Apparatus for satisfying the non-nutritive, oral-motor sucking needs of infants

An apparatus for satisfying the non-nutritive, oral-motor sucking needs of infants comprising:

• (a) a one-piece, generally cylindrical, elongated body of flexible, resilient, non-toxic, non-allergenic elastomeric material;
• (b) the outer surface of said one-piece, generally cylindrical, elongated body being soft, smooth, and non-porous, which resists the collection and retention of moisture, infectious material, and dirt;
• (c) said outer surface of said one-piece, generally cylindrical, elongated body further comprises a supple, scuff resistant and heat resistant material;
• (d) said one-piece, generally cylindrical, elongated body further comprising a length which takes the form of a wand;
• (e) an infant's pacifier held near one end of said one-piece, generally cylindrical, elongated body;
• (f) said one-piece, generally cylindrical, elongated body taking the form of a long, smooth, adorable toy animal;
• (g) a vertical slot extending completely through, from one side to the other side, of said long, smooth, adorable toy animal at its shoulder level, which allows the threading of a removable elongated, flat strap through said long, smooth adorable toy animal, said removable, elongated, flat strap forming a tab-flap pacifier holder when its ends are closed over said infant's pacifier;
• (h) whereby said apparatus further has minimal surfaces where infectious germs or viruses can be harbored;
• (i) whereby said apparatus does not easily become dirty or harbor infectious material in use, and whereby said apparatus is easily cleaned and disinfected by conventional cleaning apparatus and procedures when it does become dirty or infected;
• and
• (j) whereby said apparatus reinforces said infant's grasping skills, provides consistent perioral stimulation, and enhances said infant's ability to control and keep said pacifier in said infant's mouth for independent sucking.