Calming a cranky, crying baby can be nerve-wracking, particularly for a first-time parent. But as you may know, babies cry as a way to communicate. In most cases, your baby may be unhappy for good reasons such as being wet, hungry, hot, or they could have colic (for which there are many remedies). However, sometimes our precious little ones cry because they are bored and want our attention.
Obviously, you have other duties and responsibilities you need to take care of at home and work which makes calming your little one an unreachable task. This is where a super Soothie and Soothie come into play. Sucking on a Soothie has been shown to have a calming effect on babies and even provide relief from pain and anxiety. Since most babies are born with a natural sucking reflex, you just have to choose between a super Soothie or a Soothie to help keep your child calm.
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What is a Soothie?
A Soothie is a specific brand of pacifier used by newborns up to three-month-olds at home or the hospital. It is designed for babies with no teeth who are successfully breast or bottle-feeding. Made from medical-grade silicone, Soothies are free of BPA, DEHP, and natural rubber latex. They come in two scents; vanilla and natural scents, and in a variety of colors.
What is a Super Soothie?
A Super Soothie is a one-piece pacifier similar to a Soothie but designed for babies above three months old. Since they are also designed for toddlers with teeth, Super Soothies are more durable. They are made from medical-grade silicone free of BPA, DEHP, and natural rubber latex. They also come in various colors.
Similarities Between Super Soothies and Soothies
Super Soothies vs Soothies are quite similar in many aspects. For instance:
1. Manufacturer
Both Soothies and Super Soothies are manufactured solely by the Philips Avent Company. Soothie is a unique brand name given to their specific types of pacifiers. Based in England, Philips Avent mainly manufactures child care items from breast pumps and baby bottles to Soothies. The company is among the preferred suppliers of Soothies to hospitals globally.
2. Material
Philips Avent Soothie and Super Soothie are made from hospital-grade silicone, free from BPA, DEHP, and natural rubber latex. This is important for Soothies as they are designed for newborns who require utmost protection from harmful materials. The high-quality silicone also ensures durability, essential for Super Soothies, which toddlers may use as teethers.
3. Design
Both Soothies and Super Soothies have a one-piece design, sometimes called a gumdrop style. This means that there are no detachable parts on these pacifiers, which reduces the chances of your little one choking on those parts. You can also put your finger in the Soothie to help your baby suckle as you bond with them. It comes in a cute bear shape in different colors.
4. Nipple Shape
Philips Avent Super Soothies and Soothies each have an orthodontic nipple. An orthodontic nipple is designed to mimic the natural shape of a mother’s nipple while in the baby’s mouth. The advantage of this nipple shape is that it promotes natural gum and teeth development in the baby. This is unlike other kinds of pacifiers that interfere with these developments.
Differences Between Super Soothies and Soothies
Despite their similarities, there are some differences between a Soothie and a Super Soothie. Here are just a few of them:
1. Age Range
One of the main differences between Super Soothies and Soothies is the age range of children who can use either. The Philips Avent Soothie is specifically designed and sized for babies ranging from newborns to three-month-olds. On the other hand, the Philips Avent Super Soothie is made for babies three months old and older. It is even safe for teething toddlers.
2. Scents
Another clear difference is the presence of scents in Soothies and Super Soothies. Soothies are manufactured with two distinct scents; vanilla and natural scent. The vanilla scent is added to aid in calming and soothing newborns. However, Super Soothies are only manufactured with the natural scent. This is perhaps because older babies have developed ways to self-soothe.
Super Soothie vs Soothie: Which is Better
In the contest of Soothie vs. Super Soothie, the deciding factor is ultimately your baby and how you want to raise them. Some important determining factors can help you choose between the two Soothies, such as:
Age– Soothies are best for newborns to babies aged three months, while Super Soothies are designed for babies older than three months who may also be teething.
Scents– Soothies come in vanilla and natural scents, while Super Soothies come only in natural scents.
Material– Both are made from durable medical-grade silicone free from natural rubber latex, BPA, and phthalates like DEHP.
Design– Both have a one-piece design and come in various colors and cute animal shapes.
Hygiene– Both are dishwasher safe and can be safely sterilized in a microwave.
Nipple– Both have an orthodontic nipple that promotes the natural development of teeth and gums.
Super Soothie
Soothie
Super Soothie vs Soothie FAQs
1. Why should I get either of these pacifiers?
Pacifiers are a wonderful way to help your baby feel comforted and stay calm and quiet. As such, they can be a wonderful aid during stressful times, like when you start sleep training your baby. Pacifiers also provide your baby with a chance to practice their non-nutritive sucking (NNS). This is important for various reasons, including creating a positive association between sucking and satiation and providing short-term comfort for babies who can not feed due to medical reasons.
2. Super Soothie vs Soothie: Which one should I get for my baby?
Your baby’s age will determine this. From newborns to three-month-olds, you should get the Philips Avent Soothie. Babies who are aged three months and above can move to the Philips Avent Super Soothie. Although both are made from the same hospital-grade silicone, Super Soothies are tougher to withstand teething and so maybe too tough for newborns and smaller babies.
3. I heard that pacifiers ruin babies’ teeth and speech. Is that true?
This is a commonly asked question by many first-time mothers. Historically, pacifiers have been implicated in damaging the shape of a baby’s teeth or altering their speech. However, with the orthodontic nipple of the Soothie and Super Soothie, you need not worry. The soft silicone nipple mimics a mother’s nipple as it would be in a baby’s mouth, promoting natural development of teeth, gums, and speech rather than impeding it.
4. How long should my baby use the Soothie or Super Soothie before replacing it?
It is recommended that a Soothie be replaced every month for safety and hygiene considerations. Newborns are quite delicate, and with their weaker immune systems, they need the highest hygiene and care. As such, replacing their Soothies often is critical to their overall health. Replacements can wait a little longer for babies above three months using the Super Soothie.
