Is it safe to reuse nipples?

[brown bear]

Hi, friends. This may sound like a strange Q, but I was wondering if any one you have saved nipples for bottle feeding and used the same nipples from one baby to the next. I am planning on breastfeeding, but with my dd, who is now 4 years (March), we did give her a bottle now and then (and certainly around weening time). I have just unearthed a box of baby supplies in the attic and I have found a stash of nipples. Should I pitch them into the trash ("dry rot" after 4 years?) or can I use them with this baby -- who is due April 18th? After all I have been through, it seems odd to me that I am even asking this Q to some extent -- part of me says, "JUST BUY NEW NIPPLES AND PLAY IT SAFE!" Any thoughts?

[Athena]

I would toss them. Same with binkies/pacifiers. With old pacifiers, they will actually pop off the base. With old nipples, the holes seem to be stretched out on mine. (I've noticed that clear silicone nipples seem to age better then the brown rubber ones. Regardless, I would just start fresh.)

[BC-monarchbutterfly]

it was not as long for me but i purchased new nipples for the bottles

[homeschoolmom]

They are inexpensive and I think it would be safer to buy new ones.

Michelle

[Monchhichi]

I'm buying new ones, too. I figured they might not age well, so why take the chance?

[Kylie]

My Avent nipples are going through their 3rd and 4th kids . I did nurse till just this past week, and weaned the other two a bit earlier so the bottles got used about 5 or so months the first two times and this time will get used for about 4 months. I think if they look fine why pitch them? I know Avent nipples aren't cheap to replace!

[eli]

I reused, like Kylie. I also nursed, so we weren't giving bottles all day, every day.... but dd was in daycare so did use them regularly. I did buy a few more nipples, because I needed them, but just tossed them in the rotation with the old ones. I was going to use the paci's again, but some of them looked VERY funky so I ended up tossing.

[Lindey]

i too reused the avent ones, i checked them all and i could not see any signs of wear and tear, if they are the brown rubber ones then they do perish, but the silicone ones dont seem to.

[momagain]

This was a good question. I was wondering the same thing. I think that I have decided to check out each nipple and make judgement calls based on how they look and react after being boiled. With our son, we bought a case of them to take on a vacation so that they would not have to be washed daily so we have some that are even unused.

Renee
edd 5/8/05