Do you want to be able to take a car ride without screaming or head to a restaurant without an unhappy baby? Do you know that babies love pacifiers and using one of the best pacifiers keep you and your baby happy and sane.
Pacifiers are a wonderful invention, meant to mimic a mother’s breast. That is to say, babies can calm themselves by sucking, which is a coping mechanism they use to relax.
Unlike bottles, pacifiers aren’t meant for feeding.To clarify, they’re solely used to comfort a baby, and sometimes, they’re the only thing that will make an angry baby stop crying.
Are you worried about pacifier mouth developing?
Don’t worry; the American Dental Association says that pacifiers are safe for babies, and weaning doesn’t need to take place until your child reaches 2-4 years old.
Now that nothing is holding you back, let’s dive into the best pacifier picks.
Editor’s Choice
MAM Pacifiers
Why is it better?
- Made with super-soft silicone
- Breastfed babies adjust to MAM pacifiers well.
- They come in a sterilized case.
- The best nipple-like pacifier due to flattened shape
The Lineup At A Glance
| Product | Material | # in Pack | One or Two Piece Design | Feature 4 | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
The First Years GumDrop | Silicone | 2 | One Piece | ||
MAM Pacifier | Silicone | 2 | Two-piece | ||
Philips Avent Soothie Pacifier | Hospital-grade Silcone | 6 | One-piece | ||
NUK Silicone Orthodontic Pacifier | Silicone | 2 | One-Piece | ||
Bibs Natural Rubber Pacifier | Natural Rubber | 2 | Two-Piece | ||
Ecopacifier Rubber Pacifier | Natural Rubber | 2 | One-Piece |
The Best Pacifiers to Soothe Your Baby
1. The First Years GumDrop Newborn – Best Pacifier for Newborns
With a cut-out design that prevents the pacifier from blocking your baby’s nose, the First Years GumDrop allow babies to breathe easily when they’re using pacifiers. That is to say, these features help parents feel more comfortable giving them to their newborn baby.
- Gives baby room to breathe
- BPA-free
- Made from silicone
- Compatible with attachments
- One-piece design
- Hair sticks to the material
- Babies get their fingers stuck in them.
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Parents love the First Years GumDrops. They’re made of silicone and are made with a one-piece design. That’s a nice feature because many are two-piece designs, which means you need to worry about pieces breaking off.
These are as safe as they come for your newborn. They are:
- BPA-free
- Phthalate free
- Latex Free
You can use them for babies who are newborns up to 3 months old. They also sell similar pacifiers in bigger sizes, so don’t worry. If your baby loves these, you can find more.
Lastly, newborns cannot have heavy pacifiers; they fall right out of their mouths. The GumDrops are lightweight, so they’re a bit easier to keep in their mouths, which means less extra cleaning for you and less frustration for baby.
2. MAM Pacifiers – Best Pacifier for Breastfed Baby
The lightweight design with airholes for breathing and super-soft silicone nipple make the MAM pacifiers the best pacifier for breastfed babies.
- Curved shield
- Soft, silicone nipple
- Comes with a case
- Lightweight
- Two-piece design
- Air can get trapped inside.
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Breastfed babies are notoriously difficult when it comes to introducing any type of nipple to them, whether it’s a pacifier or bottle. They prefer the breast, so it makes finding the right pacifier tricky.
We have had incredible luck with MAM pacifiers and breastfed babies. They are meant for babies up to two months old and come in a pack of two.
Don’t worry; if your baby loves MAM pacifiers, they sell sets up to 18+ months!
In addition, the design of the MAM pacifiers make them popular amongst babies. They have a curved shield that gives your baby proper airflow along with air holes in the shield. These features make it easier for babies to suck and breathe at the same time.
That is to say, breastfed babies love the softness of this pacifier; it’s as soft as a mother’s nipple. It has a flatter design, which is what babies do to a mother’s breast.
Lastly, MAM added an anti-slip surface on the nipple to help them stay in your baby’s mouth, plus they’re incredibly lightweight.
3. Philips Avent Soothie Pacifier – Best Hospital Pacifier
Many hospitals offer the Philips Avent Soothie Pacifier. It’s soft and easy for babies to suck. The wide base makes them extremely safe, and they’re a silicone pacifier, using hospital-grade silicone.
- One-piece design
- Hospital-grade silicone
- Can be used for pacifier clips
- Safe for babies
- Babies get fingers stuck.
- Rigid
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If you’ve requested a pacifier in the hospital, there is a good chance you were handed a Soothie. They’re the pacifier of choice for hospitals for several reasons, such as:
- The wide base makes it impossible for babies to suck the entire pacifier into their mouths.
- It’s a one-piece design, so nothing will break off, leading to choking.
- Philips Avent uses hospital-grade silicone.
- The green color makes them easy to find.
- They’re BPA and latex free.
Parents usually like the Soothie pacifiers. To clarify, they’re compatible with most accessories, like pacifier clips and animal clip-ons.
Philips Avent sells these pacifiers in packs of 6, so you don’t have to worry about losing them.
4. NUK Silicone Orthodontic Pacifier – Best Orthodontic Pacifier
If your baby likes a pacifier a lot, then using the NUK orthodontic pacifier will help reduce any damage done to your baby’s mouth. In addition, the shape is designed to fit a baby’s palate naturally.
- Shape is ideal for baby’s mouth
- One-piece construction
- 100% Silicone
- Heavier design
- Squeaks when sucking
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At times, babies can develop pacifier mouth, and using an orthodontic pacifier reduces that risk. The NUK pacifiers are meant to help with proper dental development.
In addition, NUK uses a soft, silicone material that helps babies latch comfortably. The shield is heart-shaped, dipping right under your baby’s nose, which gives baby more room to breathe.
There are many things to love about the NUK pacifiers, but perhaps the best reason is that they’re made in the USA. We love supporting a USA-based company!
5. Bibs Natural Rubber Pacifier – Best Natural Rubber Pacifier
We love the classic design of the Bibs pacifier, but it has modern features that parents love. In addition, it’s made from natural rubber, which is soft and pliable, and it’s BPA, PVC, and phthalate free.
- Classic design
- Natural rubber feels like a breast
- Air holes stop skin rashes
- Might be too long for small babies.
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Rubber pacifiers aren’t as popular as in the past, but the Bibs Pacifier is utterly adorable!
Bibs crafted their pacifiers from natural rubber, which makes it feel more soft and pliable. That is to say, it feels similar to a mother’s breast.
In addition, the tip of the nipple has a rounded design that makes it feel more natural, encouraging babies to instinctively suck.
Don’t worry about the rubber! BIbs uses a natural rubber that is free from any toxins. It’s BPA, PVC, and phthalate free.
Lastly, for airflow and to reduce skin rashes, Bibs added three open holes around the shield for air circulation.
6. Ecopacifier Natural Pacifier – Best Organic Pacifier
It’s hard to find an organic, natural pacifier, but the Ecopacifier is the preferred choice because it’s made from 100% natural rubber sourced from the Hevea Basilliensis trees.
- Uses sustainably sourced rubber
- Soft and comfortable for baby
- Comes in two shapes – rounded and orthodontic
- Might be too long for baby’s mouth
- No cut-out for baby’s nose
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The Ecopacifier is meant for babies 0-6 months old. It’s one of the few rubber pacifiers made from naturally sourced trees. They’re free of any chemical softeners or colorants, along with being free of:
- BPA
- Phthalate
- PVC
- Parabens
You’ll find that these nipples are softer and natural when compared to artificial silicone. Many breastfed babies love the Ecopacifier because the texture closely resembles a mother’s nipple.
Lastly, the shield is rounded in a single-piece design that ensures no dirt is trapped inside of the nipple. Parents can purchase the Ecopacifier in two styles – rounded and orthodontic.
How to Pick the Best Pacifiers
Pacifiers come in a variety of sizes, shapes, and materials. It can be hard to decide what your baby will enjoy the most. To help your kids get used to the pacifiers, practice them eating with spoons first.
Here are some factors to consider when picking the safest pacifier for your baby.
1. Material of the Nipple
You can find pacifiers in a range of materials. A majority are made with silicone, which is a popular choice. Silicone is dishwasher safe, hypoallergenic, and soft.
Latex, or rubber, is often softer than silicone, but some babies have latex allergies. Rubber might have chemicals, so be sure to check the source of the material. You can also have some teething toys to chill a baby.
2. Age Range
Check out the package of the pacifier to let you know the ideal age range for the pacifier. Most pacifier brands offer the same pacifiers for different ages. Usually, it’s from 0-6, months, 6+ months, and 18+ months.
3. Air Flow
Pacifiers without holes around the shield can cause skin irritation due to wetness against the baby’s skin. Air flow holes in the shield promote air circulation and reduce skin irritation.
4. One or Two Piece Design
Pacifiers either come in one or two-piece designs. A one piece design means that everything is the same material and created together. Two piece designs usually mean that the nipple is attached to the shield.
Both are fine choices, but two piece designs can increase the risk of choking because they can come apart.
5. Size of the Shield
The size of the shield matters as well; it’s what stops your baby from sucking the pacifier fully into his mouth. That is a serious choking hazard.
6. Orthodontic or Not
Some parents prefer to give their babies orthodontic pacifiers. They help to ensure your baby’s mouth develops properly. Developing a pacifier mouth is a concern for some parents, so be sure to speak to your dentist if you think you are having trouble.
Frequently Asked Questions
When Should I Introduce a Pacifier?
If you breastfeed, you shouldn’t introduce a pacifier immediately. Doing so can cause nipple confusion, leading to your baby no longer latching to your breast. Instead, wait for several weeks to ensure breastfeeding is properly established before offering a baby pacifier. If you’re using formula, you can introduce a pacifier sooner. You do need to be careful because a hungry baby can pacify himself by sucking on the pacifier, when he really needs a bottle. Watch the clock to ensure your baby doesn’t go too long between feedings and that he is properly gaining weight.
Why Should I Introduce a Pacifier?
Many parents never introduce pacifiers, so it’s far from a requirement for parenting. However, the biggest advantage to using a pacifier is that it might save your child’s life – seriously.How does a pacifier save your child’s life?Studies show that babies who use a pacifier are less likely to die from SIDS. Some studies suggest that pacifiers decrease the risk of SIDS by over 50%. Although the reason behind that reduction isn’t definitive, we all can agree that it’s an awesome reason to use pacifiers.- A few other reasons include:- They help your baby fall asleep and stay asleep.- Pacifiers can be used to soothe during vaccinations.- Sucking on a pacifier helps to make babies feel comfortable while flying.
When Should A Pacifier Be Replaced?
Pacifiers do wear out over time, posing a safety risk for your child. You’ll need to replace them. Here are a few signs that it’s time to get new pacifiers for your child. – Nipple is tearing.- Parts are broken or loose. – Discoloration- Stickiness