FRIGG Pacifiers: Natural Rubber vs. Medical Grade Silicone
Our FRIGG pacifiers are made with nipples in two different types of material: Medical grade silicone and natural rubber (latex). There are pros and cons to both materials, so which one should you choose for your child?
Natural rubber pacifier — made of latex from the rubber tree
Natural rubber is also called latex and is a completely natural material. Natural rubber comes from the rubber tree, whose juice (latex milk) is extracted and processed into natural rubber. Pacifiers in natural rubber are soft and elastic and can be recognized by their yellow/brown color.
Medical grade silicone pacifier — free from harmful ingredients
Medical grade silicone is the purest type of silicone and is an industrially manufactured material. Because of the purity of the material, it is often used in both the food and pharmaceutical industries. Silicone is 100% free from harmful ingredients such as BPA, PVC, and phthalates. Silicone is clear and transparent and has a smooth surface.
Introducing: FRIGG medical grade silicone nipple with a SilkySoft™ surface
Our medical grade silicone nipple now has a smooth surface called SilkySoft™. The nipple has been made even softer than prior, which minimizes the risk of babies developing any tension in their head and jaw. Softened silicone has proven to be a safer choice for babies’ palate and gums, due to the gentleness of the material. Babies will in fact often take a pacifier with a smooth surface rather than a rough one, which is why we have found this improvement necessary.
Different materials – different strengths
Natural rubber and silicone are 2 very different materials with different strengths and qualities. The main differences between them are:
Safety
The purpose of our FRIGG pacifier is to give the little ones a peace of mind by imitating a mother’s breast. To make it as easy and natural as possible for the baby to switch between our pacifier and a mother’s breast, many choose to try natural rubber first, because natural rubber is softer, and it is more similar to the elasticity of the skin and breast than silicone.
Allergies
Silicone is clearly the cleanest and most allergy-friendly of the two types of materials. If you have latex allergy in your family, you should choose our medical grade silicone pacifiers.
Smell and taste
Silicone is a fragrance-neutral material, whereas natural rubber has a slightly characteristic fragrance. Preference varies from child to child.
Durability
Natural rubber is more elastic than silicone, and it is harder for small baby teeth to bite into pieces. Silicone pacifiers do not age quickly, while natural rubber has limited durability. You will therefore experience that natural rubber expands and changes shape over time, while silicone retains its shape.
Storage
Natural rubber can be damaged by light and heat sources, whereas silicone can better withstand environmental impact. Therefore, it is important that you always store your natural rubber pacifiers in a dark, dry place at room temperature. Never leave them in a windowsill, where they might get exposed to sun and light.
Cleaning
The younger the baby, the more important good pacifier hygiene is, and the more often the pacifiers need to be cleaned. And in this case, silicone is an easier material to handle than natural rubber. Silicone has a smooth surface and doesn’t attract dust or dirt. As silicone has a high heat tolerance, the pacifier will not be damaged by the frequent, repeated sterilizations that good pacifier hygiene requires.
All children are unique
Natural rubber and silicone each have advantages and disadvantages. There will always be divided opinions about which material is the best or the healthiest. All children are different, and in the end, your child will choose the material he/she likes the best.
Have you noticed the four little slanting lines inside the nipple?
Some of you may wonder if these lines are a matter of a defect nipple, and the clear answer is NO. The lines are simply a part of the nipple design. We always strive to make our pacifiers stand out on the pacifier market, and that also includes our nipple design.
