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Are you looking for the best pacifier for your breastfed baby?
Finding the right one for your little one is much easier when you know what to look for.
The best pacifier for a breastfeeding baby tends to be one that is very similar to a natural breast. A nipple-like pacifier will be soft, flexible, and stretchy.
This will help reduce confusion so that your baby will be able to easily transition back and forth from paci to breast or bottle without a fuss.
Related: 7 Best Bottles for Breastfed Babies
Best pacifier for a breastfeeding baby (quick glance)
Tommee Tippee Closer to Nature Soother
- Super soft silicone material
- Natural shape and feel
- Orthodontic and BPA-free
- For ages 0-3 months
Nanobebe Baby Pacifiers
- Soft and flexible silicone material
- Lightweight and comfortable design
- Orthodontic and BPA-free
- For ages 0-3 months
MAM Clear Collection Pacifiers
- Silky soft silicone material
- Symmetrical design
- Orthodontic and BPA-free
- Comes with sterilizing storage case
- For ages 0-6 months
Medela Pacifier
- Super soft silicone material
- Natural shape and feel
- Orthodontic and BPA-free
- Comes with self-sterilizing case
- For ages 0-6 months
Philips Avent Soothie Pacifier
- Soft silicone material
- Used in hospitals nationwide
- Orthodontic and BPA-free
- For ages 0-3 months
Ashtonbee Baby Fruit Feeder Pacifier
- Feeder, teething toy, and pacifier
- Soft silicone material
- Smaller holes so food will last longer
- Free of BPA, lead, and phthalates
- For ages 3 months and up
- Are you looking for the best pacifier for your breastfed baby?
- Best pacifier for a breastfeeding baby (quick glance)
- Do I have to give my baby a pacifier?
- What is the best pacifier for breastfed babies?
- What's the best way to sterilize a pacifier?
- When should I replace my baby's pacifier?
- How long can my baby use a pacifier?
- Hopefully, this has helped you decide on the best pacifier for your breastfed baby.
Do I have to give my baby a pacifier?
The short answer is no.
Like most other topics in the parenting world, pacifiers have their pros and cons. Some moms love them. Others have solid opinions against them.
A pacifier can be helpful for calming your baby during certain moments when you need that extra helping hand.
Studies have concluded that pacifiers may be associated with a decreased risk of SIDS.
It’s theorized that this may be because the pacifier increases responsiveness or possibly makes it easier to breathe through the mouth if the nasal airway becomes blocked.
Ultimately, whether or not you decide to give your breastfeeding baby a pacifier is completely up to you, and we encourage you to do your own research always!
What is the best pacifier for breastfed babies?
Pacifiers come in various shapes, colors, and sizes. They may also differ in materials used for production.
Your best choice depends on your preference and your child’s reaction to it. Here’s a breakdown of our top choices! Hopefully one of these nipple-like pacifiers will work for you.
1
The Tommee Tippee Closer to Nature Soother is made with super soft silicone.
As the name suggests, this pacifier was designed to feel more like mom’s skin and has a more natural-shaped nipple that flexes, stretches, and moves as a natural breast would. This is very helpful for preventing nipple confusion.
It’s also ventilated and curves away from your baby’s delicate face to help you avoid any rashes or skin irritation.
The Tommee Tippee pacifier is suitable for babies 0-3 months, although there is an option for 6-18 months as well.
Pros:
Cons:
2
The Nanobebe Pacifier is an excellent option for breastfed babies.
It’s made with 100% silicone, which helps keep it soft and flexible, and it curves comfortably around your little one’s nose and chin.
The Nanobebe Pacifier is suitable for ages 0-3, but they are also available for ages 3-6 months too.
Pros:
Cons:
3
The MAM Clear Collection Pacifier is made with silky soft BPA-free silicone material.
These pacifiers are known for their symmetrical shape. This means that when your baby drops the paci, you won’t have to fidget with it to figure out which way it goes. That’s a win-win for tired mamas.
Additionally, you won’t need an extra sterilizer for these as they come with their own sterilizing storage case.
The MAM Clear Collection Pacifier is suitable for babies 0-6 months.
Pros:
Cons:
4
Like others we have mentioned, the Medela Pacifier is made with silicone, which gives it that soft and natural feel that we’re looking for.
According to a recent survey, 9 out of 10 babies accepted one specifically. A high acceptance rate means there’s a really good chance your baby with love this pacifier.
Another feature to love is its lightweight and symmetrical design. It’s also gentle on the skin, allows plenty of airflow and comes with a self-sterilizing case.
The Medela Pacifier is suitable for babies 0-6 months, but there are also 6-18 month and 18+ month options as well.
Pros:
Cons:
5
Do you recognize this one? The Philips Avent Soothie Pacifier is used in hospitals nationwide. If you haven’t seen one there, you’ve probably seen one attached to a cute animal like this.
These popular pacifiers are known for their unique shape, soft silicone material, and durability.
The Philips Avent Soothie Pacifier is suitable for babies 0-3 months.
Pros:
Cons:
6
The Ashtonbee Baby Feeder Pacifier is a little different than your basic pacifier. It’s essentially a feeder, teething toy, and pacifier all in one.
This nifty little soother has a handle babies can hold onto. The textured surface helps soothe sore gums and promote healthy teeth development while providing a bit of extra flavor for your little one to enjoy.
You can use the feeder to make frozen breast milk pops for your baby to chomp on. It’s also a great way to introduce new fruits and vegetables to your baby in a safe way.
The Ashtonbee Feeder Pacifier is suitable for babies 3 months and up.
Pros:
Cons:
What’s the best way to sterilize a pacifier?
Before you give your baby a pacifier, you need to ensure it’s properly sterilized in order to remove any bacteria or germs.
You can usually do this by submerging in boiling water for about 5 minutes or using a steamer. Some may come with a microwaveable container for sterilization.
Refer to the guide or manual that comes with your pacifier for more specific instructions.
When should I replace my baby’s pacifier?
Some brands recommend changing every month, but you will definitely want to replace your baby’s pacifier right away if you see any tears, holes, odd stretching, etc.
How long can my baby use a pacifier?
According to the American Academy of Family Physicians and the American Academy of Pediatrics, babies should stop using it when they are at six months old to avoid ear infections.
Also, using a pacifier beyond the age of 2 years may increase your child’s risk of orthodontic issues.
Hopefully, this has helped you decide on the best pacifier for your breastfed baby.
Or, at the very least, I hope it has given you an idea as to what to look for as you search for a suitable soother for your little one.
Remember, if your baby happens to reject the first pacifier you try to introduce, this is completely normal. Some babies are just a little pickier than others.
With a bit of trial and error, you will find the right one for your breastfeeding baby!