Pacifiers come in a variety of sizes and nipple shapes, including those that mimic a human nipple and orthodontic pacifiers designed to prevent future misalignment of teeth. It’s also important to get a one-piece model with a large enough mouth shield to prevent choking. “I would recommend a [pacifier that is] BPA-free, dishwasher safe and without pieces that can come off, posing a choking hazard," board-certified pediatrician Jen Trachtenberg, MD tells Verywell Family. We carefully considered her advice, plus design, materials, safety, and age recommendations when reviewing products. Still, babies will ultimately decide which pacifiers they like best, so it may take a bit of trial and error to find the right one for your child. Based on our research, these are the best pacifiers on the market today. This soft and lightweight binky is designed for babies newborn to 6 months. Made of 100% BPA-free silicone, the pacifier comes in two colors (blue and pink) and in two- and three-count packages. Bonus: It’s top-rack dishwasher safe, so it’s extra easy to keep clean. Price at time of publication: $5 WubbaNubs are connected to a Philips Avent Soothie, so you’ll get everything you love about the Soothie but with an added furry friend. These come in an endless array of animals like lobsters, unicorns, and more. This pacifier is suited for newborns until 6 months old or once they start getting teeth, which can damage the Soothie part of the pacifier. Technically speaking, the brand says that the entire product can be machine washed on gentle with an additional hand cleaning of the Soothie required. However, they suggest cleaning the plush and pacifier by hand if possible to preserve them. Price at time of publication: $18 This similarity will help reduce nipple confusion, allowing you to establish breastfeeding without having to wait too long to introduce the pacifier (which can reduce the likelihood that your baby will accept one). We also love that these silicone pacifiers are one piece, making them easy to clean and less likely to fall apart. Price at time of publication: $5 These top-rated orthodontic pacifiers come in packs of two, are very reasonably priced, and can be purchased in multiple colors. They’re durable, easy to handle, and easy to clean, too. The nipple is shaped similarly to the breast, which reduces nipple confusion. Price at time of publication: $11 Price at time of publication: $5 Price at time of publication: $12 This is a one-piece pacifier made of BPA-free, medical-grade silicone. And if the First Years GumDrop becomes your baby’s favorite, you’re in luck, since these come in larger sizes for older babies as well. Price at time of publication: $8 For families looking for a pacifier that’s easy to clean, check out the Nuk Comfy Orthodontic Pacifier. The pacifier’s shape resists moisture so it’s less likely to grow mold.
What To Look For When Shopping For Pacifiers
Age Recommendation
According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, babies are born with the instinct to suck, since that is how they will get food, which means that you can start offering a pacifier to your baby as soon as they are born. Offering a pacifier at nap and bedtime during their first year may even help reduce the risk of SIDS. Babies grow at a rapid pace, and a pacifier that works for a newborn will be too small for a 6-month-old. You’ll want to pay careful attention to pacifier packaging to ensure you’re getting the appropriate size for your baby. The pacifier’s base should have a soft nipple and be wide enough that your child cannot stick the whole thing in their mouth.
Nursing-Friendly Shape and Material
While you can introduce a pacifier to your baby as soon as they are born, the AAP recommends parents who are nursing wait until breastfeeding is “going well” first. “Nursing moms often feel more comfortable introducing a pacifier after the baby has gained back the weight [they’ve] lost since birth,” Dr. Trachtenberg tells Verywell Family, “which usually occurs by 2 weeks of age.” If you’re nursing and shopping for pacifiers, you’ll likely need to try a few options and be extra patient because there will be some trial and error. Look for pacifiers that have a soft, flexible nipple that will somewhat mold to the baby’s mouth. Orthodontic pacifiers are designed to flatten in a baby’s mouth, the way an actual nipple does while nursing, so a breastfed baby may prefer this style. With that said, many breastfed babies take rounded tip pacifiers just fine.
Design
When shopping for a pacifier, you’ll first want to consider which type of tip you think your baby would prefer. Unlike the aforementioned orthodontic pacifiers, traditional pacifiers have a rounded tip that tends to be a little easier for babies to suck on. A major benefit of orthodontic pacifiers is that they are ergonomically designed to support a baby’s mouth while the palate and jaw develop. They can also be a little harder for a newborn baby to grasp, which isn’t ideal for soothing. Alternatively, while they may not go as flat in the baby’s mouth like an orthodontic pacifier, rounded pacifiers are typically still flexible enough to get somewhat flat, though they do not offer the same ergonomic, developmental support. Another important aspect of the pacifier’s design is what it is made out of. For the most part, pacifiers are made from either silicone, natural rubber, or latex. Latex pacifiers are the softest and most flexible but are quicker to wear down (and eventually bite through). Pacifiers made from natural rubber are usually very durable and are a great option for parents who want baby products to be as free of synthetic chemicals as possible. They often have a higher price tag than other pacifiers, however. Finally, silicone pacifiers are durable while still being soft. You should also look at the overall construction of the pacifier, and opt for one that is one-piece rather than two because they are safer, according to the AAP. Additionally, doctors recommend thoroughly cleaning the pacifier frequently until the baby is at least 6 months old, and then still somewhat regularly, so pacifiers that are dishwasher safe are ideal.
Why Trust Verywell Family
Christin Perry has been writing for Verywell since October of 2018. Her work has also been published on Parents The Bump, The Knot, Qeepsake, LittleThings, Dwell, Scary Mommy, and more. If this isn’t working, then there is no reason not to try other materials and styles, and if the baby just won’t take a pacifier at all, the AAP says parents should not try to force it and instead explore other safe soothing options. Weaning between 6 and 12 months old may not be an option for your child, and that’s OK. The AAP notes that kids who are still using pacifiers (or sucking their thumbs) by the time they are between 2 and 4 years old are more likely to have issues with their mouth shape or teeth alignment. However, the AAP also says that as long as a child kicks the habit before their permanent teeth come in, their bite may still correct itself on its own without a need for orthodontics. Additional reporting by Ashley Ziegler. Ashley Ziegler is a staff and freelance writer who covers lifestyle, home, parenting, and commerce content for a variety of platforms. She’s a mom to 1-year-old and 4-year-old daughters and an aunt to 3 nieces and 2 nephews ranging from 5 to 11 years old. In addition to regularly scouring the internet to find the best things for herself, Ashley spends multiple hours a week researching, comparing, and writing about products specifically for kids and families.
