Expert-Approved Pacifiers to Help Soothe Your Baby

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Sometimes the only thing that will help calm your fussy baby is the right pacifier. But pacifiers aren't just good at soothing your baby and giving parents a few minutes of peace — it turns out that they have many other benefits for babies as well, like the potential to help prevent Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS). But which is the right one for your baby? Take a stroll down the baby aisle at any store and you’ll see that just like so many other parenting products, the market is flooded with countless pacifiers that promise to soothe our little ones. With so many options, it can be difficult for parents to know which pacifiers are worth trying. We spoke to the experts and searched high and low to find the best pacifiers that comfort babies and even improve their development. Whether you're buying for your little one, or you're gifting it to an expecting parent, there's likely a binky here for you!

The Best Pacifiers

• Best Overall: Mam Perfect Night

• Best for Newborns: Phillips Avent Soothie

• Best Rubber: Naturesutton Ortho Flow

• Best Small: Dr. Brown’s HappyPaci

• Best for Breastfed Babies: Nanobébé Baby Pacifier

What to Consider

Dr. Joseph Salim, D.M.D. of Sutton Place Dental Associates, tells us that pacifiers help facilitate breast or bottle milk feeding for your little one down the road, and that “the use of a baby pacifier can help develop the ability to suck and swallow, even in premature babies who are not yet able to latch onto the breast.” There are a few things you need to think about when you’re buying a pacifier, and that’s material and shape, and how you clean it. Babies love to fling their pacifier into outer space, so cleaning? It’s a must.

Material and Shape

According to Salim, the best pacifiers are made of silicone, which can be easily sterilized. But since they're fragile, he notes that you should replace pacifiers every 6 months or so. Another great material you can get is natural rubber, which tends to be more durable and good for babies with teeth. The shape is all about preference — do they prefer the bulbous-tipped pacifiers or the more straight shapes? Regardless of their preference, it's important you buy the right size for your child as they get older, for both comfort and safety.

Cleaning

The outside of your baby’s pacifier should be stable, sturdy, and easy to disinfect. This gets tricky with pacifiers like the Wubbanub, which are made of fabric and machine-washable. For fabric pacifiers, simply place them into a lingerie bag and wash them with your laundry. They don’t need to be washed after each use — only the rubber pacifier portion does, which can be easily dipped in boiling water or washed with dish soap and water.

How We Selected

Dr. Salim says that pacifiers should only be used through age 2 to prevent dental, breathing, and orthodontic problems for the child later on. Other than that, they’re really a great product that parents should feel encouraged to use liberally.

Our team has researched the best pacifiers using the advice of Dr. Salim and through personal experience with our own children and the children close to them. We’ve also combed through reviews and side-by-side comparisons to determine the best pacifiers for every baby.

Perfect Night Pacifiers (2-Pack)

If you’ve ever searched for a lost pacifier in your baby’s crib while the room is pitch black and your baby is screaming, you know that there is some sort of magic in a pacifier that glows in the dark. Also, the vented shield allows air to flow between the pacifier and your baby’s face cutting down on chapped skin at night.

One game-changing element is this pacifier's thin, flexible nipple. The smaller design allows for babies to exert less effort sucking, which can make the experience more comfortable for them.

Another great feature, the carrying case doubles as a sterilizer that can be placed in the microwave. These lovely binkies are the perfect nighttime companion. Plus, they're also totally adorable. They make an absolutely sweet addition to any gift. We like the idea of tying it on top of the gift like a bow!

Mam consistently makes some of the best baby products that we test, and this pacifier is proof of that.

Soothie Pacifier (4-Pack)

Here’s a handy parenting tip: buy roughly 500 of these pacifiers. Since they come in a 4-pack, you can stock up and keep a few in your diaper bag, your glove compartment, your partner's glove compartment, your parents' house, or your living room... Seriously–just put them anywhere you and your baby may end up.

These are perfect-sized pacifiers for newborns — but babies have the unique ability to spit them out like a cannon across the room and under couches, never to be seen again. Because of the one-piece construction, these pacis are easy to clean, but holding onto the small tab is awkward for parents and for babies.

Butterfly Ortho Small Natural Rubber Pacifier

Because this pacifier is made of natural rubber, it’s particularly durable but also soft on baby’s sensitive gums. The ring on the outside is nice for the baby to hold onto, without having any mechanisms that trap food. These pacifiers are the most expensive on the list, but the unique orthodontic shape might make it worth it for your baby's needs.

It comes in four different styles for a more custom fit for your little one; the butterfly shield ensures extra space for your baby's nose breathing, the round shield is made to rest against your kiddo's nose for a soothing effect, the orthodontic design supports proper jaw and teeth development, and the rounded nipple mimics a natural breast.

When it’s time to clean the paci, it can be tossed in the dishwasher without a problem or it can be cleaned with gentle soap and water.

More: Best Teethers for Babies

HappyPaci 100% Silicone Pacifier (3-Pack)

If your baby is already using Dr. Brown’s bottles, give this pacifier a try. Since the nipple is a similar shape, the transition from the bottle to the pacifier could be an easy one. It has a handle that can be looped through a pacifier holder, and they're dishwasher-safe, inexpensive, and built for little mouths. Plus we love that it comes with 3 in a pack because you can never have enough pacifiers on the ready.

Baby Pacifiers (0-3 Months, 2-Pack)

Dr. Salim says that these are the best baby pacifiers for breastfeeding babies. They really conform to baby's mouth in a way that isn't so different from nursing. The paci is soft, lightweight, and the ergonomic shape makes it easy for baby to keep it in their mouth. The exterior rim is extra soft and gentle, so it isn't jarring to babies used to the breast. This pacifier is dishwasher-safe, but be sure to keep it on the top rack.

Infant Pacifier

The parenting editor at Best Products swears by these baby pacifiers but notes that while they tend to stay put — especially very tactile babies — they get absolutely disgusting after a while, so she cautions parents to buy several (or register for a bunch). Babies love them, and the design is pretty beneficial for parents, too. Instead of searching for a tiny pacifier when your baby drops it, you can look for a cute duck or soft cow instead.

The good news is that they can be thrown in the washing machine, so they aren't hard to clean. But if this is the only pacifier your baby will take, you’ll want to make sure you have a bunch of backups since they can get a bit gnarly and need replacing every 4 to 6 months.

Plus, how cute are these as a gift?

Sweetie Soother Pacifier (2-Pack)

This fully silicone newborn pacifier has a subtly different shape from the others on the list. It doesn't have such a pronounced tip, which might be more comfortable for some babies, like our parenting editor's child, who had a tongue tie.

While your baby probably won’t appreciate the lovely color options of this pacifier, we sure do. Plus the different handle options —braided or bowed — make taking pictures of your baby with the pacifier in their mouth even cuter... if that’s possible.

Original Natural Rubber Pacifier

If your toddler needs a larger pacifier and you're looking for the best rubber option out there, here’s our pick: the toddler version of the pacifier that tops our list. It's soft, natural, and easy for littles to pop in and out on their own.

Four style options account for your baby's unique tastes and will check off items on your wish list, as well. The orthodontic design could be especially useful for toddlers developing teeth.

It’s made for kids ages 12 months and up and since your toddler will probably drop this paci on the ground at the grocery store, at the playground, and in restaurants, you’ll be glad you can pop it in the dishwasher for a quick cleaning.

Orthodontic Pacifier, 18-36 Months (2-Pack)

These pacifiers are designed for older kids. The size and handle make the transition to this pacifier easy for toddlers. The design is nice because it allows for open airflow around the mouthpiece while still being a safe pacifier. Plus, it comes in some of the cutest patterns. Since these pacifiers are affordable, you can stock up for your little one.

Camo Pacifier, 16 Months and Older (2-Pack)

Toddlers are weird about pacifier shapes, and this one has a slightly different, more oblong shape than the MAM above, which your toddler might prefer. It comes with the same ventilated shield that's beneficial for nose breathing, and a self-sterelizing case that can be used in the microwave.

You may notice that if their favorite pacifier as a baby is MAM, then they're going to prefer it as a toddler. Which is great because these pacifiers are easy to find. If you're out with your toddler and you forgot their pacifier, it’s easy to pop into a drugstore or a big box store and find this brand.

Cutie PAT Silicone Pacifier Teether

Teething babies are absolutely miserable, and if their usual pacifier is irritating their sensitive gums, this option can pull double duty as a paci and a teether.

Every part of this silicone pacifier is designed to be chewed on. From the nubby handle, the thick, round shield, and the nipple. Plus you’ll get five different design options in the starter pack for your baby to try. Hopefully one gives them some relief until it’s time for another tooth to come in.

Jewl Silicone Orthodontic Pacifier (4 pack)

If you’ve tried all of the usual suspects but your baby is just not into those pacifiers, it’s time to change up the shape. Developed by a pediatric dentist, this pacifier nipple is shaped like a gem and it’s designed to help gently place your baby’s tongue into proper position. The single-piece construction is super easy to clean and we love the color options.

Notched NICU Soothie Pacifier

The Phillips Notched NICU Soothie Pacifier is designed specifically for premature babies who may find a regular pacifier too heavy and too overwhelming. This is the pacifier that hospitals will give to babies born before 34 weeks, and it’s a wonderful option for soothing even the littlest of cuties.

Ecopacifier Natural Rubber Pacifier

Made of 100% pure rubber that’s sustainably grown in Malaysia, this pacifier is completely biodegradable. The rubber is naturally durable so it’s a great option if your little one tries out their new teeth and chomps down on the pacifier. This one is on the pricier side and if you want to have a few around, it’s going to cost you.

Ultra-Light Silicone Pacifier (4-Pack)

If you have a drooly baby who has red and chapped cheeks, their pacifier may be doing more to irritate their skin than soothe them. Give this lightweight option from Tommee Tippee a try. Its curved design means that it doesn’t sit directly on your baby’s face and allows for airflow so your baby’s skin can heal better faster.

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