Clare, what are the benefits of a soother?
Well, there are lots of benefits. Soothers can be used for many reasons, but their main aim is to soothe a baby to sleep, that’s been fully fed and winded, but is still finding it hard to settle down to sleep. They can also be a brilliant source of comfort to a baby who’s suffering from problems such as colic or reflux and they can give a Mum a much-needed break if her baby keeps wanting to suck on her breast for comfort rather than because they’re still hungry. And finally, when you get to the point where your child no longer needs that extra comfort of sucking, it’s much easier to remove a soother than a thumb, and this view is certainly backed up by the British Orthodontic Society.
Zoe, what should you consider when choosing a soother?
Not all soothers are created equal! Avoid soothers with a thick, round teat, as these can prevent the mouth from closing correctly. Instead, opt for a teat that's flat in shape with a thin and flexible neck. MAM soothers are all designed alongside orthodontists.
Clare, can you use a soother from birth?
Yes, I think it’s fine to introduce a soother as soon as it becomes apparent that the baby needs that extra comfort and is unable to settle without one. But it is really important only to use a soother when the baby has had all their needs met. You shouldn’t use it just to stop your baby crying when they’re crying to tell you that they’re still hungry.
Zoe, do you have anything to add?
I breastfed my first two daughters beyond two years and currently breastfeeding my third daughter. To me soothers were a great help, but I never use them to replace breastfeeding. Soothers help me settle them down so I can have a break or for practical reasons, like driving the car.
If you’re trying to conceive (TTC), you probably know that there are certain foods and nutrients that become especially important once you’re pregnant. But nutrition plays a vital role even when trying to conceive, much like laying a strong foundation before constructing a house.
Certain nutrients create that foundation by supporting egg and sperm health (yes, nutrition matters for both partners), hormone balance and creating a hospitable environment for a fertilized egg to implant. In fact, studies show that certain nutrients can help increase fertility and improve success rates for both natural conception and fertility treatments.
In other words, nutrition is a key player in the TTC journey, but getting the right nutrients in the right quantities can be tricky. That’s where supplements come in. Just as you’d take a multivitamin to fill in nutritional gaps for optimal health, fertility supplements can give you that extra nutrient boost.
Choosing supplements for your fertility journey
When choosing a supplement to support your fertility journey, look for science-backed, high-quality ingredients. Our editors are careful to select and partner with brands that use ingredients that have been clinically studied to support fertility. Eu Natural® (pronounced you) covers all those bases and more. We love knowing that Eu Natural® products contain zero artificial additives, binders, or fillers and are lab-tested to ensure purity and potency.
When choosing a supplement to support your fertility journey, look for science-backed, high-quality ingredients. Our editors are careful to select and partner with brands that use ingredients that have been clinically studied to support fertility. Eu Natural® (pronounced you) covers all those bases and more. We love knowing that Eu Natural® products contain zero artificial additives, binders, or fillers and are lab-tested to ensure purity and potency.
Claire Byam-Cook is a trained nurse and a midwife. Author of "What to Expect When You're Breastfeeding...and What If You Can't?", "Top Tips for Breastfeeding," "Top Tips for Bottle-Feeding" and Presenter of the DVD "Breastfeeding without Tears."
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