The Best Pacifiers for Breastfed Babies 2024

Is it the right time to introduce a pacifier to your breastfed baby? Dr. Joel 'Gator' Warsh, a board-certified pediatrician, says it's generally recommended to wait until breastfeeding is well established (around three to four weeks) before introducing a pacifier to a breastfed baby.

"This timing helps prevent nipple confusion and ensures that baby has developed a good breastfeeding latch," Dr. Gator tells Today's Parent. "However, every child's readiness varies, and parents should observe their baby's cues and comfort with breastfeeding before introducing a pacifier."

Pacifiers for breastfed babies are not significantly different from traditional pacifiers. Dr. Gator suggests they are designed to mimic a mother's nipple to reduce nipple confusion and promote proper latch.

"These pacifiers are typically narrower and contoured to fit the baby's mouth, supporting natural oral development. They can be helpful for both breast and bottle-fed babies." But of course, talk to your own doctor or lactation consultant first.

What to look for in the best pacifiers for breastfed babies

Dr. Gator recommends buying orthodontically designed pacifiers to support jaw and palate development — they have a soft, flexible nipple that mimics breastfeeding, and are made from safe, durable materials.

"A shape that resembles the natural form and feel of a mother’s breast is ideal," he says. "Orthodontic or contoured pacifiers that flatten slightly when sucked can be more similar to a mother's nipple during breastfeeding and are also recommended."

Additionally, Dr. Gator emphasizes the importance of features that promote easy sterilization and hygiene, such as being dishwasher safe, to reduce the risk of illnesses like thrush, ear infections, and gastrointestinal problems.

What are the best pacifier materials for breastfed babies?

Opt for those made from 100% medical-grade silicone, or natural rubber (if no latex allergy). And remember never to let your baby fall asleep with a pacifier in to reduce the risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS).

"Always check the product labeling for any mention of these harmful substances and choose brands that are transparent about the safety and composition of their products," he advises.

The best pacifiers for breastfed babies 2024

Searching for the perfect pacifier for your breastfed baby can be a real challenge. We've thoroughly scoured the internet to find the best pacifiers that parents swear by. Cost, materials, how easy they are to clean, shape, size, and ventilation holes were factored in to ensure our pacifier recommendations are spot on for your little one.

Best overall

NUK for Nature Simply Natural Pacifier

If you're searching for a top-quality pacifier, this is a fantastic choice. Designed to mimic the feel, fit, and movement of a mother's breast, it's crafted from soft, gentle silicone that's gentle on your baby's delicate skin.

These pacifiers are ideal for newborns up to six months old. The curved shield ensures a comfortable fit, gently curving away from your little one's face. Cleaning is a breeze, and the lightweight design allows the pacifier to stay securely in your baby's mouth without any problems. Just make sure your baby doesn't fall asleep with their pacifier in.

Pros

• Affordable price
• Innovative, effective nipple shape design
• Comfortable fit (mimics a mother’s breast)
• Single-piece pacifier
• Ideal for 0-6 months

Cons

• May catch hair and dust easily

Best breast-like design

Tommee Tippee Breast-Like Pacifier

For a breastfeeding mom, you want a pacifier that mimics your breast. This one from Tommee Tippee is perfect for that — it's made from super soft silicone that moves and stretches like real skin.

The symmetrical design features air holes, so it sits comfortably in your breastfeeding baby's mouth, even when they put it in themselves. It comes in two sizes, from 0 to 36 months, so it grows alongside your little one.

Pros

• BPA-free, silicone materials
• Air hole features
• Reusable Steriliser Pod
• Breast-like shape makes it easy to choose a pacifier for breastfed babies
• Symmetrical design ensures the pacifier is always placed correctly, even when self-inserted
• Available in 2 age stages from 0-36 months

Cons

• Nipple size is large/long
• Not ideal for all facial shapes

Best silicone

Philips AVENT Soothie Heart

Philips knows how to make great baby products — this pacifier is a perfect example. It's made of soft, flexible silicone in a one-piece design that's just the right size and shape for a baby's mouth.

But that's not all — this pacifier is designed for babies from three to 18 months old, and works with most pacifier clips. The curved heart shape won't bump against your little one's nose, while the firmer nipple is perfect for older babies. Since it's dishwasher-safe, cleaning is a breeze!

Pros

• Designed for babies 3-18 months
• Silicone, BPA-free
• Compatible with most pacifier clips
• Dishwasher safe
• The curved heart shape does not bump the baby's nose
• The stiffer nipple is designed for older babies
• Calms and soothes without inhibiting normal oral development

Cons

• Could be a choking hazard for babies under 3 months old

Link To Buy:

Best for teething

Munchkin Sili-Soothe & Teethe

MerchantThis pacifier and teether combo is a godsend for teething babies. The soft, flexible silicone soothes tender gums and teeth. Plus, it's dishwasher-safe, making cleanup a breeze. The pacifier and teether are attached, so your little one can easily find and use it when they need it!

Reviewers praise this pacifier's heavy-duty design. As one verified Amazon customer, Amy Rose, writes, "This comes in a pack of two, the silicone is BPA free as you would expect. Great color choices too. It’s safe for ages 3+ months or when they have a good sucking reflex."

Pros

• Soft, flexible silicone that's gentle on baby's gums and teeth
• Soothes teething babies
• Easy to clean and dishwasher-safe
• The pacifier and teether are attached, making them easy for babies to find and use

Cons

• Could be stiff for many babies preference

Link To Buy:

Best for dental development

MAM Variety Pack Baby Pacifier

This pacifier pack comes with three silicone pacifiers, which is a bonus. It's the top choice for supporting your baby's dental development. It has a symmetrical shape that's perfect for jaw and teeth development, so you can feel good knowing your baby's teeth are in good shape.

It's ventilated with a shield and wide openings that are always right-side up, providing maximum airflow to help prevent skin irritation. These pacifiers also have the added benefit of glowing in the dark, allowing you to easily find them at night without any fumbling or searching, enabling your baby to sleep more soundly.

Pros

• Glows in the dark
• Includes three pacifiers
• Ventilated and shielded design
• Symmetrical shape for jaw and teeth development
• Silicone material

Cons

• Traps moisture easily

Link To Buy:

Best for toddlers

Chicco PhysioForma 100% Soft Silicone Pacifier

The silicone pacifier is a top choice for toddlers in the teething stage. It has a large, easy-to-grip loop for the baby to hold, ventilation holes to promote air circulation and prevent saliva buildup, plus a curved nipple that evenly distributes tongue pressure. It even comes with a sterilizer case, to keep the pacifier clean and germ-free.

Sheyenne, a verified Amazon customer writes, "Great for toddlers that have teeth or are teething... the quality is great. A fussy baby can't chew holes in it. It helped my toddler breathe better while sleeping as well."

Pros

• 100% silicone
• Microwavable sterilizer case for easy cleaning
• Large, easy-to-grip loop for the baby to hold
• Gentle on skin
• Ventilation holes promote air circulation and prevent saliva buildup
• The lateral curve of the nipple evenly distributes the tongue's pressure against the palate

Cons

• Attracts dust easily

Link To Buy:

Experts

• Dr. Jole 'Gator' Warsh, a board-certified pediatrician and author of Parenting at Your Child's Pace: The Integrative Pediatrician's Guide to the First Three Years