Best Pacifiers to Buy in 2023

As a parent of a newborn, you might be struggling hard to get that peaceful sleep at night because probably your baby cries a lot. Sometimes, it can be quite irritating if the cries of your baby stop you from enjoying your food correctly or talking to a close friend after a long time.  If that’s the kind of issue you are facing, then it is time to consider purchasing the best infant pacifier for your baby.

A newborn pacifier that stays in the mouth can be a very essential item if you have that fussy baby. Through this article, we will list out some of the top 10 best pacifiers that you can consider buying for your baby.

Be assured that we have done enough research before listing out these excellent newborn pacifiers for you, and of course, our reviews are based on customers’ feedback. Also, we will discuss the different varieties of the best pacifiers for infants that are available on the market. We have also provided a fantastic buying guide for you which you will find quite useful.

So, without any further delay, let’s get started.

Are Pacifiers Harmful to Baby’s Teeth?

Many dentists associate improper growing mouths and uneven tooth development, and many other oral issues with pacifiers. The excessive use of pacifiers can even lead to crooked teeth, bite problems, and abnormal tooth alignment.

It’s crucial to wean off the use of pacifiers by the age of two.  Most of the issues mentioned above can be avoided if done so. As mentioned before, the end of a baby’s first year is ideal for weaning off the pacifier. It only gets difficult to break the habit in young toddlers, especially when you have more important tasks like potty training at hand.

Our top picks	Products
Best pacifier for newborns	Philips Avent Soothie Pacifier
Best pacifier for breastfed babies	Evenflo Feeding Balance Pacifier
Best pacifier for a preemie	Philips Clear Preemie Pacifier
Best pacifier for a tongue-tied baby	WubbaNub Brown Monkey Pacifier
Best pacifier for teething babies	RaZbaby RaZberry Silicone Baby Teether Toy
Best pacifiers for toddlers	NUK Orthodontic Pacifier
Best natural pacifiers	BIBS BPA-Free Natural Rubber Baby Pacifier
Best pacifiers for bottle-fed babies	Dr Brown’s HappyPaci Silicone Pacifier

What Is The Best Pacifier for Different Babies?

In the below section, we will review some of the best pacifiers for babies based on various factors.

1. Best Pacifier for Newborn: Philips Avent Soothie Pacifier

Why we love it

What is the best pacifier for a newborn? Among the best pacifiers for newborns, the first one is Philips Avent Soothie Pacifier which is a BPA-free certified newborn pacifier. It is latex-free and can be easily sterilized. Also, this best newborn pacifier offers excellent durability.

Additional specs

• Recommended by pediatricians and doctors
• One-piece best binky for newborn
• Orthodontic pacifiers
• High-quality silicone of hospital grade

What other moms say

I am so pleased with the quality of this best pacifier for newborn breastfed baby. I must say that these best newborn pacifiers proved to be so beneficial for my baby. My little son is quite fussy, during his initial years, I could not even sleep properly, but this newborn pacifier is just excellent.

– Rinkin

2. Best Pacifier for Breastfed Baby: Evenflo Feeding Balance Pacifier

Why we love it

What is the best pacifier for breastfed babies? This Evenflo pacifier is one of the best pacifiers for breastfeeding newborn babies; it will help to calm down your baby, which comes in an ergonomic design that can be cleaned conveniently.

Made up of silicone, it is a BPA-free binky, so very safe to use.

What other moms say

I will highly recommend this best pacifiers for breastfed babies. I love this pacifier. It is effortless to sanitize this popular pacifier. The best part is that it is BPA-free, so I don’t need to worry about the safety of my child.

-Lucy

Additional specs

• Lightweight popular pacifiers
• Made up of silicone, safe for babies
• Cylindrical in shape

3. Best Pacifiers For Preemies: Philips Clear Preemie Pacifier

Why we love it

If your baby is quite fussy, then you should consider buying this best infant soother as it is one of the best pacifiers for newborns. It will soothe and calm down your newborn. This popular pacifier is designed to ensure it perfectly fits into your baby’s mouth, so the size is not too large and not too small.

What other moms say

This best binkies work perfectly for my newborn. My little daughter was born premature, but this pacifier is so helpful, she falls asleep peacefully. This is the best newborn pacifier for breastfed.

– Sasha

Additional specs

• Best for soothing babies
• Supports sucking behavior in newborns

4. Best Pacifier For Tongue Tie: WubbaNub Brown Monkey Pacifier

Why we love it

WubbaNub Brown Monkey Pacifier is one of the best pacifiers for tongue tied babies; it looks adorable and offers high durability. Your child will be able to play and suckle at the same time. So, overall it’s going to be an entertaining experience for your baby.

Keep in mind

According to some customers, the monkey needs more weight, to ensure even weight distribution.

What other moms say

Such an adorable popular pacifier, since I have bought this best pacifier for lip tie for my daughter, she just enjoys it a lot.

– Romani

 Additional specs

• BPA-free, phthalate-free
• Recommended to be used by newborns
• Features one-piece construction

5. Best Pacifier For Teething Baby: RaZbaby RaZberry Silicone Baby Teether Toy

Why we love it

Which pacifier is best for teeth? In our list, this is yet another best pacifier for babies. It features a unique BerryBump texture which will provide a lot of comfort to young babies.

Keep in mind

No doubt this silicone pacifier is among the best teething pacifier, it is so beneficial for teething.

What other moms say

This baby pacifier can help with teething. My son just loves suckling with this silicone pacifier. The design of this infant pacifier is so unique and memorable.

– Sam

Additional specs

• Design inspired by nature
• Food grade silicone has been used
• BPA-free, PVC-free

6. Best Orthodontic Pacifier: NUK Orthodontic Pacifier

Why we love it

Suppose you are looking for the best baby pacifier for breastfeeding that does not cause any nipple confusion. In that case, you should consider buying this Nuk newborn pacifier because it is the best pacifier for breastfed newborns.  Also, you can clean it easily.

Additional specs

• Features a heart-shaped shield
• Does not cause nipple confusion, best pacifier for breastfeeding.

What other moms say

This nuk newborn pacifier is just so adorable. It features a simple design; my daughter loves it so much. The best part is that I can sanitize the cute pacifier conveniently and quickly.

-Linda

7. Best Natural Pacifiers: BIBS BPA-Free Natural Rubber Baby Pacifier

Why we love it

This is the best pacifier for 3-6 months, the round nipple makes sure your baby does not face nipple confusion. It does not contain BPA or phthalates.

Additional specs

• Shied helps to prevent skin irritation
• A natural round shape resembling a human nipple

What other moms say

After the birth of my daughter, I was unable to get a good night’s sleep. She used to be very fussy, cried a lot. Now, with the help of this rubber pacifier, she feels so much calm.

-Monica

8. Best Pacifier For Babies Who Spit Them Out: Dr. Brown’s HappyPaci Silicone Pacifier

Why we love it

Dr.Brown’s pacifier is something your baby will fall in love with; the best pacifier for bottle fed babies is light in weight, looks cute, and is a very reputed brand for many years.

Additional specs

• Made up of 100% silicone
• Dishwasher safe

What other moms say

First of all, the design is quite impressive. It helped my son with teething. To all the mothers out there, I will highly recommend these cute pacifiers.

– Elisa

When To Introduce Pacifiers And When To Avoid

People may have different opinions about popular pacifiers, but there is one surety- pacifiers are crucial in many circumstances.

Pacifiers are essential for

• help tube-fed babies learn how to use a bottle
• When separated from their mothers, babies in NICU can get comfort.
• You can catch up on your desperate nighttime sleep in crisis mode.
• Babies with feeding issues can improve their motor skills.
• If your baby is going through a painful procedure, pacifiers can help them soothe, and they feel less pain and are more relaxed.
• The studies show that babies with pacifiers are less likely to die from sudden infant death syndrome. Therefore pacifiers reduce the risk of SIDS.
• Pacifiers can be a god-sent tool to soothe a screaming baby in a car, mainly because you can’t breastfeed them while in motion.

Is there any effect on Breastfeeding if using a pacifier?

The quickest answer is…it MAY.

Using Pacifier early on might interfere with breastfeeding.

The feeding sign might get masked if the pacifier is introduced too early. It also reduces the baby’s suckling at the breast. Consequently, reduced breast stimulation leads to an impact on the long-term milk supply of your baby.

So, it’s essential that breastfeeding is established before giving the pacifier to your baby. However, in certain exceptional circumstances, when the baby is sick or premature, you can introduce a pacifier to soothe your baby.

Latching can also be affected by a pacifier.

The pacifier feels firm; on the contrary, the breast is pliable and softer. The shape and feel of the pacifier are different from that of a breast. It can lead to pacifier preference or even confusion for the baby. 

When is the best time to introduce a pacifier?

Preferably, you and your baby should be well established in breastfeeding before introducing the pacifier, waiting for about 6 weeks after the postpartum is ideal for getting the consistency in breastfeeding and then starting with a pacifier if you want to. 

Points to consider before introducing a pacifier.

The studies show the increased instances of ear infections related to the use of pacifiers.

While the babies’ sucking action releases the sleeping hormone, whether you use a pacifier or breastfeed your baby, the use of a pacifier can disturb the feeding rhythms and the number of feeds per day.  

The use of pacifiers can lead to babies not eating enough or getting enough milk in each feed.

Oral development also gets affected due to pacifiers. If the pacifier is used beyond two years of age, it may lead to misaligned teeth. Your child can even develop speech problems.

Few Points for Using a Pacifier Along with Breastfeeding

• Pick silicone pacifier instead of latex due to an increase in the number of latex allergies.
• The right time to use a pacifier is in between the feeds. You should never use it to replace feed or increase the period in-between.
• Ideally, a straight pacifier is better than a curved one.
• When there is a sucking need, always encourage the baby to feed at the breast and not the pacifier. Ruling out hunger as the cause of fussiness is essential, especially if there is a weight gain issue with your baby.
• It’s ideal to keep a backup on hand once the baby has chosen their favorite pacifier.
• By the end of the 1st year, try to phase out the use of a pacifier.
• Pacifiers made of two pieces are choking hazards if they break, so always pick a dishwasher-safe single-piece one.
• Pacifiers with built-in gadgets, liquid interiors, or moving parts are a complete no-no.
• To clean the pacifiers, they should often be boiled in water or washed in running water after each usage. This is crucial till your baby turns 6 months old and has a matured immune system.
• You should never force a pacifier on your baby if they don’t want it.
• Always look out for signs of deterioration or lose parts. Replace them often to ensure hygiene and choking hazards due to breaking.
• Pick the right size as per the baby’s age.
• Ensure that the string or strap size for the pacifier clip is not long enough to get entangled around the baby’s neck. Always use the pacifier clips with caution.

Types of Pacifiers

Now, you will be surprised to note that there are a variety of pacifiers from which you can choose one depending on your baby’s age or requirements.

It is worth mentioning here that the pacifiers are designed differently for children of different ages, for instance, since older kids have top teeth so the pacifiers will be designed differently for them. Also, different pacifiers are made up of other materials.

Orthodontic baby pacifiers

Now, first of all, there are the orthodontic pacifiers that come with nipples, these nipples are round in shape and are flat at the bottom.

These pacifiers are unique for newborns whose teeth have just started developing as these pacifiers don’t cause any excess pressure on the baby’s teeth.

Your baby can conveniently suck on them; it’s more like natural sucking.

Round-tip baby pacifiers

If you are looking for some more traditional pacifiers, then you should consider buying Round-tip baby pacifiers. Now, the significant advantage of round baby pacifiers is that they more or less resemble the real nipple. That’s why if you are breastfeeding your baby, these pacifiers will work correctly for you.

Silicone Baby pacifiers

This type of baby pacifier is strongly built. These pacifiers can be cleaned conveniently.

Silicone baby pacifiers can be found commonly.

Latex Baby Pacifiers

Latex baby pacifiers are soft as well as flexible. Note that in case, your baby happens to be allergic to latex, then you should better buy a silicone baby pacifier. Most of the time, latex baby pacifiers are preferred for newborns or little kids who still don’t have healthy teeth.

One-piece baby pacifiers

One-piece baby pacifiers are made out of silicone, latex, or plastic.

These one-piece baby pacifiers are relatively safe to use; there are significantly fewer chances of smoking.

Multiple-piece baby pacifiers

Now, this is the most common variety of baby pacifiers available in the market.

This type of baby pacifier comes with a ring, a guard, and a nipple. All the different parts of a baby pacifier are produced separately.

What to Look For While Shopping For a Pacifier

When it comes to buying a baby pacifier, you should always take some things into account. Let’s talk about some of them.

• Shape: As we have been mentioning earlier, there are traditional shapes such as orthodontic and round, but also, there are several unique shapes.

For babies who are being breastfed, nothing can be better than round nipple baby pacifiers. And basically, the shape which you should choose depends on what your baby loves.

• Material: Pacifiers are made up of a variety of materials such as latex, silicone, rubber, etc. Most of the time, the pacifiers are made up of silicone. Note that latex pacifiers may not be suitable for some babies, because they may be allergic to latex.

If you are looking for pacifiers made up of natural materials, then rubber pacifiers will be an excellent option for you.

• Safety: It is highly essential to note that the shield should come with ventilation holes and should be made up of plastic. The pacifier should be designed in such a manner that your baby cannot take the pacifier entirely in his or her mouth.

• Size: You will find a variety of pacifiers of different shapes or measures that are available on the market. You can ask your pediatrician about that. Also, we advise choosing the pacifier based on your baby’s age.

• Construction: Note that the baby pacifiers which are available in the market are made up of only one component and material.

• On the other hand, you may find top pacifiers that are made up of a combination of two or more materials. You should always prefer one-piece baby pacifiers because the risk of choking in them is relatively less.

• Cost: You will find a variety of pacifiers; there will be some pricey fashionable ones as well some standard pacifiers that offer just the normal functioning of a baby pacifier.

So, it wholly depends on what you need, if you are quite interested in the appearance of the pacifier, then you can buy those adorable costly pacifiers, but the normal ones would also suffice.

Pacifier Safety Tips & Best Practices for Using Pacifiers

It is also important to share here a few safety tips and best practices when using a pacifier. Read further below.

• You should never use a pacifier for a prolonged period because it increases the chances of choking in children.

• You should always make sure that every time you put the pacifier in your baby’s mouth, you should clean it properly and ensure that there are no holes or cracks.

• Also, here is an essential piece of advice for you that you should always use a pacifier for your baby according to his or her age.

• Use of a makeshift pacifier is not at all advised.

• Also, you should never try to tie the baby pacifier around the neck of your newborn.

• Sweetening the pacifier can be very harmful to your child.

• As soon as your baby is six months old or more, try to reduce the use of the pacifier and slowly eliminate the habit of suckling.

• As soon as your baby falls asleep, take the pacifier clip away from your child.

When is the Right Time to Discontinue or Avoid Using Baby Pacifiers?

• If the number of feeds reduces in a day, the pacifier should immediately be discontinued (Ideally, a newborn baby should feed 8-12 times a day)
• If you develop sore nipples or your baby has breastfeeding difficulties. Returning to exclusive breastfeeding can help reduce nipple confusion.
• Low milk supply issues and weight gain problems are also associated with excessive use of pacifiers.
• If breastfeeding is refused by the baby.
• If you or your baby develops thrush, you should immediately stop the use of a pacifier. 

FAQs About Pacifiers

Now that we know about the various kinds of pacifiers, let us move further with the most common FAQs that many new parents have!

Q: Does my baby need a pacifier?

You need to understand that buying a pacifier is not all a necessity. Still, if you have a fussy baby who cries a lot or throws a lot of tantrums(as it is their nature to do so), you should not shy away from buying one for your baby. It will benefit you a lot.

As these pacifiers will allow your breastfeeding child to suck, it will help him or her to feel content.

Also, note that pacifiers should not be used excessively to stop your child from crying.

You should always understand what’s the issue your baby is facing, and why is he throwing tantrums. So, we recommend using the pacifier if you feel that most of the time your baby does not want milk, but just wants to suckle.

Q: Do I need to get a BPA-free pacifier?

You should note BPA is very dangerous for your child’s health. Legally, since 1999, BPA has already been banned and not in use in any of the pacifiers that are available in the market. We can say with full assurance that you don’t need to worry unnecessarily.

Q: Should I get a rounded nipple or orthodontic nipple pacifier?

First of all, it’s essential to understand if you are breastfeeding your baby, then the rounded nipple pacifiers will be preferable as they resemble the human nipple.

Also, the type of pacifier which you should use depends on what your child loves, sometimes your baby may love suckling on an orthodontic pacifier over around one.

Q: How many pacifiers should I stock up on before my baby is born?

We recommend that you should never stock up on pacifiers before your baby is born.

Most of the time, you will not even feel the need for stocking up on pacifiers for your baby because your friends and family members will give you a lot of them(probably a baby shower). Also, it is not a wise decision to buy any pacifier before understanding the liking or disliking of your baby.

In case you don’t get pacifiers as baby gifts, then you should better buy an orthodontic pacifier and one round pacifier for your baby.

Q: Can a newborn sleep with a pacifier?

Many parents choose to give their newborn a pacifier to help them sleep. Some pediatricians even recommend giving a pacifier to newborns as early as the first week of life. However, there is some debate over whether or not a newborn can actually sleep with a pacifier. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) says that a newborn can start sleeping through the night without a pacifier by around 12 weeks old. If your baby is exclusively breastfeeding, you may want to continue giving him or her a pacifier until he or she starts drinking milk at around 6 months old.

Q: What shape pacifier is best?

There are many different types of pacifiers, but the best one for your baby depends on his or her age and weight. Some pacifiers are round and others are shaped like animals, characters from fairy tales, or fruits. It’s important to find a pacifier that is comfortable for your baby and easy to hold. If your baby spits up or vomits after sucking on a pacifier, it’s probably not the right one for him or her. Talk to your pediatrician about the best type of pacifier for your baby.

Q: Which brand pacifier is the best?

When it comes to choosing the best brand of pacifier for your baby, there are a lot of factors to consider. Some parents prefer one brand over another because of its features or price. However, there is no one perfect brand of pacifier for everyone. Ultimately, you’ll have to decide which features are important to you and your baby.

Q: When should I replace a pacifier?

In case, you notice any holes, or once discoloring starts to happen, then you should understand that it’s time to replace the pacifier.

Also, if the nipple gets way too stretched, then you should consider replacing it soon.

When you start feeling that the components of the pacifier have become quite loose, then you should replace them.

Q: Do I need a stuffed animal for my baby’s pacifier?

Well, having a stuffed animal is not a necessity. However, you should know that having one will prevent you from losing the pacifier.

As we all know that stuffed animals can be very adorable and entertaining, so buying one is the right decision. Note that, you should not allow your baby to use a stuffed animal baby pacifier in your absence.

Q: How to clean a pacifier?

It is most evident that because of baby spitting, hair, fur, dust, etc., the baby pacifier is going to get dirty soon. In our list of best pacifiers, we have included such products which can be conveniently washed. To clean the baby pacifier, you will need a sanitizer bottle.

Also, you can make use of microwave sanitizers for washing the pacifier.

Boiling can also be beneficial for cleaning the device.

Q: When is the best time to wean off the pacifier?

Our piece of advice for you would be to make your baby suckle with the pacifier until your baby is one year old. Of course, the use of baby pacifiers for older children for a prolonged time is not recommended. Note that in case you stop giving the pacifier to your baby and your cute little being is suckling with the thumb, then you should better give your baby the pacifier back. You can try this after a few months and see if your baby has stopped his suckling habit.

Q: Do pacifiers cause nipple confusion?

See, when it comes to nipple confusion, there is a little conflict between the thoughts of different doctors or experts. While for some experts, baby pacifiers can be the reason for nipple confusion, some doctors are not of this opinion.

You need to understand that nipple confusion can occur in some babies, so it depends on how your baby perceives it. While some babies don’t like when you transition from baby pacifiers to human nipples, it’s totally a personal feeling.

Moving on further, we have compiled a buying guide to help you decide on what to look for when shopping for a pacifier.

Q: One-piece or multiple pieces, which work better?

• As per my experience, a one-piece pacifier works much better. Easier to wash, and they don’t have any room for water collection, which makes them an ideal choice.
• Secondly, one-piece pacifiers are made of only single softer material and leave no lines on your baby’s mouth.
• Lastly, single-piece pacifiers don’t come apart so quickly, and that’s when you know it’s time to replace them.

Q: Why are there no top-known brands on the list?

Though the brands like Chicco, gumdrop, Smilo, Bornfree, Playtex, Comotomo, and Ulbululu are big and known, they were just not high enough for our standards! After reviewing all the pacifiers, only the top one’s made their way to our list. But, all babies are different, and so is their choice of the pacifier. If your baby doesn’t like these options, go ahead and try others! 

Don’t Forget the Pacifier Clips

If you are a parent of a newborn, you should never neglect the importance of buying a pacifier clip. You will find them very useful and easy to use. These clips prevent the pacifier from falling to the floor as these clips help in keeping the pacifier intact with your Child’ clothing.

Conclusion

So, we have reached the end of this article, and we hope that it was an insightful article. Of course, you can choose one of these top 8 excellent products. We hope that you found the article quite useful. You should go through the buying guide. Carefully before buying any baby pacifier. If you have any suggestions related to this article, then you should feel free to write it down in the comment section.  

Stay Tuned.

>>> Check here to read more posts about baby feeding and nursing.