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How to sterilize pacifiers

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How to sterilize pacifiers
Pacifier Guides Parenting Tips

How to sterilize pacifiers – a step-by-step guide

Pacifiers are little lifesavers – for babies and for parents. But with all the love (and drops on the floor) they go through, they need regular cleaning to stay free from bacteria and maintain a hygienic pacifier that can do its job without parents needing to worry.

In this guide, we’ll walk you through the best way to sterilize a pacifier, how often to clean it, and how to care for it in a way that protects your baby’s health - and your peace of mind.

Our pacifiers need a proper amount of care in order to protect our little ones from bacteria and viruses and maintain good pacifier hygiene.

Pacifier sterilizing checklist

Maintaining proper pacifier hygiene helps prevent bacteria buildup and keeps your baby safe. Use this checklist as part of your daily care routine to ensure consistent, safe use over time.

  • Inspect the FRIGG pacifier for damage or discoloration before sterilizing.

    Inspect

    Check every part of the pacifier for wear or damage before each use.

  • Clean daily

    Pour with boiled water, let it soak for 5 min

  • Dispose of any pacifier that is worn, damaged, or overused for baby safety.

    Dispose

    After 1 - 2 months or in case of any wear or damage.

How to sterilize a pacifier - Step by step

  • Step 1: Always inspect the FRIGG pacifier before use to ensure it’s clean, intact, and safe for your baby.

    Step 1

    Check the pacifier for cracks, wear or water inside before each use to keep your baby safe.

  • Step 2: Place the FRIGG pacifier into the bowl

    Step 2

    Place the pacifier in a bowl. Bring fresh water to a boil in a clean pot to prepare for pacifier sterilization.

  • Step 3: Bring clean water to a boil in a pot to sterilize your FRIGG pacifier safely. Pour the boiling water into the bowl with the pacifier.

    Step 3

    Carefully pour boiling water over your FRIGG pacifier in a clean bowl to begin sterilization.

  • Step 4: Let the FRIGG pacifier boil for 5 minutes in the bowl to ensure it’s fully sterilized.

    Step 4

    Let the pacifier boil for 5 minutes to ensure thorough sterilization.

  • Step 5: Use clean tongs to safely remove the sterilized FRIGG pacifier from the hot water and place onto a clean dry towel.

    Step 5

    Lift the pacifier out with tongs and place it on a clean, dry towel.

  • Step 6: Allow the FRIGG pacifier to cool and dry completely before giving it to your baby. Make sure to squeeze out any excess water inside the nipple.

    Step 6

    Allow the pacifier to cool and dry fully before giving it to your baby. Squeeze out any excess water in the nipple.

How often should I clean the pacifier?

The younger your child is, the more important it is to protect it from bacteria and viruses and maintain a good pacifier hygiene. This is partly due to the fact that a young child’s immune system doesn’t mature until they are three months old.  Premature babies, infants, and babies up to 3 months do not tolerate as many bacteria and viruses as babies over three months. 

Babies 0 - 3 months

  • Sterilize daily
  • Clean every time it's dropped

The pacifier should be cleaned with boiling water every time it has been dropped on the floor. In addition, the pacifier should be cleaned at least once a day as described above.

Babies 3+ months

  • Sterilize daily
  • Rinse with hot water if dropped

Rinse the pacifier once a day under boiling water and under cold water if it has been dropped on the floor.

Why is there water in the pacifier after cleaning?

All FRIGG pacifiers are designed in compliance with the European safety standard EN 1400, which sets strict requirements for material safety, construction, and performance.

Each pacifier features a built-in air valve that allows air to flow in and out of the nipple, helping the pacifier retain its natural shape during use. This design also means water can enter the nipple during cleaning. Hence why it's important to squeeze excess water out of the nipple when the pacifier has cooled down sufficiently.

After sterilizing the pacifier:

  • Let the pacifier cool
  • Gently squeeze the nipple to remove water

A small amount of condensation may remain - and that's completely safe.

When should you replace a pacifier?

No matter how much you clean and care for your pacifier, it is important to replace it in time. We recommend replacement every 4 - 8 weeks depending of usage. Read more about when to replace the pacifier in our blog post.

Sterilization of pacifiers FAQ

CAN I STERILIZE A PACIFIER IN THE MICROWAVE?

At FRIGG we don't recommend using a microwave to sterilize a pacifier. Microwaves may seem convenient, but they can expose the pacifier to intense, uneven heat or harsh conditions that FRIGG pacifiers are not designed to withstand.

This method often create sudden bursts of high heat and steam. This can warp or degrade the pacifier's natural rubber or silicone nipple, and may compromise the shape or safety of the shield.

CAN I STERILIZE A PACIFIER IN THE DISHWASHER?

At FRIGG we don't recommend using a dishwasher to sterilize a pacifier. As convenient as it may be like the microwave, it can expose the pacifier to intense uneven heat or harsh conditions that FRIGG pacifiers are not designed to withstand.

The dishwasher typically use high temperatures, pressure and detergent - all of which can weaken the pacifiers materials, affect the nipple's flexibility, or leave behind chemical residue that's unsafe for babies.

CAN I STERILIZE A PACIFIER IN A BOILIING POT?

Boiling a pacifier directly in a pot may seem like a good idea, but the intense heat from direct contact with boiling water can actually damage or deform the pacifier.

FRIGG pacifiers are made from carefully selected, baby-safe materials like natural rubber and medical grade silicone. These are designed to withstand heat - but only when it’s sterilized gently and safely - by pouring freshly boiled water over it in a clean bowl, rather than exposing it to harsh, direct heat.

WHAT IF WATER GETS INSIDE A PACIFIER?

Don’t worry - that’s completely normal. FRIGG pacifiers are designed with a small air valve in the nipple, which helps it flatten naturally to fit your baby’s mouth. This valve can also let a bit of water in during cleaning.

To remove the excess moisture, gently squeeze the nipple while holding the pacifier upside down. You may see a few drops come out - that’s expected. Then, let the pacifier air-dry overnight on a clean surface. Once dry, it’s ready to comfort your little one again.

A little condensation may remain inside the nipple, but it’s completely safe.

HOW TO CLEAN THE INSDIE OF A PACIFIER?

You don’t need to clean the inside separately. When you sterilize the pacifier by pouring boiling water over it the heat flows through the built-in air valve and naturally cleans the inside of the nipple as well. Afterward, gently squeeze out any excess water and let it air-dry completely.

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