Safety instructions for pacifier cords
🍼Dear Parent, Grandparent, Friend, or Gift-Giver
Every pacifier cord created at Keleja is handmade—with attention, gentleness, and deep care for the little ones.
Because this product is intended for babies, safety is not a detail but a foundation. I consciously choose materials that are soft for little hands and work according to the applicable standards.
Nevertheless, it remains important that every pacifier cord is used and maintained correctly. On this page, you will find all the information you need: from materials and finishing to user instructions and maintenance tips.
Not to lecture, but to care together—so your little one can enjoy it safely and comfortably.
📏About the length of a pacifier cord
Every pacifier cord I make is assembled with love and attention—but also with respect for the safety standards intended to protect your little one.
The maximum length of a pacifier cord is 22 cm without the clip, but including the loop to which the pacifier is attached. This length is not chosen randomly: it ensures that the cord remains shorter than the circumference of a baby's neck—which is about 24 cm on average
This avoids the risk of entanglement.
So never make a pacifier cord longer, not even with the best intentions. It is important to always attach it to your child's clothing.
Sometimes you see a pacifier cord attached to a longer loop, a baby sling, or a blanket—because it looks nicer or seems more practical. But unfortunately, that is not safe.
This way, the cord unintentionally becomes longer, and a dangerous situation can still arise, even in an unguarded moment.
The difference of a few centimeters may seem small, but it can make a big difference in an unguarded moment.
🌿About the beads used & extra safety
At Keleja, I mainly work with high-quality silicone beads. These are specially selected for their softness, durability, and safety.
They are BPA-free, PVC-free, lead-free, and phthalate-free, and comply with the applicable European guidelines for baby products. Every material I use is tested and certified according to the standards that apply in Belgium and the EU.
In addition to silicone, I also use wooden beads made of untreated beech wood—pure, natural, and safe for little hands. Beech wood is a conscious choice: it has a fine structure and is sturdy, meaning it splinters very little, if at all. This makes it particularly suitable for baby products, where softness and safety go hand in hand. Each wooden element is carefully selected and processed to fit within the gentle world of Keleja.
What you rarely see with other makers, but what I consciously add as a standard, is a 16 mm safety bead. This bead has two holes on each side, instead of one. This allows me to work with a double thread, where the threads split coming in and out of the bead.
This bead is placed at the bottom of the pacifier cord, on the loop side. It prevents the last bead from sliding over the knot. Even if someone were to untie the knot, the beads would remain securely in place.
A small bead, with a big difference in safety.
🧵About the cord used
For all products intended for babies and small children—such as pacifier cords, teething rings, and nursing necklaces—I use 2 mm thick satin cord.
For pacifier cords, I work with a double thread. This makes threading a bit more difficult, but it ensures that the beads stay firmly and safely in place. In the beginning, the cord feels a bit stiffer, but over time it becomes more flexible and shapes itself nicely to its use.
Satin cord has several special properties:
It is exceptionally strong and does not break easily
It has a soft satin sheen that combines beautifully with the beads
It is available in countless colors, allowing me to match the color of the cord to the design every time.
Every detail counts—the cord also contributes to the safety and appearance of your pacifier cord.
🌬️About ventilation holes in the pacifier clip
Perhaps you have noticed them: the three small holes in a pacifier clip. They seem like a detail, but they are of great importance.
These ventilation holes must be at least 4 mm in diameter. They are there to reduce the risk of suffocation. Should a pacifier clip—despite all precautions—end up in your little one's mouth, these holes ensure that air can still pass through.
A pacifier cord without these holes does not meet safety standards, and I advise against purchasing such a product.
At Keleja, I usually work with silicone pacifier clips because their color and shape complement the design beautifully. But sometimes I also choose a wooden pacifier clip, and then exclusively in beech wood—a type of wood that hardly splinters and can be finished smoothly.
Every part of a pacifier cord contributes to its safety and appearance. And at Keleja, no compromises are made on this.
👀About supervision and conscious use
A pacifier cord is not a toy, but an accessory for the pacifier.
Although the beads often resemble those of a teething ring—silicone or wood—the use and knotting technique are completely different. Does your little one tend to suck on it? Then I recommend giving a teething ring, which is designed for that purpose.
Supervision is essential. A pacifier cord should never be taken into a crib, bed, or playpen. Even if you use a baby monitor with a camera, there is no complete visibility, and you are often busy with other things—or taking a moment of rest yourself.
Don't forget to communicate this clearly when your child is staying elsewhere—with grandparents, a babysitter, or in a daycare situation. Not everyone is aware of the risks, and a small misunderstanding can have serious consequences.
That is why I include a safety instruction sheet on use and maintenance with every purchase of a pacifier cord. This provides every parent, caregiver, or gift-giver with clear guidelines—not as a luxury, but as a gentle reminder that safety always comes first.
Together, we ensure a safe start, with gentleness and attention.
🔍Check before and after use
A pacifier cord is used intensively—it travels in bags, lies on clothes, and is clipped on and off. Therefore, it is important to check it before and after each use.
Through use, a pacifier cord can lose its strength over time, and then it is no longer safe.
When checking, pay attention to the following points:
Loose parts
Wear on the cord
Cracks or splinters in wooden beads
Never untie knots in a pacifier cord to make it tighter.
The cord will naturally become more flexible with use, and untying knots can weaken the construction.
If you discover a defect, stop using it immediately and replace the pacifier cord.
A quick check, a big difference—for your little one's safety.
🧼Cleaning your pacifier cord
Has your pacifier cord gotten dirty? No worries—with a little care, it is easy and safe to clean.
Silicone beads have the property of being static, causing them to attract dust quickly. You can easily clean them with lukewarm water and a soft cloth.
Wooden beads, like the untreated beech wood I use, require a bit more care. Wipe them with a slightly damp cloth or a baby wipe. Never use cleaning agents, and certainly do not hold the wood under the tap—it can become soft, warp, or even crack. After cleaning, let the pacifier cord air dry, out of the sun and away from heat sources.
Is this the only way? Yes. A pacifier cord should not be boiled, and does not belong in the sterilizer or dishwasher. It sounds logical, but it still happens sometimes—and that can damage the product.
Is your pacifier cord ready for use again, but not needed right away? Store it in a cotton bag or a special box. This way, it stays hygienic, clean, and ready for the next moment of comfort.
A little care, a whole lot of safety—for your little one.
🌸Finally
How wonderful that you have come this far.
Thank you for taking the time to read this page—with attention, curiosity, and care. Hopefully, you found it useful, now or in the future.
Every pacifier cord created at Keleja carries a piece of my heart. And with this information, I hope that you as a parent, caregiver, or gift-giver can choose with confidence and peace of mind.
Safety is not an afterthought, but a gentle promise.
Love, Keleja
