Everything You Need To Know About Pacifiers
Sucking is a natural reflex, and your baby will love to suck on everything—his or her fingers, a nipple, and a pacifier. But when you’re thinking about pacifiers, you might have a bunch of questions: What type of pacifier should I get? Will a pacifier cause nipple confusion? Will it hurt my baby’s teeth? Are pacifiers beneficial?
Read on for these answers and more… plus pros and cons about different shapes, types, and brands of pacifiers.
Why use a pacifier?
Parents turn to pacifiers for a simple reason: they work. Pacifiers are helpful when trying to calm down a baby, soothe a crying baby, help a baby fall asleep, or even comfort a baby who is in pain. Often it makes sense to try other methods of soothing before turning to the pacifier—rocking, cuddling, singing, changing, burping, or feeding first. But if a pacifier is the only thing that works, go for it!
My baby doesn’t like the pacifier. Should I push it?
There is no “must-do” when it comes to pacifiers. You can choose to use one for your baby… or choose not to use one. If your baby doesn’t like the pacifier (say, she prefers her fingers or thumb, or he gets his sucking satisfaction from the nipple instead), there’s definitely no reason to force a pacifier on your baby. Try a pacifier if you want and then see if it works for your little one.
Does a pacifier reduce the risk of SIDS?
The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends you offer your baby the pacifier for sleep times as a way to reduce the risk of SIDS (sudden infant death). Research shows that pacifier use during sleep can reduce the risk of SIDS by up to 10%. By the way, though a pacifier can help reduce SIDS risk, there’s no need to return the pacifier to your baby’s mouth if he or she spits it out during sleep.
Will a pacifier cause nipple confusion?
Happily, using a pacifier will not cause nipple confusion in your baby. Pacifier usage will also not impact your ability to breastfeed successfully. The vast majority of babies have little difficulty going back and forth between the pacifier and mom’s nipples and multiple studies have debunked the nipple confusion theory, showing that discouraging pacifier use does not increase breastfeeding rates. So if you’re planning to offer a pacifier to your breastfed baby, don’t hesitate if it feels right for you—even from day one!
My baby needs the pacifier to sleep. Is that a bad habit?
If your baby needs the pacifier to fall asleep, it can become a sleep association—but that’s not necessarily a bad thing in this particular case. Though it might be considered a “negative” (or external) sleep association because the parent has to give the pacifier back to the baby when it falls out of his or her mouth, by a certain age, your baby will be able to replace the paci him/herself, so it then turns into a “positive” (or internal) sleep association. So most sleep experts would consider a pacifier to be somewhere in between an internal and external sleep association. And as long as it’s not necessary for you to be replacing the pacifier every hour throughout the night, the pacifier in and of itself is not a “bad” thing.
Bonus tip: I always recommend that parents keep multiple pacifiers in their baby’s crib. This way, if your little one loses the first one (say she flings it to where she can’t find it or it falls out of the crib), there’s always one within reach to easily pop back in without needing to call you for help.
When should I take the pacifier away?
Here’s my recommended plan of action: Beginning at 6 months old, limit pacifier use to only during sleep time. This is for two reasons: First, it’ll make the weaning-off-the-pacifier process down the road easier. Second, if your baby is plugged up all day with the pacifier, it’ll make communicating, cooing, socializing, and smiling—important skills that your little one needs to practice—much harder. Using the pacifier during sleep only will keep your baby’s mouth free during playtime and socializing time.
Then, aim to wean off the pacifier completely by age 2 (and definitely no later than age 3). That’s because prolonged use of a pacifier can have an impact on your child’s teeth.
For tips on how to do so, check out my Instagram post on weaning off the pacifier.
Which pacifier should I get for my baby?
With so many different pacifiers on the market, it’s easy to end up super overwhelmed. Here are a few options to choose from, with some information about each to help make the choice a little easier.
Phillips AVENT Soothie
Pros: Used in U.S. hospitals nationwide, the AVENT soothie is often the first pacifier your baby is introduced to. These pacifiers are one piece and adhere to AAP’s safety guidelines.The design won’t interfere with normal gum development, according to the manufacturer. You can find these in a ton of colors and even a few cute bear shapes (but don’t forget to also bring home a few free ones from the hospital!)
Cons: While this pacifier is a fan favorite, some parents say that their babies, who loved the first stage, struggled to graduate to the next developmentally appropriate size (resulting in parents using the 0-3 month pacifier for well beyond that age—something that’s not a problem unless the pacifier starts to show evidence of wear and tear after a while). Another potential con: These pacifiers are not super easy for little babies to grab onto on their own, leading to long nights of parents replacing the paci for their little ones.
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Tommee Tippee Breast-Like Pacifier
Pros: This pacifier is specifically designed with a soft silicone nipple that bends, stretches, and moves much like a mom’s nipple. One of the best parts about this pacifier is that it doesn’t have a wrong side so you can always place it correctly in baby’s mouth, something that’ll come in handy at 3:00 AM. It’s also designed with a specific curve that allows for air flow and prevents skin irritation.
Cons: The open bottom design may not be the best for curious babies who love the pacifier but also want to suck on their fingers. Little fingers can get caught in the open bottom, so be mindful of that when choosing this pacifier!
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The First Years Gumdrop Pacifier
Pros: This is a great pacifier for the newest little gumdrop in your life. This First Years product is also distributed in hospitals nationwide, so it’s often the first pacifier your little one is introduced to. With a simple but sleek one-piece design made of soft silicone, this pacifier is shaped to fit your baby’s mouth perfectly in her earliest days. Best for ages 0-3 months, it’s lightweight and easy for baby to handle. And it comes in quite a few colors.
Cons: These pacifiers are similar to the AVENT soothie but made of a different material—one that your baby may not love.
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Evenflo Feeding Balance Pacifier
Pros: This pacifier, developed with pediatric feeding specialists on the team, is designed with baby’s natural tongue position in mind. Because it aims to mimic the way a baby sucks on mom’s nipples, it helps baby work on healthy sucking skills, while also acting as a soother. Made with super soft silicone, this one-piece-design pacifier is lightweight, flexible, and comfortable for baby to hold.
Cons: Some parents may find this nipple to be a bit too long, resulting in their little ones gagging.
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Wubbanub Infant Pacifier
Pros: The mom who designed this pacifier understood two things. First, the Soothie pacifier is a fan favorite for babies up to 6 months old, and second, that having a pacifier that’s easy to grab is a real plus! The Wubbanub pacifier comes in many different designs and animals so you can choose your baby’s (or your) favorite friend to be with your cutie while providing soothing help. The stuffed animal lovey is attached to the AVENT Soothie, so check out more pros about this paci above!
Cons: One downside with this pacifier is that it’s attached to a stuffed animal, and when you need to clean the paci (all pacifiers get dirty, as do stuffed animals!) you’ll have to do a lot more than just run it under water. Plus, cleaning time may take a bit longer, so you may want to buy extras to have on hand (and these aren’t inexpensive!). Another thing to keep in mind: These pacifiers aren’t for sleep time—it’s unsafe to put anything stuffed or plush in the crib along with your baby in the first year—so you’ll still have to use another type of pacifier during sleep times.
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Chicco PhysioForma Pacifier
Pros: Designed with an advisory panel of neonatologists, pediatricians, and orthodontists, this pacifier has an inclined nipple shape that promotes proper mouth development. It’s made from 100% silicone and has an easy-to-grasp handle that allows baby easy maneuverability. This pacifier features a narrow base for extra flexibility and optimal lip closure, supporting teeth and palate development and also allowing baby to breathe easily.
Cons: Pacifiers are all about preference with babies, and not all babies like the unique shape of this nipple.
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Nanobebe Pacifier
Pros: This flexible pacifier is designed to mimic a mom’s nipples. The lightweight design helps to keep the pacifier in baby’s mouth. Bonus points for that fact that it’s one-piece, which meets the guidelines of the AAP.
Cons: Some parents find that the lightweight design makes it harder for babies to keep the paci in their mouths.
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Dr. Brown’s Happy Paci
Pros: Dr. Brown’s one-piece pacifier is made of a soft-lightweight silicone. The curved shape, described as a butterfly, sits away from baby’s face, allowing for easy breathing. Plus, this pacifier is dishwasher safe!
Cons: Like some other pacifiers, this one has a longer nipple, which may cause some babies to gag. As always, supervise your baby for the first few uses of the pacifier to see if it’s a good fit for your little one.
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Natrusutten Orthodonic Pacifier
Pros: The Natrusutten is a simple, yellow, one-piece pacifier that can be considered an old-school design. It’s made of a natural rubber that’s softer than silicone and is 100% BPA free. There are two different shaped nipples for your baby to choose from, one rounded and one orthodontic, both great for baby but designed to fit their preferred needs. This also comes in two different “shield” shapes, butterfly and rounded, again for baby’s (and your) personal preference!
Cons: Natural rubber has a strong scent and a different feel than other pacifiers, which may cause your baby to reject it. Plus, it’s not the cutest paci on the market.
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MAM Pacifier
Pros: Sure, some may consider this paci to be an old-school style because it’s not as sleek as many of the newer ones on the market, but there are still some great features to this binkie. There’s no “right-side up”, which means it’s easy for your baby to pop the paci back in. It’s also easy to clean, comes in cute designs and colors, and has a BPA-free silicone nipple that’s super comfortable for developing mouths.
Cons: Unlike many of the pacifiers on the market these days, this one is made of two different parts—plastic and silicone—making it easy for water to get trapped in between, potentially resulting in mold forming if you’re not careful.
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BOON Jewl Pacifier
Pros: One of the trendiest looking pacifiers on the market that also packs a punch when it comes to features (and awesome colors), the Boon Jewl pacifier sports a one-piece design. It’s called the Jewl because of its unique gem shaped nipple, which promotes proper tongue placement during sucking (at least according to the pediatric dentists who designed it). This pacifier is made of durable silicone that’s easy to clean.
Cons: Because the nipple is such a different shape from any other pacifier or nipple, your little one may not take to this as easily as another pacifier style.
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Ryan & Rose Cutie Pat
Pros: The Cutie Pat is another unique and one-of-a-kind design with some pretty cool features. If you’re looking for your baby’s pacifier to make a fashion statement, this paci comes in a bunch of amazing colors to match any adorable baby outfit. Plus, this pacifier does double duty—it’s a pacifier on one side and teething toy on the other. The soft nipple mimics the breastfeeding suck and the handle side has soft silicone beads that baby can munch down on, soothing sore teething gums. It’s an easy-to-grab pacifier that also attaches well to pacifier clips during the day.
Cons: This pacifier may turn into more of a teether or hand held toy instead of something that offers sucking comfort. As one of the more expensive pacifiers, you may want to skip this one unless you know for sure your baby would love it as a pacifier.
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