How often should I change my baby's pacifier?

My rule: read the instructions, it will say somewhere between 4-8 weeks.

With Soothe Beginnings, replace pacifier nipples every 6 to 8 weeks, or sooner at the first sign of wear and tear. Whichever comes first.

That might sound often. But a pacifier spends a lot of time in your baby's mouth, getting sucked, chewed, dropped, washed and sterilized. All of that breaks silicone down over time, even when it still looks fine at a glance.

The American Academy of Pediatrics says pacifiers wear out over time and recommends checking them regularly for discoloration or tears, and replacing them when you see either (HealthyChildren.org).

Here's how to tell a pacifier needs replacing right now

Don't wait for the 6 to 8 week mark if you see any of these:

• A tear, crack, hole or nick anywhere on the nipple
• The nipple feels sticky, tacky or thinner than it used to
• It looks swollen, stretched or changed in shape
• It's discolored in a way that doesn't wash out
• Any part feels loose or doesn't sit the way it should

If you see one, toss it. Don't try to make it last another week.

Here's how to check a pacifier in 10 seconds

Do this before you hand it to your baby, especially once teeth start coming in:

1. Look. Hold it up to the light and check the whole nipple for tears, cracks or cloudy spots.
2. Feel. Run your fingers over it. It should feel smooth, not sticky or thin.
3. Pull. Give the nipple a firm tug. Nothing should give, stretch oddly or feel loose.

Do I need to check more often once my baby has teeth?

Yes. Teething babies chew on everything, and that's hard on a pacifier nipple. Once teeth show up, do the 10-second check every time, not just once in a while.

Do I have to replace the whole pacifier?

Not with ours. Soothe Beginnings pacifiers are built so the nipple is the part you replace. The shield stays, and the nipple is held on by a screw cap, like a baby bottle, that takes adult strength to open. So when it's time, you replace the nipple instead of buying a whole new pacifier.

• Pacifier Nipple Subscription: new nipples show up on schedule so you never have to remember.
• Pacifier Nipples 2 Pack: if you'd rather order as you need them.

New to Soothe Beginnings? Start with a kit that has all three nipple shapes (Nursing, Standard and Orthodontic) so you're ready for whatever your baby likes:

Heirloom Sample Kit
Plastic-free, hand-finished, made in the USA.

Flex Sample Kit
The more affordable way in, same nipple system, made in the USA.

Here's how to never forget: change your clocks, check your pacifiers

You already change the smoke detector batteries when the clocks change. Add pacifiers to that list. Twice a year, round up every pacifier in the house, the diaper bag, the car and grandma's, and do the 10-second check on all of them.

That's a backup, not a replacement schedule. Your 6 to 8 week rule still stands. But it catches the forgotten ones hiding in the car seat. And if the time change is wrecking your baby's sleep this week, here's how to adjust your baby to daylight saving time.

Quick answers

How long does a pacifier last? My rule is 6 to 8 weeks for the nipple, or sooner if you see any wear.

Can I just boil it to make it last longer? Cleaning keeps it clean, but it doesn't stop wear. Heat and sterilizing are part of what breaks silicone down over time, so cleaning more doesn't mean replacing less.

When should my baby stop using a pacifier altogether? My personal take is by 18 months. My free Pacifier Weaning Guide walks you through how.

Lindsay
Founder, Soothe Beginnings