Just a Weird Question About Binkies

Hello-

I don't think you're suppose to use them when they are a couple years old. The rubber can get old, brittle and break causing a choking hazard.

Good luck.

I wouldn't reuse pacifiers that had been used by another baby and then been stored for several years. Plastic breaks down over time. They are inexpensive enough that they should just be replaced.

I wouldn't, the rubber inside changes and could likely break off easier, could cause a choking hazard. D.

I reused our silicone ones and plan to do it again as they still haven't been used much. I just throw them in the dishwasher and boil them before giving them to the next kid. As long as they seem to be in good condition, I wouldn't think it would be a problem. I do know rubber breaks down faster, so rubber ones might be a different story. Congratulations on your soon to arrive little one!

The biggest concern would be what shape is the rubber/silicone nipple in. If it is dry and cracked or has a kind of odd film on it or feels kind of gooey you should either throw it away or pack it back up with the first baby's favorite things. Also, grab the tip of the nipple and tug away from the base. When a baby is sucking on a pacifier the biggest stress on is it where the nipple attaches to the shield. If you see cracks there or if it starts to slip off, then toss it. If it seems to be in good shape, you should be safe reusing it, but you will need to keep checking it for wear,especially where it attaches. I would just buy a new one (they are fairly cheap anyway) and not take the chance of the old one falling apart in the baby's mouth.

Hi A.,

I have heard that it is not safe to 'reuse' binkies, as the rubber (?) material breaks down over time and can pose a chocking hazard. It is recommended that you replace a pacifier every few months. Hope this helps...

I think you should toss the old binkies and buy new ones. They aren't that expensive and you never know if the silicone has degraded and could be harboring germs. Especially with a newborn. I think you'd be safer to just start over.
Congrats on the new one and good luck!
S.

no you will have to get new one's.

I would buy new ones as there have been recalls on some binkies in the last couple of years. I did reuse mine with both my youngers but only because the first was still using one when the second came around and the first would share with the baby whether I wanted the baby to have one or not.

A. I would just replace them. Three years is enough time that the material that the binkie is made out of could be breaking down. They aren't too expensive, though everything is beginning to cost money due to the price of gasoline!!! So I would just replace them with new ones. Then you know that they aren't breaking down, or germy.

Congratulations on your new baby !

Nope, you shouldn't re use them. The material used to make the part the baby puts in their mouth can break down and can cause problems. You also have the potential to grow bacteria in all the little cracks and crevices. So go and get some new ones.

Absolutly not! You are suppose to change every three months (binkies and bottle nipples). They are a choking hazard; they become loose and the kids can brake them off in their mouth. Sorry but please don't try it.

Buy new ones! You don't know what kind of bacteria is living in the old ones. Also just another tip if you ever notice any moisture inside a binki throw it out. I'm not a of gerem-a-phobe by any means, I'll give my baby his after it has fallen on the floor. But mold can grow on the inside once moisture gets in them and it can make babies very ill.
Congrats on the new baby shouldn't be too long now!

You definately should not reuse them. The rubber does not stay good for that long. It becomes brittle and starts to desinagrate.
KT

I think it would be best to buy new ones. I just had another baby 4 months ago and my other son is 3. One things I noticed is that the manufactors have changed the designs on some things in the past 3 years. Plus the nipple on the binkie probably isn't in the best conidition either.

Buy new ones as the old ones fall apart and it is unsanitary to use the old ones.

I think it would depend on how much they were used. I bought binkies for my first baby, but then he didn't like them because he got used to the ones he got at the hospital and so I bought more of that brand and put away the ones I bought before he was born. With my second baby, I used the previous binkies because she didn't care (and because my first child never really used them). I did sterilize them first before giving them to my daughter. But if your oldest used them a lot and they show any signs of wear, I'd throw them out and buy new ones.

I'd toss em. Binkies aren't that expensive. Rubber degrades esp when it's been sitting motionless for a long time. Besides, they're always coming up with new types of binkies that are better for your teeth or that cause less nipple confusion,...etc. They've made a lot of progress in the past 3 years. Go with the new.

get a (short) binkie clip while you're at it - they you won't lose those new binkies.

No, it isn't a good idea. I have heard that they hold germs in them after about 3 months. Kind of like a toothbrush...change every 3 months. I think it also states that on the binki packaging. Also, once a nipple or binki becomes sticky, throw it out immediately! That is a huge indicator that it is holding a lot of germs!

A.,
You can use them again. I would run them through the top shelf of the dishwasher a couple of times. You could buy new and they aren't that expensive. I bought our son several and I got some for my baby shower. He never used them he just spits them at me the little stinker. After trying two I never opened anymore of them. Thank goodness my nephew and his wife are having a baby in Oct. Great shower gift. Also I got the nicest pacifiers from a friend. They look like little critters with wings. If the binkie is dropped the wings close over the nipple so it doesn't hit the floor. They were great. They are a bit on the expensive side for a binkie. If I think of the name I will pass it on to you. Or you could ask in a baby store that is where my friend got them.

I think the rubber ones will get hard and may crack after time, but if they are the silicone (clear ones) they should be ok. By the way great name!

A.,
I would not resue binkies that are that old. They are cheap enough (thankfully) that you can buy a couple new ones. I have twins that are almost 6 and my youngest will be a year in three weeks. I bought all new ones for the baby. My sisters and I are real close and have children that are close in age, we shared the some of the bottles, not the nipples (after sterilization), but never the pacifiers. The rubber breaks down, holds mold and germs. It's safer to buy new ones. Each child has their own preferance on shape and size. Hope this helps and good luck. :)

I probably wouldn't if they were used. Besides I think they are being made with safer materials these days. Just my opinion but I would replace them.

If they are silicone I would resue them after thouroughly washing them in the dishwasher on the sanitizer mode and then letting them air dry for a while :) The rubber ones break down really easily and they also aren't the highest grade of rubber and I didn't feel comfortable reusing those, or using them with my girls. I really like the silicone.

as long as the plastic's not brittle, they should be fine

I suggest you not use latex binkies (the one's with the brown bulb) that are used or old as they tend to break down, get sticky, or fall apart. I have reused vinyl (clear) binkies with two children. Just make sure they are fully intact, and that you sanitize them in boiling water, then hand wash with soapy water to ensure no germs or dirt are still there. I always ended up buying new binkies anyway, since none of my three kids used the same kind when they used them regularly. Good luck!

I would get new ones, only because I think rubber tends to break down over time, and they may not be safe anymore.

I wouldn't but I'm fussy about that kind of thing. At least, I would boil them to clean them. Good luck!!!

If the binkies have cracks, throw them away (the materials can get dry and crack as they get older). If they don't have any cracks, wash them and keep using them. There are no germs that can survive on a dry surface more than 3 days.

Well, If you ever have a doubt about anything at home go to webmd.com. I have used it a lot and so has my first time daddie(my husband). I would just get new ones because your not sure what or if the baby girl will take that exact one any ways. If you do a good way to go is the soothies made by the first years. They are the best thing ever and it's fun but they have a smile face on them. Well, I hope you get what you need. Good luck, K.

I wouldn't but it is a weird reason why...

I had used binkies from my dd when my son was born and for some reason that was the binkie my husband chose to give him first. Well he was quite fond of it being so soft and pliable from being 'broken in by his sister. (actually in retrospect that might have been good, it was more like a breast) Anyway, the problem came when that binkie got misplaced there was no others like it! I bought every binkie model made but no others were soft like his old used bink. Needless to say I had to keep darn good track of that binkie!

We did eventually get it sorted at out as he got older and wasn't so fussy about what he liked to suck on, but it sure was a pain for a couple of months.

Also, binkies do wear out and you should pull on them and check for cracks to make sure they are holding up.

i saved my sons binkies to use later, but ended up throwing them all away after i got them out. they were all kind of sticky and a few had mold on the inside. just check them out carefully before you decide to use them. if you want to keep them maybe throw them in the dishwasher first.

i would just buy new ones. to be safe ya know?

We have reused binikies---but I store mine in plastic baggies (afte washing & drying). Anyway, rewash them---boil or just in the dishwasher) and then PULL hard on the nipple. There should be no movement, breakage, etc. between the base and the nipple.

If you don't have silicone, check for cracking. Utah weather is dry, dry, dry and it is hard on the "normal" nipple (non-silicone).

Editing after reading other responses: You should always check your binkies---but as long as the nipple is not impaired, there is nothing to say that you shouldn't use them again! And, if they have been dried properly, they shouldn't have GROWN MOLD for Heaven's Sake!!

Some people have "issues" with everything, but if your binky is "good as new" (and it's PLASTIC with a SILICONE nipple---neither of those things degrade, even in a land-fill after HUNDREDS of years), then you should be OK. I have about 15 binkies for my baby. None of them get loads of use. I check each one when I pull it out of the cabinet. I have never, ever had one fail---and I pull HARD. This is the primary reason I don't use rubber anything, that, and I think rubber LOOKS nasty. I'm sure it functions well.

My baby is almost 6 months old. We'll be moving to the next size. I'll be using his older brother's binkies---as long as they pass the pull test.

Perhaps this is my Canadian-ness? We don't have as many "rules" about reuse as they seem to in the US. Everyone in the US seems to think that everything used once should be thrown away. I don't believe that. Flame away. If you read the back of the package, it will tell you how to "check" the binky---pulling on the nipple.

Hope that helps!

As inexpensive as they are I would just buy new ones. Would you want to inherit someones old toothburush? I sure wouldn't, I think thats kind of gross. Besides 2 1/2 years is quite some time in the baby market theres alot of new neat product to choose from.

We reused my 3-year-old dd silicone pacies -- made by Avent. They aren't cheap, and we had like 8 of them...

Just wash them in super hot water or dishwasher (as long as you use eco/child-friendly detergent -- some standard detergents leave a funny-tasting film on your dishes; can't be good for you.) I would think the yellow rubber pacies would be icky by now, though. I would only reuse the silicone ones. Congrats!

I wouldn't. Plastic breaks down and gets dried out and can crack causing pieces to possibly coming off. They are so inexpensive I would just get new ones.

Although I am not against sharing, I would go buy a new one since they are not that expensive. You could sterilize it if you needed to, but likely you'll get one for a shower gift anyway. Also, you saved it for a reason. K