Health Tip: Pacifier Safety

(HealthDay News) -- A pacifier can help keep your baby calm and happy between feedings. While pacifiers are generally safe, it's important to follow a few rules to prevent accidents.

Here are some suggestions, courtesy of the University of Michigan Health System:

• Never try to produce a homemade pacifier -- only use commercially approved, one-piece pacifiers.
• Use a clip designed to attach the pacifier to your baby's clothing, but never attach it with a string or any device that could strangle her.
• Only give your baby a pacifier with a hollow center. Avoid liquid-filled pacifiers, which could harbor germs.
• Never dip the pacifier in any liquid or sweet, as this can promote tooth decay.
• Wash the pacifier after each use, or if it has been dropped on the floor.
• If a pacifier has been damaged or broken, throw it away immediately.