4-6 weeks.
Silicone pacifiers are sturdier than natural rubber latex pacifiers , they retain their shape, do not age, and can withstand high temperatures and last longer.
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