While most pacifiers had clear labels, a few had labeling or age-grading discrepancies. Although this may seem like a minor issue, CR’s stance is that parents should never have to do their own research when it comes to pacifier labels or guess whether pacifier attachments, such as those made to resemble stuffed animals, are safe. Incident reports have tied the popular WubbaNub, for example, a plush-and-pacifier combo, to a hazardous sleeping environment risk, and it is recommended for use only when babies are awake. (Safe sleep guidelines from the American Academy of Pediatrics recommend no plush or soft items in your baby’s sleep area, to avoid the risk of suffocation.)
On its company website, WubbaNub states: “WubbaNub pacifiers can be used under observed napping and awake sucking. We’re advocates for safe sleep as recommended by the American Academy of Pediatrics and the Consumer Product Safety Commission. For extended overnight sleep, use a pacifier without the plush, such as our WubbaNub branded pacifier.” However, CR’s testers found that its package does not feature the same claims. We believe this safety warning should be prominently displayed on the package, where parents can easily see it.
CR contacted WubbaNub to request adding the warning to their packaging, and the company indicated that it is willing to do so: “We understand the importance of clear messaging at the point of purchase. While this warning is currently featured on our website, we are open to reviewing and incorporating additional messaging into future packaging updates.”
In an ideal world, all pacifier manufacturers would include clear and consistent age grading; warnings about checking for rips, tears, or damage; and expiration dates on their labels. But the only labeling standard required is the following warning on the individual packaging and on any retail display containing two or more pacifiers: “Warning—Do Not Tie Pacifier Around Child’s Neck as it Presents a Strangulation Danger.” This warning must appear “legibly” and “conspicuously.”
Most of the pacifiers we tested featured this warning label correctly. Four of them—Bibs, Itzy Ritzy Soother, Shein, and Sweet Child pacifiers—had the warning, but it was written incorrectly, in our experts’ judgment. And Ryan & Rose Cutie Pat Flat Pacifier was missing the CPSC’s mandatory warning statement about strangulation risk on its label. CR contacted Ryan & Rose, which responded, “Our current flat single packaging already includes the full verbiage. While the 10 packs did contain the line ‘Do not tie around a child’s neck,’ they were missing the added clarification ‘as it presents a strangulation danger.’ We are updating the flat 10 packs to ensure everything is consistent, and in the meantime, we will add stickers with the complete wording on all 10 packs going forward.”
