Best Pacifiers for your Baby

Most parents these days utilize pacifiers for their infants, but there is a lot of conflicting information as well as marketing ads about what type of pacifier is the best. For new parents, sorting through all this info can be overwhelming. So let's talk through what qualities to look for when choosing a pacifier so that you feel educated and can make the decision that makes the most sense for you and your baby!

What's the best type of pacifier?

There is no one best type or brand, but aim for an ideal shape to promote optimal sucking habits.

Our main goal when choosing a pacifier is to find one that supports an ideal sucking pattern. This is especially important for breastfed babies to avoid creating bad habits that may negatively impact their latch at the breast.

When a baby is actively nursing, the breast nipple is stretched far back into their mouth. Look for a pacifier with similar qualities to the breast nipple during active sucking, including:

Conventional or orthodontic, they can still impact the palate's shape. 

There are conflicting opinions in the medical, dental, and lactation fields related to the ideal pacifier shape. Pacifiers are usually categorized as conventional or orthodontic, but there is a huge variation from brand to brand in terms of their overall shape and design, so there is no conclusive recommendation as to the “best” type of pacifier.

Studies have shown that pacifiers affect the palate differently based on size and design, regardless of whether they are labeled conventional or orthodontic.

Avoid orthodontic or bulb-shaped pacifiers to protect breastfeeding success.

I recommend avoiding orthodontic or bulb-shaped pacifiers for better breastfeeding success. The large tip of a bulb-shaped pacifier limits the tongue movement and cupping that we look for in an ideal sucking pattern. Similarly, orthodontic pacifiers don’t allow for tongue cupping and are also often very short, causing the baby to chomp on the pacifier at the front of their mouth. You can find a link to my most recommended pacifiers below! 

Not every pacifier is right for every baby. Choose the best one for your specific child.

Keep in mind that most research has shown that the negative effects we see from pacifiers such as ear infections and dental problems tend to increase in correlation with increased frequency and duration of use, so don't get too caught up in choosing the "right" pacifier.

If your baby uses a pacifier that doesn’t necessarily check all of the boxes, but they’re still feeding well, there’s no need to stress about it. Keep doing what works! If you're having feeding problems while currently using a non-ideal shape, I suggest trying one with a preferred shape.

Shop my favorite pacifiers here!

Pacifier Safety Tips:

• Pacifiers that are made of just a single piece are less likely to break apart and become a choking hazard.
• The AAP recommends that the shield between the nipple and the ring should be at least 1 1/2” across so baby cannot put the entire pacifier into their mouth. In addition, the shield should be made of firm plastic with ventilation holes.
• The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission prohibits straps, cords, or attachments that could pose a danger to infants.
• Regularly inspect your pacifiers for deterioration or damage, and replace as needed. 
• Frequent washing and sterilization is also recommended, as bacteria and fungi have been known to grow on pacifiers if not properly cleaned. 

There are many factors to consider when choosing a pacifier for your baby, and it's easy to over-complicate it with all the different options and advice available to new parents. Hopefully you can use this info to make an informed decision and feel confident that it's the best choice for you and your baby!

If you have more questions or you're having other concerns with feeding your baby, my Bottle and Breastfeeding Course is right for you. Click the link below to find out more!

Access the Bottle & Breastfeeding Course Here!

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<sub>Warren, John J., et al. "Pacifier use and the occurrence of otitis media in the first year of life." Pediatric dentistry 23.2 (2001): 103-108.

Tesini, David A., et al. "Functional comparison of pacifiers using finite element analysis." BMC Oral Health 22.1 (2022): 49.</sub>