Using a pacifier for your newborn or breastfeeding baby is a controversial topic among many parents but there have been some studies that show it offers plenty of benefits for your baby.
However, it can be difficult to find the best pacifier for breastfed baby and newborn, which is why I have put together this comprehensive guide to help you find the right pacifier for your breastfeeding child.
- Our Top 5 Pacifiers for Breastfed Babies
- How to Choose the Best Pacifier for Breastfed Baby – What to Look For
- The 12 Best Pacifiers for Breastfeeding Babies
- MAM Night Orthodontic Pacifiers – Best Overall – Editor's Pick
- Nanobébé Flexy Pacifiers – Best Comfortable Design
- First Years Gumdrop Newborn Pacifiers – Best for Tiny Newborn Babies
- WubbaNub Infant Pacifier – Best Stuffed Toy Pacifier
- Natursutten Pacifier – Best Natural Rubber Pacifier
- Ryan & Rose Cutie PAT Pacifier
- Philips AVENT Soothie Pacifier
- NUK Orthodontic Pacifier
- Evenflo Feeding Balance
- Itzy Ritzy Sweetie Pacifiers
- Chicco PhysioForma Pacifiers
- Tommee Tippee Closer to Nature Everyday Pacifiers
- The Pros and Cons of Pacifiers for Breastfed Babies & Newborns
- Conclusion
Our Top 5 Pacifiers for Breastfed Babies
How to Choose the Best Pacifier for Breastfed Baby – What to Look For
When it comes to choosing the best pacifier for nursing babies, it can be difficult to do so because of the numerous options available. To better understand what to look for in a pacifier, here are the features you need to check out when choosing the right one for your baby.
Pacifier Size
Choosing the wrong size of a pacifier for your baby can serve as a safety hazard because a too-small size can be a choking hazard while a too-big one might not be effective at soothing him/her. Therefore, when finding the best soothers for breastfed baby and newborn, consider this factor as pacifiers come in different sizes and the appropriate size depends on their age.
- Small for babies aged 6 months or below (for preemies, look for those marketed as 0+ or 0-6 months, or specifically preemie pacis)
- Medium for babies aged 6 months to 18 months
- Large for babies aged 18 months and above
Design or Type of Pacifier
Another issue with choosing the best binky for breastfed baby is because there are just so many types of pacifiers to choose from. However, depending on your child’s age and preference, you will also want to carefully consider the type of pacifier they will use so you can gauge how many pacifiers to get for them. Here are the most common ones:
- Basic Pacifier/Three-Piece – This is considered the most common one and was built to withstand constant use.
- One-Piece Pacifier – Another common type, this type might be better if you’re worried about choking hazards as this cannot break apart, unlike the former type.
- Feeding Pacifier – At 6 months old, you can start introducing new flavors and food to breastfed babies. A feeding pacifier can help with this task.
- Stuffed Animal Pacifier – This type of pacifier has become popular in recent years because the stuffed animal can be more attractive for your baby and it’s easier for him/her to hold. It’s also machine-washable.
Material of Pacifier
It’s vital that you consider the composition of your baby’s pacifier as they will be putting this into their mouths. The most commonly used materials for the pacifier nipple (the part your baby will be sucking on) are latex or silicone.
Silicone is more common than latex because it’s almost always dishwasher-safe and more durable than its latex counterparts. It also doesn’t retain odors which can make it more appealing for your child.
Latex, on the other hand, is softer and offers more flexibility than silicone nipples but the downside is that latex nipples wear out faster and requires hand-washing. Moreover, it retains odors that can turn off breastfed babies from sucking on the pacifier.
Make sure the pacifier is free from phthalates, BPA, parabens and other chemicals to be safe for your child. Also, look into your child’s potential allergy towards latex type of binky, especially in newborns.
The 12 Best Pacifiers for Breastfeeding Babies
MAM Night Orthodontic Pacifiers – Best Overall – Editor’s Pick
One of the hardest challenges of being a new mother is getting up at night to soothe a crying baby. When you’re groggy, it can be difficult to find your baby’s binky without turning on the lights – something that can further irritate your child.
The MAM Night Orthodontic Pacifiers help combat this problem with their glow-in-the-dark pacifiers that make it easy to locate and easily pop the MAM pacifier back into your baby’s mouth. The pacifier shield design allows adequate room for your baby’s nose, and the wide openings on it let your baby’s skin breathe and prevent skin irritation.
We think this is the best pacifier among the pacifiers for breastfed babies on the list – with ventilation, glow-in-the-dark feature checked, safety and ease of cleaning checked, there’s so much to love about MAM pacifiers!
Pros:
- Features a glow-in-the-dark design that allows it to be easily located at night.
- Has BPA-free silicone nipple with a symmetrical shape that helps the development of the teeth and jaw of your baby
- Comes with a sterilizing storage case for convenient and easy cleaning after use
- With a SkinSoft silicone nipple closely mimics the feel of mom, making it the pacifier most like breast
- With a textured surface and small openings allow for better ventilation
- Symmetrical shield also means you don’t have to worry which side is the right side up
Cons:
- The clear design makes it difficult to find during the day
Nanobébé Flexy Pacifiers – Best Comfortable Design
If you’re looking for the best pacifier for nursing babies that will help your little one successfully transition from breastfeeding to sucking on a binky, then the Nanobébé Flexy Pacifiers might be the pacifier for you.
With its unique carefully thought-out design, these silicone pacifiers will stay firmly in your baby’s mouth because they conform to your baby’s face shape. Each pacifier nipple is made from BPA- and phthalate-free silicone, making it safe for the use of your nursing child while avoiding nipple confusion in breastfed babies.
Pros:
- Has a well-thought-out design that helps ease the transition for your little one and prevent nipple confusion
- Features a unique shape that’s designed to conform to your baby’s face so it stays firmly inside
- Uses BPA- and phthalate-free silicone that’s safe for use and helps promote good oral development
- Has an extra-soft nipple to enhance baby’s comfort while sucking
- Features a lightweight design for easy use and a more comfortable fit
Cons:
- Not suitable for use by older babies as it leaves an imprint on their faces
- May be a hit or miss among breastfed babies
First Years Gumdrop Newborn Pacifiers – Best for Tiny Newborn Babies
Most pacifiers that are marketed as newborn pacifiers can be bigger than expected to fit the size of your newborn baby’s mouth but not for First Years baby pacifiers! These gumdrop-like soothers are well-loved by parents and little ones due to their simple one-piece design yet comfortable fit for baby’s age between 0 to 3 months.
They are made with latex-free silicone so you can have less worries about triggering allergies in your newborn child. These lightweight pacifiers also work well with pacifier clips, and with the unique pacifier shapes that contour to the face really well, you will likely see this pacifier stay much longer in stay much longer in young breastfed babies’ mouths than the others.
Pros:
- Small, lightweight design that is great for newborn babies’ mouths
- Made with durable silicone that is free from latex
- Pacifier shield contours to face with a curve for baby’s nose for a good, comfy fit
- One-piece design for easy cleaning
- Can be attached to pacifier clips
Cons:
- Not for babies older than 3 months
- May collect hair and lint easily
WubbaNub Infant Pacifier – Best Stuffed Toy Pacifier
The WubbaNub Infant Pacifier features a one-piece Philips AVENT soothie pacifier sewn with a soft plush that is durable enough for babies from 0 to 6 months. The binky is made of 100% medical grade silicone which will not cause any allergic reactions and is safe from BPA, phthalates and PVC.
What makes this pacifier a hit among parents (and breastfed babies!) is the stuffed toy attached to the binky, reducing the likelihood for the pacifier to go missing, plus your little one earns a trusty cute companion to cuddle to sleep. Another bonus is that, it’s definitely easy to spot in a diaper bag!
You can choose from the different stuffed animals offered by WubbaNub. This soft toy pacifier is machine washable, though it is recommended to handwash them all to preserve the quality condition.
Pros:
- Dual-function – part-pacifier and part-cuddle toy
- Being attached to a stuffed toy makes the pacifier easy to spot and less likely to go missing
- One-piece binky design for easy cleaning
- Non-latex nipple, BPA-free, phthalate free, PVC free makes it safe for babies
- Variety of plush designs
Cons:
- Pacifier cannot be replaced as it is permanently attached to the plush
- Not recommended for teething babies
Natursutten Pacifier – Best Natural Rubber Pacifier
Natursutten pacifiers are best known for their natural rubber nipples that are free from artificial colorings, BPA, phthalates, PVC and chemical softeners. They come in two types – the original rounded nipple and orthodontic nipple to promote healthy sucking skills.
Many parents find this particular pacifier works best for their breastfed babies, and the easy-clean one-piece pacifier shape adds to its popularity. You can also get your child the notched shield soother instead of the original round shield for extra comfort around the nose.
Pros:
- Highly accepted pacifiers for breastfed babies due to close resemblance to mom’s nipple
- One-piece construction
- Made from 100% natural rubber; latex-free, BPA-free, phthalate free, PVC free, parabens free, no added chemical softeners nor colorings
- Soft nipple that won’t leave marks on baby’s face
- Nipple comes in rounded or orthodontic shape
Cons:
- May not be suitable for latex allergic babies
- Not as durable compared to other pacifiers
Ryan & Rose Cutie PAT Pacifier
If you are looking for a soother that acts as both a pacifier and a teether ring, look no further than this PAT pacifier by Ryan & Rose. This pacifier is made with 100% medical grade silicone that is latex, PVC, BPA and phthalate free, so you can be assured of its safety.
One-piece design makes cleaning a breeze, and it is also top rack dishwasher safe. The nipple retracts to become a teether toy. The large round shield allows for older babies to chew on more surface though it can be too big for some newborns instead.
The shield has two breathing holes for ventilation, and you can also attach their Cutie pacifier clip to them. Parents can choose from five types of nipple shape depending on whether they are getting the pacifier for a teething or non-teething baby.
Pros:
- Simple, stylish design made from medical grade silicone
- 2-in-1 design that acts as a pacifier and teether ring
- Large vent holes for skin to breathe and easy pacifier clip attachment
- Large shield for chewing
- Easy to clean, dishwasher safe
Cons:
- May easily catch hair, fuzz and lint
- The tiny print on the pacifier faces the baby, which some babies may find irritating and likely to reject the pacifier
Philips AVENT Soothie Pacifier
The Philips Avent soothie pacifier is the selected best pacifier distributed by hospitals, and it’s for a good reason – this pacifier is sized for babies from newborn to three months and is safe as the first soother as it’s made from hospital-grade silicone. This pacifier is regarded orthodontic in supporting baby’s development of teeth and gums, except the nipple isn’t of the usual rounded top with flattened bottom orthodontic shape.
One thing for sure is that, this pacifier sports a thick, strong nipple for durability. You can toss it into the dishwasher and sterilizer for cleaning, and you don’t have to deal with discolored, misshapen or sticky pacifier with this.
Pros:
- One-piece medical grade silicone pacifier well-loved by hospitals and parents
- Strong nipple for longer lasting pacifier use
- Dishwasher friendly and sterilizer safe
- Collapsible, symmetrical nipple helps with teeth and gum development
- Parents can insert finger in pacifier to help baby latch on
Cons:
- Top-heavy nipple design may cause the binky to fall out more frequently than other models
- There have been reports of thinner counterfeit models
NUK Orthodontic Pacifier
Want a simple, no-frills design for your baby’s orthodontic pacifiers? The NUK pacifier may be what you are looking for!
Soft silicone, mono colored, and sized nicely for a newborn’s mouth, you can trust this brand to deliver a truly comfortable soothing experience. One of the best pacifiers for breastfed babies in the market, this pacifier comes with a shield that is inspired by mom’s breast when breastfeeding, which makes for a fuss-free transition between the breast and pacifier.
The shape of the binky also fits baby’s palate thus reducing the occasion of the pacifier falling out. The groove at the top of the pacifier’s heart-shaped shield allows for easy breathing. This could easily become your newborn’s favorite pacifier.
Pros:
- Simple, comfy, easy-clean orthodontic design
- Soft silicone pacifier is shaped to mimic mother’s breast
- Designed for newborns
- Heart-shaped shield leaves the nose to breathe freely
- Water does not get trapped when cleaning unlike other models
Cons:
- Pacifier may be a fuzz magnet
- Hard to find when pacifier falls out, especially at night
Evenflo Feeding Balance
With the Evenflo Feeding Balance Cylindrical Pacifier, your little one will be well on their way towards enjoyable soothing session while training healthy sucking habits. The soother’s design encourages baby’s tongue to move in a way that mimics what they would do when feeding from the breast, thus reducing pacifier nipple confusion.
Made from food-grade super soft silicone that is 100% free of PVC, polycarbonates and phthalates, this pacifier for breastfed babies is set to ensure a comfortable yet safe sucking for babies aged 0 to 6 months. Vent holes on the shield allows for good ventilation around baby’s mouth. The flexible yet lightweight construction also discourages mouth fatigue, making the pacifier stay longer in the mouth.
Pros:
- Promotes natural tongue position similar to breastfeeding
- 100% soft silicone of food-grade quality
- No PVC, polycarbonates and phthalates in pacifier makes for safer sucking
- Easy to clean one-piece design with integrated vent holes for ventilation
- Has an easy to grip handle
Cons:
- Clear design makes it difficult to find when it gets lost
- May be heavy for newborns
Itzy Ritzy Sweetie Pacifiers
Itzy Ritzy Sweetie Soother Pacifiers are one-piece pacifiers that were designed to help soothe fussy babies. Each one features a unique and cute design which you can use to match your baby’s pacifier with his/her outfit. With its 2 extra-large air holes, your baby will remain safe even when sucking for prolonged periods of time.
Adding to its safety is the use of 100% food-grade and latex-free silicone that’s highly durable and soft enough to make it comfortable for sucking. Each binky is also dishwasher-safe which make cleaning and sterilizing baby’s binky easier and hassle-free, which is also the reason it is one of the best pacifiers for breastfed baby.
Pros:
- Available in different designs that are cute as well as functional
- Made from 100% food-grade, latex-free, soft silicone that meets ASTM safety standards
- With 2 large vent holes for increased ventilation and breathability
- Highly durable and comfortable design
- Dishwasher-safe and can be sterilized with a microwave steam sterilizer bag
Cons:
- Doesn’t last long if your baby bites it, not for teething babies
- May collect hair and lint easily
Chicco PhysioForma Pacifiers
As one of the more recognizable brands in the baby product industry, Chicco’s PhysioForma pacifier was developed with the help of medical professionals to ensure the quality and safety of their product. This pacifier features a clinically tested design that supports your baby’s breathing as well as their oral development while sucking on it.
Each pacifier is made from 100% BPA- and Latex-free hygienic silicone that makes it safe for use when soothing your little one. You can get this in 3 different sizes – 0-6 months, 6-12 months and 16-24 months, though we recommended this for older breastfed babies as the paci size can be quite big and not so newborn-friendly compared to other pacifiers.
Pros:
- Has a scientifically-backed design that promotes healthy oral development and supports your baby’s breathing
- Features an extra-soft BPA- and latex-free silicone nipple that doesn’t just soothe your baby but allows him/her to remain comfortable while doing so
- Comes with a convenient sterilizing case for easy and hassle-free cleaning and sterilization
- Has ventilation holes that help circulate the air, reducing the build-up of moisture on your baby’s sensitive skin
- Features a big handle that’s easy enough to grasp for your baby
Cons:
- The sizes can run bigger than expected
- May collect hair and lint easily
Tommee Tippee Closer to Nature Everyday Pacifiers
Based off the company’s bottle nipples design, the Tommee Tippee Closer to Nature Everyday Pacifiers features a traditional shield style design which is perfect for your baby’s everyday use. It has a symmetrically-shaped orthodontic nipple that was designed to help promote proper oral development in growing babies.
The reversible design of the nipple also makes it easier for your baby to insert the pacifier by himself/herself correctly. Each pacifier uses a BPA-free silicone nipple that ensures the safety of your baby’s health while sucking on the pacifier.
Pros:
- Features a symmetrical and orthodontic design that helps with proper oral development
- Uses a BPA-free silicone nipple for increased safety
- Has a reversible design which makes it easy for baby to insert it in his/her mouth himself/herself
- Designed with the everyday use of your baby in mind
- Models for babies aged 6 to 18 months are available as well
Cons:
- Can be difficult to thoroughly clean
- Not durable for babies to bite, gnaw or chew
The Pros and Cons of Pacifiers for Breastfed Babies & Newborns
The use of pacifiers for babies and newborns, especially breastfeeding ones, is considered controversial among many parents because of the strong opinions about it. However, studies have shown that, like with anything, using pacifiers can have both advantages and disadvantages for your child.
Check out the pros and cons of pacifiers for your baby.
The Benefits:
- Can help reduce the risk of SIDS or sudden infant death syndrome.
- Offers temporary distractions from events like blood tests, shots, and other medical procedures.
- Can help soothe fussy babies, especially during flights.
- Can help babies fall asleep faster at night.
- Pacifiers are easily replaceable.
The Drawbacks:
- Early use can interfere with breastfeeding and cause nipple confusion.
- Babies can become dependent on it, especially if always used at night.
- Can lead to dental issues in teething babies with prolonged use.
A Note About Pacifier Nipple Confusion
Pacifier nipple confusion is a phenomenon where babies get fussy when offered the breast and have preference for the pacifier over the breast.
The baby may find that the nipple of the pacifier feels different from the breast, causing him or her to become confused. The child may begin sucking on the pacifier instead of drinking from the breast. This can lead to poor weight gain for the child and cause problems with breastfeeding.
The best way to fix this issue is to ensure that your baby is properly introduced to both nipples until he or she is able to differentiate between them. You should also be sure not to offer a pacifier while breastfeeding, because it could lead back into confusion.
Additionally, giving your child a paci nipple shape that closely resembles the mother’s nipple also helps the baby feel like they are sucking on the breast, even if they are just sucking on an artificial nipple for comfort.
If you’re worried about the disadvantages presented by pacifiers, here are the things you can do to avoid them:
- Wait 3-4 weeks after initially breastfeeding them to use a pacifier.
- Only offer a pacifier between or after feedings.
- Don’t coat it with sweet substances. Pacifiers are supposed to be used as they are – coating them with flavors will lead to unhealthy binky habits and dental problems in your teething child later on.
- Choose a one-piece and washable model and keep backups at hand. Some babies may tend to spit out pacifiers a lot so having a one-piece easy-wash design makes cleaning a tad less stressful.
- Always keep it clean. You don’t want your little one to ingest dirt or bacteria accidentally.
Conclusion
The aforementioned pacifiers are just some of the ones available on the market these days. Taking into account the factors needed to be considered when choosing the best pacifiers for breastfeeding baby, the MAM Night Orthodontic Pacifiers would have to be my top pick.
It features everything your baby will need for proper oral development and it’s developed by developmental psychologists and pediatric dentists as well. I adore the glow-in-the-dark feature for added convenience, plus this model is easy to clean and looks cute!
Pacifiers can be beneficial to your breastfeeding baby when used correctly and as you and I both know, parenthood is a rewarding but still difficult endeavor without some help. Nevertheless, all the other pacifiers on this list also have a lot to offer and it really just boils down to your baby’s preference. After all, they will be the ones using it and don’t we just want the best for our child?
—
Last update on 2024-08-27 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
