My husband and I were leaving for dinner just after our babysitter arrived. This is someone whom we trust with our child because she is an extended family member. As I was coming out of our bedroom into the living room I saw the babysitter cleaning our son’s pacifier with her own spit. She had it in her mouth! I asked her what was going on and she said,’ Oh, he just dropped his pacifier.’ The conversation continued and my husband thought I was making a big deal of it. It is a big deal, isn’t it? Thanks. Mrs. E
Mrs. E – You are correct. A baby’s bottle, pacifier, eating utensils—and anything else that is for his or her oral use—should not be placed in your babysitter’s mouth.
According to the American Dental Association, bacteria from the babysitter can be transferred to your son and promote tooth decay. Also, if your babysitter has a cold or virus that hasn’t manifested itself yet, the germs can be transferred to your son.
Although one study by Swedish researchers shows that children of parents who suck a pacifier to clean are less likely to have asthma or eczema, if parents have cavities, it is recommended that they also avoid sucking the pacifier to clean it.
This post is sponsored by Baton Rouge dentist Dr. Steven Collins.