If you observe a sleeping infant, you may notice them moving their tongue as if sucking while they slumber. Newborns have a natural need to suck, it's part of their instinct to feed. The best pacifiers relieve parents and comfort infants, making everyone in the family happier.
How can you choose a safe pacifier that your baby will love? Discover tips on choosing the best pacifier for your baby's needs, our top 9 favorite infant pacifiers, and more.
Choosing A Safe Pacifier for Your Baby
The American Academy of Pediatrics offers helpful guidelines on choosing a safe pacifier for your infant. One important tip is to choose a one-piece design. This helps reduce the risk that a piece might fall off, creating a choking hazard.
Parents should also ensure baby can't put the whole pacifier in their mouth. The pacifier should include a safety shield that's 1.5 inches across to prevent this issue.
Another consideration is the materials. Natural latex pacifiers are a popular option. They are made from natural rubber harvested from trees. Another safe option is food or medical grade silicone.
No matter what you choose, be sure it's easy to clean. You can sanitize your baby's pacifier in your dishwasher or bottle sterilizer. Some pacifier brands recommend boiling the pacifier in hot water.
Also, check the recommendations for how long you can use the pacifier. Many pacifiers recommend replacement after about 2 months of use. While sucking on a pacifier, your baby can damage the material. Changing pacifiers often can prevent them from chewing off chunks.
The Top 9 Best Infant Pacifiers
Discover our favorite, safe infant pacifiers below.
1. The Best Pacifier Overall: MAM
MAM's silicone pacifiers for newborns are safe, adorable, and baby-approved. The lightweight design and soft silicone make it a favorite for infants. For newborns, the shape of this pacifier is perfect. Round designs may run into the baby's nose, but MAM's pacifier features a curve for a comfortable fit.
Don't worry which way you put the pacifier in baby's mouth. The MAM comfort features a symmetrical design.
Features:
- Won EU Product Safety Award in 2019
- One piece design
- Made of safe silicone, free of BPA and BPS
- Lighter than the average pacifier
- Comes with a sterilizer box you can use in the microwave
2. Most Stylish Pacifier: Mushie FRIGG
Adorable and functional, Mushie's line of FRIGG pacifiers is a favorite for parents and babies. Natural rubber is the perfect material for the nipple, a material that offers confidence. Choose from the wide array of gorgeous colors, and find the perfect match for your baby's outfit.
Features:
- Nipple made of natural rubber
- Free of BPA, BPS, PVC and phthalates
- Comes in many colors
- The outward curve keeps baby's face dry
- Cannot be used with bottle sterilizers or dishwashers
3. Pacifier with the Most Variety of Nipple Shapes: Ryan & Rose
This versatile pacifier also turns into a teether as your baby grows. Just turn it around and your baby can chew on the bumpy handle to soothe their gums.
Every baby has unique preferences. Find the nipple shape that suits your little one best from the selection. The slant nipple style is an orthodontic style, designed for optimal oral development. When shopping, remember to check the age recommendation to get the best fit.
Features:
- Choose the nipple shape your baby likes best
- Combined pacifier and teether
- One piece design
- Made of medical-grade silicone
- Comes in many colors
- Dishwasher safe
4. Best Natural Pacifier: Natursutten Pacifiers
Made of 100% natural rubber, Natursutten is a great choice for those who want a safe, natural material. Also, the pacifiers feature a one piece design. The one piece design prevents dirt or bacteria from accumulating in tiny cracks and crevices.
Choose from two nipple shapes, including an orthodontic option. Parents report that even breastfed babies love this soft, natural pacifier.
Features:
- One piece design
- Made of natural rubber
- Comes in 3 sizes
5. Best Night Time Pacifier: BIBS
Taking care of your baby in the middle of the night presents a challenge, but BIBS glow in the dark pacifier makes it easier! Easily find the pacifier and return it to your baby.
BIBS also offers a subscription option so you don't have to remember to order pacifiers. The program sends new pacifiers based on your preference every 6 weeks so you never run out.
Features:
- Choose from 3 nipple shapes
- Handle glows in the dark for easy nighttime care
- Nipple made of natural rubber
- Comes in many colors
- Cannot be sterilized with bottle sterilizers or dishwashers
6. Best Snuggle Pacifier: Philips Avent
Philips Avent Soothies come with a plush toy your baby can snuggle. The pacifier attaches to the plushie so it's easy to hold and find. The nipple features an orthodontic shape to support your baby's growing mouth.
Choose from eight adorable plushies. As your baby grows, you can attach any other Philips pacifier to the plushie.
Features:
- Orthodontic nipple shape
- One piece design
- Made of medical-grade silicone
- Choose the perfect plushie companion for your baby
- Dishwasher and bottle sterilizer safe
- Plushie easily separates for washing
7. Best Infant Pacifier with Stuffed Animal: Itzyritzy
Keep your baby's pacifier within reach with a cute animal friend. The plushie and pacifier comfort your baby and keep them content. Choose from five adorable plushie designs.
The pacifier is a one piece design made of silicone. This brand offers one nipple shape.
Features:
- One piece design
- Made of food-grade silicone
- BPA and PVC free
- Choose a cute plushie companion for your baby
- Dishwasher safe
8. Best Teether: Colored Organics
Some babies prefer a teether to a pacifier once they are able to grab and hold on to toys. This adorable teether is made of silicone and organic beech wood. Featuring an adorable design, this teether will keep your baby busy and happy in the car seat, at home, and out and about.
9. Best Pacifier for Breastfed Baby: Nanobebe
Nanobebe's pacifier is soft and comfortable for baby. The nipple shape is designed to mimic the mother's nipple, making it ideal for breastfed babies. A curved shape keeps the pacifier secure on yoru baby's mouth. Choose from several colors and two sizes.
Features:
- One piece design
- Made of food-grade silicone
- BPA free
- Won the Pop Sugar Award for Best Pacifier for Breastfed Babies
- Dishwasher safe
How to Introduce the Pacifier
Some babies take to the pacifier easily, while others don't. If your baby rejects the pacifier, try some of these tricks:
- Offer the pacifier after a feeding, switching it out right at the end.
- Try offering the pacifier when your baby is relaxed. Ensure your baby isn't hungry.
- Dip the pacifier in formula or breastmilk before offering it.
- Try different nipple shapes
A pacifier can comfort your baby, but it's not a favorite for all babies. To avoid nipple confusion, the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends introducing pacifiers to breastfed babies when they are 3 to 4 weeks old.
What About Orthodontic Pacifiers?
Orthodontic pacifiers are designed to prevent misaligned teeth and other oral issues as your baby grows. Look for the label "orthodontic" on the pacifier and in the nipple shape you select. However, orthodontists recommend toddlers stop using pacifiers by 3 years of age, no matter what type of pacifier they use.
Is it Safe for My Newborn to Sleep with a Pacifier?
Yes. Sleeping with a pacifier is not only safe, but it may help prevent Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS). According to experts, using a pacifier while sleeping may help babies control breathing or even prevent rolling over. Try offering a pacifier to your newborn as your baby falls alseep.
To ensure safety, always check pacifiers for cracks or damage before offering them to your newborn. Also, wash and sterilize them regularly. Always change pacifiers if they show signs of damage.
Sources
1. American Academy of Pediatrics
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