One of the easiest ways of soothing a fussy baby is by offering them a pacifier. So, here’s our list of the best baby pacifiers to help you choose the right one. They are helpful as they can comfort your baby as you get your household chores done. However, there are different pacifiers available, and it can be challenging to choose the right one. So, go through our list of products and explore their features to find one that suits your child’s needs and is safe for them.
15 Best Pacifiers For Babies In 2022
We have categorized the pacifiers as per the infant’s age group.
Best pacifiers for 0-3 months
These are some of the best pacifiers for newborn babies up to the age of three months. The nipple is specifically designed to fit into the tiny mouth of the young infant.
1. Best One-Piece: Nuk Newborn Pacifier
This pacifier by Nuk has a one-piece design and is made of 100% sterile silicone that is soft on the baby’s palate. The orthodontic shape of the nipple ensures healthy oral development and prevents discomfort. Pros
Heart-shaped design prevents the nipple from sliding Bottom scoop for baby’s tongue Integrated ring to pull the pacifier BPA- and fragrance-free Easy to clean
Cons
May attract dirt and hair May be slightly heavy
2. Best Unique: Mam Newborn Start Orthodontic Pacifier
The lightweight, silicone-based pacifier by Mam is designed to offer comfort to newborns. It comes as a pair in a microwave-safe sterilization box. Check out this video to know more about the pacifier. Pros
Curved shield snugly fits around the baby’s mouth Comfortable for extended use Large holes for proper air circulation Manufactured after research inputs by pediatric experts Free of BPA, phthalates, and other harmful chemicals
Cons
Water may accumulate in the nipple region May be slightly large
3. Best For Newborn: Philips Avent Soothie Pacifier
This pacifier by Philips Avent comes with a one-piece design and is made of medical-grade silicone. The pacifier is recommended by medical professionals. Here’s a video that demonstrates how easy it is to use this product daily. Pros
Specially designed for newborns Orthodontic design for healthy oral development Dishwasher-safe and sterilizable in water Durable and long-lasting. Free of BPA, latex, fragrance, and other harmful chemicals
Cons
May be slightly stiff May have a weird smell when new
Best pacifiers for 3-6 months
Pacifiers ideal for babies growing to reach the sixth-month milestone of their life.
4. Best Latex-Free: The First Years Gumdrop Newborn Pacifiers
Make bedtime safer and more comfortable for your little newborn with The First Years Gumdrop pacifiers designed for ages zero to three months. The pacifiers fit your baby’s face without looking bulky. Each pack contains two pacifiers in green and blue. Pros
Made of latex-free silicone material Unique contour shape Lightweight design Pacifiers don’t hide the nose
Cons
May be a bit hard May attract dust
5. Best Stylish: Tommee Tippee Moda Pacifier
Tommee Tippee Moda pacifier with orthodontic nipple features two differently-shaped ends. The pacifier has a large shield guard with two big holes, ensuring maximum air circulation. It is an ideal pacifier for babies with tongue-tie or ankyloglossia, a condition where the tongue stays attached to the lower palate. Pros
Available in a bright, attractive color scheme Free of BPA, harmful chemicals, and fragrance Soft and durable nipple Easy to clean
Cons
May be slightly big Colors may vary from those advertised
6. Best Dishwasher-Safe; Dr. Brown Silicone Pacifier
Dr. Brown brings you this silicone pacifier in a one-piece design for comfortable use. It includes a pack of two, and the nipple is shaped like a bottle nipple to make pacifier adoption smooth. Pros
Curved shield lets the baby breathe freely Made of 100% medical-grade silicone Dishwasher-safe Easy to clean
Cons
May not be ideal for teething babies Nipple may be slightly long
Best pacifiers for 6-12-month-olds
Six-12-month-old babies start eating solids, which means you can introduce some interesting pacifiers to your little one. Here are the best pacifiers for babies in this age group.
7. Best For Teething: Ashtonbee Baby Fruit Feeder Pacifier
This feeder pacifier by Ashtonbee is innovatively designed with a pacifier and a lid to let you fill it with foods or purees for your baby to squeeze. The nipple is soft and squishy, which means it also relieves teething pain. A sieve in the nipple allows small bits of food to trickle into the baby’s mouth, which makes introducing semi-solid food easy and safe. Pros
Doubles as a food strainer Made of stain-resistant material Free of BPA, latex, phthalates, and lead Convenient handle Mess-free feeder
Cons
May not be stain-resistant May not be freezer-safe
8. Best Sleep-Inducing: Philips Avent Nighttime Pacifier
This robust silicone nipple by Philips does not lose its shape even when the baby chews it while teething. The pacifier handle glows in the dark, which makes it easy for the parent to spot it at night. Also, it includes two sterilizable carrying cases. Pros
Made of BPA- and odor-free material Dishwasher- and sterilize-safe Includes a nipple cap to keep it clean Extra large ventilation holes
Cons
Might be a bit large May not be easy to clean
9. Best Funny: Cluckyu Pacifier
If you’re looking for a funny pacifier to go with your baby’s outfit for a costume party or Halloween, the Cluckyu Pacifier is a good choice. The nipple of this mustache pacifier is both soft and optimally tough to ensure your baby finds it familiar and easy to latch on to. It is an ideal solution for inducing sleep and helping your baby self-soothe at night. Each pack includes two pacifiers suitable for babies aged zero to six months. Pros
Made of BPA-free silicone material Orthodontic nipple Comes with airflow holes Dishwasher-safe SGS-certified
Cons
Might be a bit heavy May be huge on the infant’s face
Best pacifiers for 12-18-month-olds
Even toddlers can be soothed with the help of a pacifier. Here are some pacifiers that are best for toddlers.
10. Best Plush: WubbaNub Infant Pacifier
Encourage self-soothing with the Wubbanub Infant Pacifier that features an adorable plush giraffe. The pacifier is easy for little hands to grasp and is suitable for babies aged from zero to six months. Pros
Doubles as a toy One-piece construction Phthalate- and PVC-free Latex- and BPA-free
Cons
Pacifier is not detachable Stuffed animal may be a little too lightweight
11. Best With Sterilizing Case: Chicco PhysioForma One-Piece Pacifier
The Chicco PhysioForma pacifier comes in a set of two with a sterilizing case. The pacifiers feature ventilation holes to ensure air circulation and prevent saliva from gathering. Further, the nipple has a lateral curve to distribute the tongue’s pressure evenly against the palate. Pros
Orthodontic nipple BPA-free Latex-free Soft and satin-textured Offers comfort and prevents slip
Cons
Top of the pacifier may be a bit heavy May not be easy to clean
12. Best Collapsible: Philips Avent Freeflow Pacifier
The Philips Avent pacifier is designed to promote the natural development of teeth and gums and also facilitates easy transition between the breast and bottle. It is suitable for your baby’s sensitive skin and is recommended for babies aged six to 18 months. Pros
Includes a snap-on pacifier cap. Orthodontic symmetrical and collapsible nipple Taste- and odor-free Features extra freeflow air holes BPA-free
Cons
May be slightly big May be difficult to clean
Best pacifiers for 18+ months
Even older toddlers need some comfort. Here are some pacifiers that work well for toddlers older than 18 months (1.5 years).
13. Best Glow-In-The-Dark: Tommee Tippee Pacifiers
The Tommee Tippee Pacifiers are designed to look adorable with cute little images and patterns. These glow-in-the-dark pacifiers are suitable for use during nighttime as they allow you to locate your baby without turning the light on or disturbing your baby. Each pacifier features a curved shield to fit your baby’s mouth and has large air holes that prevent moisture build-up and skin irritation. Pros
Symmetrical design 100% medical-grade BPA-free silicone nipples Stain- and odor-resistant Soft and flexible
Cons
Some may find the nipple a bit long
14. Nuk Natural Shape Orthodontic Pacifier
This pacifier by Nuk has a handle to let you remove the pacifier from the toddler’s mouth easily. The smooth texture is gentle on the toddler’s palate, and it comes with a heart-shaped shield allowing easy breathing. Pros
Simple and easy-to-use design Soft silicone nipple Small vents of the pacifier allow optimal air circulation Odor-free and robust materials Free of BPA and harmful chemicals Comes as a pair and in a microwave-safe sterilization box
Cons
Might be a tad small Colors may vary
15. Mam Animal Orthodontic Pacifier
This pacifier by Mam has a heart-shaped shield, allowing your baby to breathe comfortably, and a symmetrical nipple shape that mimics a mother’s nipple. Further, it has a knob-shaped handle for easy removal of the pacifier from the infant’s mouth. Pros
Multiple small holes in the shield for optimal air circulation Made of odor-free and robust materials Free of BPAand other harmful chemicals Comes as a pair in a sterilization box that is microwave-safe
Cons
May not suit heavy chewers May be slightly big
Pacifiers are an excellent parenting tool to calm a cranky and colic baby. However, you have to keep in mind some essential points about their usage.
When To Give A Baby A Pacifier?
The American Academy of Paediatrics recommends offering a pacifier to babies when they are at least one-month old. That is the age when breastfeeding gets established and the baby will not confuse a pacifier with a breast nipple and vice-versa (1).
What Are The Types Of Pacifiers?
The following are the common types of pacifiers available in the market:
How To Choose The Best Pacifier?
Remember the following points when buying a pacifier for your infant or toddler:
Seven Tips On Baby Pacifier Usage
When using a pacifier for a baby or toddler, remember the following points: In addition to these tips, remember to always clean the pacifier before use. Keeping the pacifier clean is essential to prevent transmission of germs. Shawnda Dorantes MSN, APRN, FNP-C, acclaimed California-based nurse practitioner and expecting mother, says, “Remember to choose the right pacifier for your child based on their age – Keeping your child in mind is of the utmost importance because your child relies on you to make informed decisions, and the wrong size pacifier is a choking hazard. The distance between the pacifier’s nipple ring should be at least an inch and a half.”
How To Keep Pacifiers Clean?
Here is how you can keep a pacifier clean. You can also sterilize the pacifier in the microwave-safe sterilization box that comes with it. Place the pacifier in the box, fill it with water, and put it in the microwave for two minutes or until the water boils. For precise instructions, refer to the manufacturer’s instruction manual.
Why Trust MomJunction?
Vibha Navarathna, the author of this article, understands the nuances of the gentle growth and subtle transitions in a baby’s life. It’s all about making them feel safe, secure, and comfortable with your gentle care and affection. She has carefully gone through multiple user feedbacks and baby health forums before curating this list of the best pacifiers for your baby. These pacifiers are made of high-quality materials, easy to sterilize, and best suited for your baby’s grip, hold, and tiny mouth.
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