Some parents absolutely swear by them while others won’t even consider trying them. There seems to be a myth circulating out there that the use of pacifiers can negatively impact breastfeeding. However, observational studies actually show that pacifiers may very well help encourage better breastfeeding relationships between mother and child.
So, it is really about how you use the pacifier. You would never want to give your baby a pacifier instead of feeding them. Obviously, that is going to cause issues. Pacifiers can do wonders to comfort babies though and happy babies lead to more relaxed moms and dads. This more relaxed state for mom and happier mood for baby can certainly help aid in more successful breastfeeding.
Pacifiers can be great for babies that are breastfed or babies that are bottle-fed though. Babies are hard-wired to suckle. They do this for many reasons. The obvious one is to get milk, but they do it for more than that. Babies suckle for comfort, safety, and security. A pacifier can really help with these things for your baby. Plus, pacifiers have even been shown to decrease the risk of SIDS. So, they can definitely be well worth it!
Best Baby Pacifier
Pacifiers vary in many ways. There are different shapes, sizes, colors, and types of pacifiers. They are made with different materials in different ways. Some have orthodontic nipples, and some have more naturally-shaped nipples. Often times, parents may have trouble finding the right pacifier for their baby. Sometimes this ends up being a trial and error process as every baby is different and will react differently to different pacifiers. However, we hope that with our pacifier guide that you will have an easier time finding the perfect pacifier for your baby!
After hearing so many amazing things about the WubbaNub pacifier from so many different parents, it came as no surprise that it landed a top spot on our list. The WubbaNub is a very cleverly designed pacifier that is actually attached to a special little stuffed animal. For this reason, it is our choice for best baby soother pacifier.
The WubbaNub pacifier is the best baby soother pacifier because it is more than just a pacifier. The pacifier alone is amazing and soothes baby very well – as it is the Soothie pacifier from Phillips AVENT. However, there is also the added benefit of the adorable stuffed animal. The stuffed animal really increases the soothing abilities of the best baby soother pacifier. It gives your little one the ability to snuggle the stuffed animal as they suckle the pacifier. This provides a great deal of comfort to your baby. It also makes it easier to keep track of this pacifier as an added bonus!
The downfall here is that the pacifier itself can’t be removed from the stuffed animal. It is sewn in. This is a problem for a couple of reasons. First of all, when it is time to replace the pacifier, you will have to replace the whole thing instead of just the pacifier.
Medical Grade Silicone
One of the most important features is the high-quality materials that it is made of. The pacifier itself is made out of medical grade silicone. This helps ensure safety and quality. For even more added safety and to help give you peace of mind, the best baby soother pacifier is also PVC-free, BPA-free, latex-free, and phthalate-free!
This is a more expensive option compared to most other options, so replacing it regularly could get costly. It also makes it slightly more difficult to clean, although following the instructions to clean it isn’t terribly complicated – just slightly harder than cleaning a pacifier that isn’t sewn into a stuffed animal.
Medical grade silicone is durable and safe for your baby
Free of potentially dangerous substances like phthalates, BPA, PVC, and even latex
Soothie pacifier design is widely accepted by most babies including breastfed babies
CONS:
Most expensive option
Pacifier is sewn into the stuffed animal, so the whole thing must be replaced when the pacifier needs to be replaced
If you are looking for more than just your run-of-the-mill pacifier, this option might be for you. This adorable pacifier is actually sewn into a sweet little stuffed animal. This gives your baby something to hold onto and cuddle as they suckle. This provides ample comfort beyond just suckling alone. It also makes it harder to lose the best baby soother pacifier! If you’re willing to pay a little more for this pacifier, it is definitely a worthwhile option that can do wonders to help soothe your baby!
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Philips AVENT Freeflow Pacifier – Best Overall Pacifier
Phillips AVENT brand pacifiers have made it onto our best pacifier list an impressive 3 different times. This great Freeflow pacifier, the previously mentioned WubbaNub pacifier, and the Soothie pacifier farther down the list are all Philips AVENT brand. They are all wonderful, high-quality pacifiers. In fact, this Freeflow Pacifier is our choice for the best overall pacifier!
The thing that we love about the Philips AVENT Freeflow Pacifier over the other Philips AVENT options is that this is an orthodontic pacifier! The nipple of this pacifier is specially designed to be orthodontic. What this means is that it has a special shape to it that prevents it from being a possible cause of developmental issues when it comes to the teeth and jaws of your baby. It is perfectly designed to promote proper oral development instead.
The downside here compared to many of the other pacifier options is that it is not made with a one-piece design. The bad thing about that is simply that pacifiers made of more than one component tend to need to be replaced more often because they have cracks and crevices that can harbor germs and bacteria.
Extra Airflow
One of the cool features about this pacifier is that it has extra airflow built-in. All around the shield piece of this pacifier, there are small holes. This facilitates air flowing through them. The extra airflow increases the comfort by reducing sweating and increasing breathability.
As an added bonus, this pacifier from Philips AVENT also comes with a snap-on hygienic cap. This hygienic cap is the perfect, easy way to protect the nipple of the pacifier when your baby isn’t using it. It is an easy way to keep it from getting dirty or contaminated in the diaper bag or just sitting the house. It keeps the nipple protected and clean!
PROS:
Orthodontic nipple helps to promote healthy oral development for your baby
Puller ring on the front of the pacifier is a perfect way for you or your baby to hold onto the pacifier or the perfect place to attach a pacifier clip
2-pack helps ensure that you always have a spare pacifier in case the first gets lost or dirty
Airflow holes ensure breathability and help reduce sweating and increase comfort
Snap-on hygienic cap is easy to use and helps keep it clean and ready to use
CONS:
Multiple piece design means that this pacifier will need to be replaced more often to ensure that it stays sanitary and hygienic
There are a lot of reasons to love this option. It was a very easy choice when putting together our guide. There are tons of amazing features like the puller ring, snap-on cap, orthodontic nipple, and extra airflow features.
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MAM Mini-Air Orthodontic Pacifier – Best Newborn Pacifier
MAM is another incredible brand of baby products that produces innovative and high-quality pacifiers! This particular pacifier is the MAM Mini-Air Orthodontic pacifier and is our choice for the best newborn pacifier.
The biggest thing about this MAM pacifier that has made us give it the title of best newborn pacifier is its size! This adorable pacifier has a shield that is actually considerably smaller than the average pacifier shield. This not only gives it a super cute appearance but also makes it more comfortable and convenient for little babies like newborns to use. You can use the best newborn pacifier from birth all the way up to 6 months of age!
The best newborn pacifier also features an orthodontic nipple. This can give you peace of mind, so that you don’t need to worry about your baby’s oral development when they use their pacifier.
Sterilization Case
As a really great bonus feature, the best newborn pacifier comes in a 2-pack that is actually packaged within a handy sterilization case. The case provides somewhere easy for you to store your baby’s pacifiers as well as a great way to sterilize them. All you need to do to use the case to sterilize the pacifiers is fill the bottom with water and put it in the microwave. The best newborn pacifier comes with easy instructions on how to do this. Remember to also wait to give your baby the pacifier until a few minutes after sterilizing it – just to make sure that it is cooled down to a safe and comfortable temperature.
Like the other orthodontic pacifier options, this is not made with a one-piece design. Since there are multiple pieces, there are cracks and crevices where bacteria can be harbored. With this pacifier, water often gets into the nipple during cleaning or sterilization. It can removed by squeezing it gently out, but can cause issues over time and be inconvenient.
PROS:
Smaller size is ideal for newborn babies and smaller babies in general but also works for babies up to 6 months old
Orthodontic nipple of the best newborn pacifier helps to promote healthy oral development
Comes with a special sterilization case that can be used to store the best newborn pacifier and to sterilize it
Open pacifier shield provides optimal airflow for good breathability and comfort for your baby
CONS:
Multiple-piece design allows water to enter the pacifier nipple and leads to it needing to be replaced more often
The best newborn pacifier from MAM is an amazing choice of orthodontic pacifier that is perfect for your newborn baby! Not only is it a great pacifier though, but its smaller shape increases comfort and convenience for small babies like newborns. It even comes with an open shield and a special case perfect for both storing and sterilization!
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Philips AVENT Soothie Pacifier – Best Pacifier for Breastfed Babies
Here is our third Philips AVENT brand choice! This is the Philips AVENT Soothie Pacifier and it is one of the most popular choices of pacifiers today. We specifically chose the Soothie pacifier as the best option for breastfed babies. Many breastfeeding families swear by this incredible pacifier!
This option is not orthodontic, but instead has a more natural shape to it. This helps it feel more like mom for your baby. These pacifiers are wonderful for breastfed babies but they are also a great choice for bottle-fed babies. In fact, these Soothie pacifiers are a top choice amongst hospitals for distributing to babies.
The main thing that tends to be a problem with this pacifier option is the design of the pacifier shield. It is an unusually large shield for a pacifier and is actually a full circle. In other words, there is no cut-out area for your baby’s nose. Most babies don’t seem to have a problem with this, but some parents worry that these pacifiers could limit proper ventilation for their baby’s breathing.
One-Piece Design
Our favorite feature is the one-piece design. This is a fantastic feature for a pacifier to have. It means the entire pacifier only consists of one solid piece of medical-grade silicone. This prevents there from being anywhere for bacteria to collect and remain over time. It is super easy to very effectively wash.
This is a more expensive option, so replacing it regularly could get costly. It also makes it slightly more difficult to clean, although following the instructions to clean it isn’t terribly complicated – just slightly harder than cleaning a pacifier that isn’t sewn into a stuffed animal.
PROS:
One-piece construction makes cleaning easy and allows this pacifier to be replaced less often
Natural nipple shape is more easily accepted by babies including being easily accepted by breastfed babies
Medical-grade silicone is durable and safe for your baby
Free of both BPA and latex for added peace of mind
CONS:
Large, circular shield can somewhat block baby’s nose
Nipple is not orthodontic
If you are breastfeeding or planning to breastfeed, you may be having trouble with or be worried about finding a pacifier that your baby will accept. Fortunately, thanks to the Soothie pacifier, you are much more likely to get your little one to accept a pacifier. It has a high acceptance rate as well as some nice features like the one-piece construction, natural nipple shape, and medical-grade silicone.
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NUK Puller Orthodontic Pacifier – Best Orthodontic Pacifier
The Nuk Puller Orthodontic Pacifier is our choice for the best orthodontic pacifier. This fantastic orthodontic pacifier has incredible value and lots of wonderful features. It is an ideal option if you are after a great pacifier choice that will help protect the proper oral development of your baby.
One of the big reasons that we actually chose this NUK pacifier as the best orthodontic pacifier is because of the age range. The age range for this particular pacifier is actually 6 months to 18 months. For most babies, most of their teeth emerge and come in during that period of time. That means it is the most important time in your baby’s life that you may want to have the orthodontic pacifier. Before their teeth start coming in, the orthodontic nipple isn’t really all that important.
Most of the pacifiers we reviewed come in 2-packs, but the value of this option is extra high since it actually comes with 3 pacifiers in one pack!
Attached Puller Rings
The best orthodontic pacifier features a great puller ring that is attached. We like this visually because it gives it that adorable classic pacifier look. It isn’t just cute, though! It gives your little one the perfect place to grab the pacifier to easily hold onto it. This can help them hold onto it when they aren’t using it and to get it into their mouth easier when they are ready to use it. It also gives you the perfect easy place to put a pacifier clip!
With this being a pacifier for older babies (6-18 months), it, of course, won’t be a good choice to use from birth. The only other downfall is simply that it is not made with one-piece construction. That just means that it will need to be replaced a little more often.
PROS:
Puller rings are cute, give your baby somewhere to hold onto, and give you somewhere to easily attach a pacifier clip
3-pack provides multiple back-ups in case one or two of the pacifiers are missing or dirty at any particular time
Orthodontic nipple helps protect healthy oral development as new teeth emerge over 6 to 18 months of age
Heart-shaped shield keeps the best orthodontic pacifier away from your baby’s nose and allows them to breathe clearly
CONS:
Not designed for use from birth
Multiple-piece design needs to be replaced more often
If you are looking for more than just your run-of-the-mill pacifier, the best baby soother pacifier might be for you. This adorable pacifier is actually sewn into a sweet little stuffed animal. This gives your baby something to hold onto and cuddle as they suckle. This provides ample comfort beyond just suckling alone. It also makes it harder to lose the best baby soother pacifier! If you’re willing to pay a little more for this pacifier, it is definitely a worthwhile option that can do wonders to help soothe your baby!
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MAM Glow in the Dark Night Orthodontic Pacifier – Best Glow in the Dark Pacifier
Glow in the dark pacifiers have become a very popular option thanks to their benefits as night time pacifiers. So, we wanted to make sure to include the best glow in the dark pacifier. We looked through a ton of different options and had no trouble settling on the MAM Glow in the Dark Night Orthodontic Pacifier as our choice for best glow in the dark pacifier!
The large button on the front of this pacifier is the part of the pacifier that glows in the dark. It glows plenty bright enough to help you or even your baby spot it in the middle of the night but isn’t so bright that it will disturb your sweet sleeping baby. If your baby drops their pacifier in the middle of the night, they can quickly find it. Alternatively, if they’re upset and you need to go to them in the night, you won’t have any trouble finding it either. You won’t need to turn the lights on and further disturb your baby just to find their pacifier thanks to this nifty option.
The best glow in the dark pacifier also has a wonderfully designed pacifier shield like most MAM pacifiers. This one is round in shape but does not block your baby’s nose at all. It also has lots of little holes throughout it for proper ventilation and easy breathing. There is even slight texture on the inside of the shield that further prevents irritation and helps increase your baby’s comfort.
SkinSoft Silicone Nipple
One thing that we really love about this option is the SkinSoft silicone nipple! The nipple has a special soft and silky texture to it. This helps it feel more like actual skin and therefore more like the real deal. This increases the acceptance rate.. The nipple is also orthodontic, so you don’t have to worry about any possible negative impacts it could have on your baby’s oral development. It actually does a great job at promoting proper oral development for your baby!
The only thing that may be of some concern for some parents is the multiple-piece design. This tends to be the same problem for all pacifiers that are not made with a one-piece design. With multiple pieces coming together, there are cracks and crevices that can collect bacteria over time even with regular cleaning. You will simply want to replace these pacifiers a little more often than you would replace one-piece pacifiers.
PROS:
Textured surface and multiple air holes provide good air circulation and prevent irritation and discomfort
Silky soft SkinSoft silicone of the nipple better replicates mom and helps soothe your baby better
Glow in the dark button allows you to easily find the pacifier even at night with the lights off
Included sterilization case gives you an easy way to store and sterilize your pacifier
The glow in the dark button on the front of the pacifier gives your baby an easy place to hold
CONS:
Multiple-piece design will require more often replacing than the one-piece pacifier options
If you have been trying to find the perfect night time pacifier for your little one, look no further! This pacifier is an incredible choice with lots of benefits. First off, its large button glows in the dark to make it super easy to find at night. Additionally, it comes with a sterilization case, an orthodontic nipple, cute designs, and plenty of air circulation!
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The First Years GumDrop Newborn Pacifier – Best Silicone Pacifier
The best silicone pacifier is hands-down The First Years GumDrop pacifier! The GumDrop pacifier, just like the Soothie pacifier from Philips AVENT is one of the pacifiers that is trusted and distributed by hospitals nationwide!
We chose the GumDrop pacifier as the best silicone pacifier for several reasons. It is one of the options on our guide that is made using a one-piece design. So, the entire GumDrop pacifier is made of one, single, solid piece of high-quality silicone. This helps prevent germs or bacteria from collecting in cracks and crevices.
So, it is easier to keep clean and usually lasts a good bit longer before it would become necessary to replace it. The high-quality silicone that the best silicone pacifier is made of is also free of potentially dangerous substances. It is BPA-free, phthalate-free, and latex-free.
Unlike the Soothie pacifier, the best silicone pacifier does not have a full circle as the pacifier shield. Instead, it has more of a classic pacifier shape. The shield has a shape similar to a heart to make sure that it doesn’t block your baby’s nose at all. This ensures that your baby can still breathe well.
Attached Puller
Another thing that is great about the best silicone pacifier is that it has an attached puller. There is a small piece of silicone that sticks out from the back of the best silicone pacifier. It gives both you and your baby a super convenient way to hold onto the best silicone pacifier. The other really great thing about this puller, which is another thing that is different about the best silicone pacifier compared to the Soothie pacifier, is there is a small hole in it. This hole in the pacifier puller is the perfect place for you to easily attach a pacifier clip if you so desire.
The only real downfall that we could find of the best silicone pacifier is that it does not have an orthodontic nipple. While this is a factor that helps more babies accept the best silicone pacifier more easily, it can be a cause of concern for some parents. Overtime, there is a chance that the natural nipple shape of this pacifier will cause problems with proper oral development.
PROS:
One-piece design is much easier to clean and tends to last longer without needing to be replaced as often
High-quality silicone construction is durable, BPA-free, phthalate-free, and latex-free
Heart-shape design keeps the pacifier shield out of the way of your baby’s nose so that they can still breathe easily
Hole in the pacifier puller provides the perfect place for you to attach a pacifier clip
CONS:
Natural shaped nipple is not orthodontic and therefore could potentially cause some issues with oral development down the line
The best silicone pacifier is a really great pacifier option. It is made with one-piece construction, so it is easy to clean and lasts longer. It’s also got a natural nipple shape, is BPA-free, phthalate-free, and latex-free!
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Nuby Silicone Teethe-eez Teether – Best Teething Pacifier
Teething pacifiers are a lot different than regular pacifiers. They have a lot of unique benefits. So, in most cases, you would want to get some of each. Teething pacifiers don’t typically have a nipple to suck on like a regular pacifier. Instead, they have something on them specifically designed to chew on.
The best teething pacifier has a super cute fish-shape to it. The handle – similar to a puller on a regular pacifier – is the fish’s body and the tail is the main teething part. Although, the entire thing is designed to be able to be safely gnawed on by your teething baby. The cool thing about it this is that there are multiple surfaces for your baby to teethe on. This gives your baby variety and allows them to play around to see what works best for them. The main part of teether – the fish tail – is covered in tiny silicone bristles which seems to be really helpful for a lot of babies when teething.
Of course, while we did want to include this on our best pacifier list, it is important to understand that it is actually quite different than a regular pacifier. It is not for suckling on and it won’t provide comfort in the same way that suckling does. It is for helping to relieve teething pain.
Hygienic Carrying Case
A favorite feature of ours when it comes to the best teething pacifier is the included carrying case! Very few, if any other, teething pacifiers actually come with a case. Nuby made sure to include one because it is ridiculously helpful! It is the perfect way to always have a nice and clean teething pacifier ready to go for your sweet baby.
Our choice for the best teething pacifier is the Nuby Silicone Teethe-ee Teether pacifier.
PROS:
Multiple teething surfaces allow your baby to chew on all parts of the best teething pacifier
Best teething pacifier is made out of soft but durable silicone that is both safe and comfortable
Easy-to-hold handle is the perfect size for your baby to easily grip the best teething pacifier
Included carrying case is the perfect way to safely store the best teething pacifier to keep it safe and clean
CONS:
Not a regular pacifier, so it will not provide suckling comfort
The best teething pacifier is not a normal pacifier. It is not made to provide suckling comfort like the other pacifiers. However, it is a fantastic for how to relieve teething pain for your baby. It is safe, durable, and does wonders when it comes to helping new teeth emerge and massaging sore gums.
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Dr. Brown’s One-Piece Silicone Pacifier – Best One-Piece Pacifier
Since there are so many great benefits to one-piece pacifiers, we made sure to find the very best one-piece pacifier to include in our guide. Dr. Brown’s is actually a super popular brand of baby products that is specifically known for its amazing bottles. As it turns out, they make great pacifiers too! Our choice for the best one-piece pacifier is the Dr. Brown’s One-Piece Silicone Pacifier!
The best one-piece pacifier from Dr. Brown’s is made of medical-grade silicone. This is fantastic because it can really give you peace of mind knowing that the material your baby’s pacifier is made of is completely safe for them. It is also BPA-free! The best one-piece pacifier is made of one, solid piece of the medical-grade silicone. So, it is super easy to wash, too! In fact, it is actually dishwasher-safe if you prefer the ease of washing that way!
There is one small flaw with the way that the best one-piece pacifier is advertised. It is advertised as being good to use from birth. However, many parents find that the nipple on this pacifier is actually too long for newborn babies.
Butterfly-Shaped Shield
The best one-piece pacifier has a unique butterfly-shape to the shield. We love this for a few different reasons. The most obvious reason is that it is super cute! The butterfly look is adorable and very unique. However, it has more benefits than that. The butterfly shape actually curves slightly away from your baby’s face. This not only gives plenty of room for your baby’s nose but also for their adorable little cheeks! In other words, it helps provide optimal comfort for your baby!
Some newborns may gag on a nipple that is too long and won’t be able to really use it for suckling. So, you may want to consider waiting to use this pacifier until a month or two after your baby is born.
PROS:
Butterfly-shaped shield curves away from your baby’s face to give plenty of room for your baby’s nose and cheeks
One-piece design is super easy to clean and lasts longer without needing to be replaced
3-pack gives the best one-piece pacifier one of the highest overall values
Hole on the pacifier puller is the perfect way to easily attach a pacifier clip to the best one-piece pacifier
CONS:
Longer than average nipple is not good for newborns even though the best one-piece pacifier is rated for 0+ months
The Dr. Brown’s pacifier is an incredible pacifier choice. It is our choice for best one-piece pacifier for several reasons and is a very high-value pacifier. It is widely accepted by breastfed babies and bottle-fed babies. It is super easy to clean and absolutely adorable!
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Tommee Tippee Closer to Nature Night Pacifier – Best Toddler Pacifier
Pacifiers are often seen as just for babies, but that just isn’t the case. Many times, children will continue to use a pacifier for years into toddlerhood. It provides great comfort to many children even as toddlers. That is why we wanted to make sure not to leave toddler parents out of the best pacifier list. So, our choice for the best toddler pacifier comes from the wonderful brand Tommee Tippee!
The best toddler pacifier is rated for children 18 months to 36 months old! So, it’s the perfect pacifier for the toddler years! It is slightly larger than the average pacifier to help it to more comfortably and safely fit well within a toddler’s mouth compared to a baby’s mouth. Your toddler will love having a pacifier fit for them!
Just like the previously mentioned MAM Night Orthodontic Pacifier, the best toddler pacifier actually glows in the dark! This is a fantastic feature for the best toddler pacifier to have because it makes it easy for your toddler to find their pacifier when they wake up in the night in case it falls out of their mouth while they are sleeping. This makes it easier for them to get back to sleep comfortably and quickly!
Symmetrical Orthodontic Nipple
Most orthodontic pacifiers have nipples that are asymmetrical. A lot of companies find this asymmetrical design to be the best way to support oral development. However, Tommee Tippee has developed this great option that is both orthodontic and symmetrical. It will help to support proper oral development, but thanks to the symmetrical design, it is much easier for your child to get into their mouth all on their own. In other words, it can’t accidentally end up upside down!
Just like the other pacifiers that are made with multiple pieces, there is the problem of this pacifier having lots of cracks and crevices for bacteria to collect. That simply means that you will need to replace it regularly to ensure that it stays safe and healthy for your child. Water also tends to collect in the nipple of this pacifier when cleaned, but it is easy to squeeze right out.
PROS:
Larger size is perfect for toddlers aged 18 months to 36 months
Glow in the dark feature helps you or your child to easily find the pacifier in the night time without having to turn the lights on
Curved shield does not block your child’s nose and provides optimal comfort
Symmetrical and orthodontic nipple promotes optimal oral development without making it more complicated for your child to get the pacifier in their mouth properly
CONS:
Multiple-piece design tends to collect bacteria and needs to be replaced more often
Water collects in the nipple of the best toddler pacifier during cleaning
If you are looking for a pacifier for your child past the baby stage, this is the perfect option! It has a nice, larger size that makes it the best toddler pacifier! It is also made to be super comfortable, easy to find, and promotes proper oral development – which is especially important for toddlers!
Best Pacifier Buying Guide
While pacifiers aren’t for everyone, we have found that they actually have tons of wonderful benefits that are completely worthwhile, I suggest you read Pacifier & thumb sucking by Osama Arafa.
However, it is still an important decision that each family will need to make on their own. If you do want to use pacifiers with your baby, we hope that this list and buying guide will make it a little easier for you.
Every mother want to protect her baby from any kind of harmful germs. You may want to read more about The Best Bottle Sterilizers to keep your baby’s bottles sterile and safe.
Things to Consider Before Buying a Pacifier
Like many products – especially baby products it seems – the options are endless when it comes to pacifiers. With so many choices out there, it can be hard to weed through them all and find the best pacifier for your family. Below, you will find some specific things to consider to help you make a decision about what pacifier is best for your child.
Age Range
So, the first thing you want to think about when choosing a pacifier for your baby is the age range of the pacifier. Are you pregnant and planning to use a pacifier from the get-go? If so, make sure to choose a pacifier approved for use with newborns. Are you trying to introduce a pacifier to your older baby or just find a new option for them? If so, make sure you get one that is appropriate for your baby’s specific age such as 3 months and up or 6 months and up. Perhaps you are looking for the best toddler pacifier – there are options for that too!
Nipple Type
Pacifier nipple types can make a big impact, so you should definitely consider them carefully. There are two main types of pacifier nipples. You can get a pacifier with an orthodontic nipple or you can choose a pacifier with a more natural nipple.
The orthodontic nipple is specifically designed to protect your baby’s oral development. However, the natural nipple is often more easily accepted by more babies. You should also keep in mind that natural nipple pacifiers are more often one-piece pacifiers. This can be important because one-piece pacifiers tend to last longer and are much easier to clean.
Price
Pacifiers certainly vary in cost a good bit. The price variables aren’t as crazy as a lot of products out there, but it is still definitely worth considering. If you choose a much more expensive pacifier and it ends up being your baby’s favorite, you might break the bank with the amount of times you end up needing to replace it over time. So, think about what your budget will be over time as you need to replace your baby’s pacifier.
Extra Features
Finally, consider what extra features may be important to you. Some examples of good extra features are a good place to put a pacifier clip or a puller that makes it easier to hold onto the pacifier. Some pacifiers come with cases and some even come with cases that double as sterilization containers. There are also special pacifiers like the WubbaNub that actually come with an attached stuffed animal. These are all things to think about to help you choose the best option for your baby.
FAQ about Pacifiers for baby
Are pacifiers bad for babies?
No, pacifiers are not inherently bad for babies. There are always pros and cons for anything. The only real thing to worry about with pacifiers is that some pacifiers could negatively impact the way your baby’s teeth come in. This isn’t always a problem, but you can always choose an orthodontic option if you are very worried about it.
Are pacifiers safe?
Yes, pacifiers are certainly safe for babies. However, you should keep in mind that you need to follow recommendations and guidelines of the manufacturer. That is true with all baby products in order to ensure safety. Pacifiers need to be replaced every so often. Refer to the guidelines of the manufacturer of your pacifiers to help you decide when to replace them.
Are pacifiers good for teething?
There isn’t a straightforward answer for this question. Sucking on a regular pacifier won’t do anything for teething directly. However, sucking can be very comforting for a baby in general. If your baby is chewing on their regular pacifier – which is perfectly likely during teething, then issues can arise. Most pacifiers are not designed to be chewed on and this overtime, can cause damage to them which could be dangerous for your baby.
Always dispose of any pacifiers that have any kind of damage. If this is becoming a problem, a teething pacifier like the one chosen above for best teething pacifier, can be the perfect solution. They are actually designed with teething in mind so they are more durable and provide your baby’s gums with gentle massage as they chew away on them.
Are pacifiers ok for breastfeeding babies?
Contrary to popular beliefs, studies actually show that pacifiers are just fine to use for breastfed babies. In fact, there was no difference shown in breastfed infants that did use a pacifier and breastfed infants that didn’t use a pacifier. The only thing that could really cause issues with breastfeeding in regard to a pacifier is the way you use it.
You shouldn’t be giving a pacifier to your baby when they are hungry, but only when they are well-fed but still need comfort from suckling. Otherwise, them suckling on the pacifier could take the place of a feed and reduce your milk supply and leave baby with a lack of important nutrients.
Are pacifiers ok for newborns to sleep with?
Absolutely! In fact, pacifiers are one of the only things that a newborn baby should sleep with. Studies have found that when babies sleep with pacifiers that they are considerably less likely to fall victim to SIDS or Sudden Infant Death Syndrome. So, it isn’t just okay for newborns to sleep with a pacifier, but it is actually strongly encouraged. It can have serious benefits and even could help play a role in your baby’s survival.
So, all in all, pacifiers seem to have a lot of wonderful benefits and very few drawbacks. Choosing the best pacifier for your family could prove to be a wonderful decision that saves you a lot of trouble. Pacifiers can be an easy and quick way to comfort your baby in a variety of situations. They seem to be an especially helpful way to get your baby to sleep and help them stay asleep. We hope that our top ten pacifier reviews and pacifier buying guide have been of some help to you in your journey to find the best pacifier for your baby and your family!
