Young babies are particularly vulnerable to germs and bacteria, and dummies can be a breeding ground for them if they’re not kept clean. That's why it's essential to wash and sterilise them regularly.
Let's explore simple steps to ensure your baby's dummy remains safe and ready to soothe.
Why keeping your baby's dummy clean is important
It's so important to keep your baby’s soothers clean because dirty dummies can make babies unwell. Poor dummy hygiene could increase the risk of illnesses like:
Thrush: Dirty dummies can contribute to the spread of thrush, a fungal infection that can develop in the mouth and throat. It can cause discomfort and interfere with your baby's feeding.
Bacteria and viral infections: Dummies can pick up harmful germs from surfaces they touch, like floors, kitchen countertops, and even other baby's mouths. These germs can lead to illnesses like colds, the flu, diarrhea, and ear or respiratory infections.
How to sterilise and clean dummies
You should clean and sterilise any new soothers you buy your baby before you use them for the first time, and again before every use.
The goal is to minimise germ exposure, we won’t be able to ever eliminate it completely.
Cleaning dummies with warm soapy water
- Wash the dummy thoroughly with warm soapy water
- Rinse with clean water
- Remove any water that may have entered the teat by squeezing it
Sterilising dummies in boiling water
- Remove the soother from its packaging
- Place it in a small pan of boiling water for 5 minutes
- Allow it to cool completely
- Then squeeze out any trapped water from the teat before giving it to your baby.
Sterilising dummies in a steriliser
You can buy small sterilisers that are specially designed for baby soothers, but if you have other items (like baby bottles, breast pumps, and teething rings) to clean, a larger steriliser will come in handy!
Tommee Tippee sterilisers use UV light or 100% natural steam to kill viruses* and 99.9% of bacteria.
*Tested against Coronavirus (tested to EN 16777) and Influenza H1N1.
Sterilising dummies in a microwave pod
You can buy specially designed microwave sterilising bags for baby soothers which can be helpful when out and about.
Did you know that all two-pack Tommee Tippee soothers come packaged in a reusable case for simple microwave sterilising? Here’s how it works:
- Add 30ml of clean tap water to one half of the steriliser case and put one or two soothers in it with their teats submerged.
- Close the case securely with a locking click in each corner.
- Make sure your microwave’s heat plate is clean.
- Microwave on high power (750-1000w) for 4 minutes.
- After microwaving, let the case and contents cool completely before carefully removing and pouring out any remaining water.
- Check that the soothers are cool before giving them to your baby.
Dummy storage: How to keep them clean?
When your baby is not using their dummy, it’s best to sterilise it, then keep it in a clean, dry, covered container.
Dummy hygiene: Top tips
- Always follow the manufacturer’s cleaning and safety guidelines.
- Do not clean your baby’s dummies with solvents or harsh chemicals.
- Check your baby's soothers regularly for cracks, splits, and holes, and replace their dummies every month or right away at the first signs of any damage or weakness.
- Dummies need to be kept as clean as possible. Wash them with warm, soapy water and rinse well. Make sure to squeeze out any liquid that gets into the teat of their dummy, then sterilise.
- Dry with a clean and dry paper towel and store in a clean, sealed container.
- If your baby is diagnosed with thrush or an infection, replace their dummies.
- Each baby should have their own dummy and shouldn't share to help stop the spread of germs.
- Sterilising bottles, teats and dummies (health.qld.gov.au)
- Dummies and Hygiene | INPAA
- Baby Dummies and Pacifiers | Newborn Dummy | Tresillian
