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Finding the best pacifiers for breastfed babies just got a lot easier!
I have rounded up the best pacifiers on the market to help soothe your breastfed baby. There are so many positive things about pacifiers for breastfed babies.
Two exciting examples of the positive benefits of pacifiers for breastfed babies are:
1. Effective at preventing finger and thumb-sucking habits from developing
2. Effective at soothing your baby to sleep at night so they can get as much rest as possible
I’ve also included a Bonus Section of frequently asked questions that new moms might have about using pacifiers. Be sure to read through the questions and answers below to help you get the most up-to-date medical info to guide your decision on finding the perfect pacifier!
Also, here’s a Pro Tip from a mom of two! You might want to buy a couple of pacifiers at once to use a trial-and-error approach to see which one your baby prefers. If you previously had success with one particular pacifier for your older child, there is no guarantee that future children will prefer the same one. Every baby is different!
So, let’s get right into it!
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- The 8 Best Pacifiers for Breastfed Babies at-a-Glance
- FAQs for the Best Pacifiers for Breastfed Babies
- 1. Best Pacifier for Breastfed Babies
- 2. Best Pacifier for Newborn Babies
- 3. Best Pacifier with One Piece Design
- 4. Best Pacifier with Different Sizes
- 5. Right Pacifier for Oral Development
- 6. Baby Pacifiers for Breastfed Babies with Soft Nipple
- 7. Best Silicone Pacifiers Made with BPA-Free Silicone
- 8. Great Choice for Orthodontic Pacifiers
- Final Thoughts on the Best Pacifiers for Breastfed Babies
Don’t forget! Pin this post to Pinterest to read again later!
The 8 Best Pacifiers for Breastfed Babies at-a-Glance
FAQs for the Best Pacifiers for Breastfed Babies
1. Does pacifier use cause nipple confusion?
What is nipple confusion exactly? Exclusively breastfed babies are only used to latching on to their mother’s nipples. The fear behind nipple confusion is that giving the baby a pacifier (or supplemental bottle) may contribute to an incorrect latch while breastfeeding and hinder breastfeeding success.
There have been studies done to examine this exact theory of nipple confusion, and recent studies have not found evidence of nipple confusion among term infants.
Here are a couple of the studies and their outcomes:
In the August 2016 study Effect of restricted pacifier use in breastfeeding term infants for increasing duration of breastfeeding, two trials involving 1,302 infants were analyzed. Infants who were given pacifiers and had unrestricted access to the pacifiers were compared against infants who were not given pacifiers. The outcome saw no significant difference in the proportion of infants who were exclusively breastfeeding at 3 and 4 months of age. Based on this meta-analysis, pacifier use did not decrease the breastfeeding duration of infants born full-term.
In the July 2022 study Pacifier use and breastfeeding in term and preterm newborns-a systematic review and meta-analysis, pacifier use was assessed with breastfeeding success in term and preterm newborns. Ten studies (5 term and 5 preterm newborns) were analyzed for breastfeeding rates at 2, 3, 4, and 6 months. The success rates of breastfeeding for term newborns were similar for restricted versus free pacifier use. Therefore, the analysis concluded that pacifiers should not be restricted in term newborns and it is not associated with lower breastfeeding success rates.
2. What does the American Academy of Pediatrics advise about pacifiers?
The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends a pacifier shield be firm, have ventholes, and measure at least 1.5 inches across so it does not pass completely into the mouth. However, current guidance suggests that parents wait until their newborn is around 3 to 4 weeks before introducing a pacifier. Wait until breastfeeding has been established before introducing a pacifier.
3. Will pacifier use increase my baby’s risk of SIDS?
The AAP recommends offering your baby a pacifier during bedtime due to its protective effect on the incidence of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). If the baby resists a pacifier at bedtime, do not try to force it. According to the AAP, the risk of sudden infant death syndrome is reduced when using a pacifier to help soothe your baby. Some safety guidelines state to remove the pacifier from the crib once the baby spits it out. Use a one-piece silicone pacifier to prevent the pacifier from coming apart into pieces. If you have a 7 or 8-month-old baby, here are some baby sleep tips to help your baby:
4. What does the American Dental Association say about pacifiers?
Be sure to watch for signs of wear and tear on your baby’s favorite pacifier. Pacifiers that become sticky after washing should be thrown out and replaced. An interesting fact is that children who started using an orthodontic pacifier before four months old had a lower risk of developing a finger or thumb-sucking habit compared to children who began after four months.
1. Best Pacifier for Breastfed Babies
Philips AVENT Soothie Pacifier
This Philips AVENT Soothie Pacifier for 0-3 months comes in a 4-pack and is an exceptional choice for your baby’s first pacifier. It has an orthodontic design and is made with BPA-free silicone.
The nipple has a cylindrical shape and it’s a great choice for oral development of newborn babies. By ordering this set of 4 pacifiers, you can easily replace pacifiers that need to be thrown out at a moment’s notice.
In addition, you can also spread out the 4 pacifiers in different locations in your home, car, stroller, and diaper bag. You can’t go wrong with this solid choice for newborns! Available in multiple colors.
2. Best Pacifier for Newborn Babies
MAM Pacifiers
MAM Pacifiers for 0 to 3-month-old babies are perfect for newborn babies that are breastfed. The pack of 2 pacifiers comes in two different colors that can be easily placed in the included sterilizer case.
The shape and texture of these pacifiers are generally well-accepted by young babies. The pacifier nipple matches the shape of an actual nipple very closely. Available in multiple colors.
3. Best Pacifier with One Piece Design
Ryan & Rose
The Ryan & Rose Cutie PAT Pacifier Teether is a unique one-piece design including a built-in teether. They are made of medical-grade silicone and they provide excellent teething relief.
The pacifiers are easy to clean, durable, and soft. They also look cute in the baby’s mouth with the teether exposed. Ryan & Rose are high-quality pacifiers that do not compromise safety for an aesthetic design. Available in multiple colors.
4. Best Pacifier with Different Sizes
Tommee Tippee Closer to Nature
The Tommee Tippee Close to Nature breast-like pacifier has a skin-like texture that is well received by breastfeeding infants. The breast-like comfort and symmetrical design make sure that there is no wrong side up in the baby’s mouth.
It is silicone, BPA-free, and comes in two different sizes: 0-6 months and 6-18 months. These binkies are easy to clean, durable, and a great value for your money. Available in multiple colors.
5. Right Pacifier for Oral Development
NUK Pacifier
This 6-pack of NUK Pacifiers for 6 to 18-month-olds is a good idea for promoting oral development. The orthodontic nipple shape helps at promoting a natural fit into the baby’s palate. The shield is heart-shaped and fits perfectly under the baby’s nose for easy breathing.
BPA-free and made of 100% medical grade silicone, these NUK Comfy Pacifiers are a great value for your money, soft, and easy to clean. They stay in the baby’s mouth and are lightweight.
Exclusively breastfed babies have had success in using these to keep calm when going on drives in the car, at bedtime, or walking around through stores. Available in multiple colors.
6. Baby Pacifiers for Breastfed Babies with Soft Nipple
Dr. Brown HappyPaci
The Dr. Brown HappyPaci 3-count set is made of 100% silicone and is BPA-free. The soft nipple is the same shape as Dr. Brown’s bottle nipple, which makes an easy transition to their pacifier if your breastfed baby has used this brand’s bottles in addition to breastfeeding.
These pacifiers are for 0 to 6-month-old babies and are fully symmetrical with a reversible bulb. The colors are really cute, and the pacifiers are easy to clean.
The pacifiers are known to not lose their soft nipple shape after being sterilized. Available in multiple colors.
7. Best Silicone Pacifiers Made with BPA-Free Silicone
First Years Gumdrop Newborn Pacifiers
The First Years Gumdrop Pacifier for newborns comes in a two-pack in a unique silicone design that stays clear of the baby’s nose.
Made with BPA-free Silicone, new parents can be at ease knowing that these pacifiers are a trusted hospital-distributed brand.
They feature a one-piece design and are very durable even when a baby tries to chew them. The silicone is thick and doesn’t get worn out as easily.
8. Great Choice for Orthodontic Pacifiers
Nanobebe Pacifier
The Nanobebe Pacifier for 0 to 3-month-olds is orthodontic and curves comfortably with face contour. It is an award-winning baby pacifier for breastfeeding babies.
These pacifiers are lightweight, easy to clean, and durable. They come in a 4 pack, which is great for replacing lost pacifiers or storing them in multiple locations. Available in multiple colors and different sizes.
Final Thoughts on the Best Pacifiers for Breastfed Babies
There are so many pacifiers out there to choose from and new parents are often overwhelmed with the choices. Moms of breastfed babies face the unique challenge of finding a pacifier their baby will take that mimics a mother’s natural nipple, especially in older babies that haven’t used a pacifier or bottle yet.
The most important things to look for in a pacifier for a breastfeeding baby are one-piece construction, easy cleaning, easy breathing, comfortable fit with no skin irritation on baby’s skin, and BPA-free materials made of silicone.
Some of the pacifiers are made with varying nipple shapes that will depend on your baby’s preference. Pacifiers that feature an orthodontic shape and orthodontic design are recommended by pediatric dentists. A symmetrical shape nipple is often the preference for babies and moms that don’t want to accidentally have the nipple the wrong side up in a baby’s mouth.
Once you find the perfect pacifier and pacifier clip after trial and error, you’ll find out what works best for your breastfeeding baby. The pacifiers listed above are not only the top choices for baby pacifiers out there today, but also are recommended by doctors, dentists, and lactation consultants.
If you found this post helpful, you may be interested in the following posts too:
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7 Month Old Sleep Schedule for Your Baby (And What to Expect)
8 Month Old Sleep Schedule for Baby (And Nap Routine)
I wish you the very best in your search for the perfect pacifier for your new baby, and I’m sure that you’ll find the right one!
