A pacifier serves as a great way to comfort your baby, but for the best results, it needs to be a high-quality product. Pacifiers are designed to look and feel like a nipple, and they can be used to entertain and comfort your baby. Some babies prefer to suck on a nipple only while they’re eating, and others will want a pacifier after they’re finished feeding.
The best pacifiers are great for pacifying an irritated baby, and most products consist of three main parts. A typical pacifier has a ring, guard and nipple, and the guard is added to prevent your baby from taking the whole nipple into his or her mouth, which would create a serious choking hazard.
The ring gives you a convenient way to insert or remove the pacifier and eliminates the need to deal with drool. The nipple is the part that your baby will suck on, and it provides the familiar comfort that is enjoyed while feeding.
To find out if your baby needs a pacifier, there are some simple clues that you can watch for. Some babies continue to suck on a bottle after it’s empty, and this is a good sign that a pacifier will be useful.
If your baby sucks on your breast but doesn’t draw milk and gets angry when pulled away, then this is another sign that a pacifier is needed. When a baby needs a pacifier, you’ll notice frequent sucking on thumbs, fingers, toys or blankets.
Best Pacifiers Buyer’s Guide
Most pacifiers are available in two main types, and the first type is made with multiple parts. This product has three parts, and it consists of a nipple, guard and ring.
For most parents, it’s the perfect product because it covers every base. The second type of pacifier consists of a single piece, and it’s created from a single piece of molded plastic.
However, depending on the product, it might also be made from latex or silicone. The main advantage of this product is that it can’t come apart, and since it’s consists of a single piece, your baby is less likely to choke on it.
Novelty and Animal Pacifiers
Many parents purchase stuffed animal pacifiers because they appeal to most babies. These products combine a stuffed animal with a standard pacifier, and although these products have only been around for a few years, they’ve become very popular.
Novelty pacifiers are also quite common, and if you’re looking for a good laugh, a novelty pacifier is the way to go. These products can make your baby look like they have a mustache, which onlookers will find hilarious.
Some other popular novelty pacifiers create the appearance of crooked teeth and can be very funny to look at. A few other options are glowing and feeding pacifiers.
After your baby reaches six months, it might be time to consider a feeding pacifier, which can provide a frozen fruit flavor.
What to Look For When Buying A Pacifier
When shopping for these products, it’s important to consider the size. If your baby is six months or younger, then consider a small pacifier, and a medium size is perfect for babies between six to 18 months of age. A large pacifier is the best choice for babies older than 18 months, and you should know that different brands have different size specifications.
Products that are too big can create a choking hazard, and products that are too small might not be accepted by your baby. It’s important to pay attention to the materials used because you should always know what’s going into your baby’s mouth.
Another important consideration is the nipple material, and the two main materials used for the nipple are latex and silicone. Many parents prefer silicone because it’s easy to clean and less likely to retain unpleasant odors. Most silicone pacifiers can be washed in a dishwasher.
The second material is latex, and it’s much more flexible and softer than silicone. Although many babies prefer latex, it can wear out faster than silicone. To avoid losing pacifiers, it’s best to choose a product that is brightly colored.
WubbaNub Elephant Pacifier
The WubbaNub Elephant pacifier is a combination of a pacifier and stuffed animal. For convenience, it features a one-piece design, and it’s a functional, stylish product. With a patented design, this pacifier is easier for your baby to hold, and it’s commonly distributed in hospitals around the country.
For extra softness, the nipple is made from medical-grade silicone, and it’s free of PVC, BPA, latex and phthalate. This product is recommended for newborns through six months. However, it’s not a great choice for babies who’re teething.
Philips Avent BPA Free Contemporary Freeflow Pacifier
The Philips Avent pacifier is another popular choice, and the collapsible nipple features a convenient, enjoyable design. This product is designed to naturally work with your baby’s gums and teeth. Since the nipple is flat, it respects the shape of your child’s palate, and it’s made from durable silicone.
With no unpleasant tastes or odors, this product is accepted by most babies, and the nipple is strong and resistant to wear. The Philips Avent Freeflow pacifier comes with hygienic caps, and with six holes in the shield, it allows for better flow than other products.
The First Years GumDrop Newborn Pacifier
The First Years GumDrop pacifier is great for newborns, and it’s trusted by most hospitals. With a one-piece design, this product stays away from your baby’s small nose, and it’s also compatible with most pacifier attachment products.
The First Years GumDrop pacifier is sold as a pack of two, and when you can’t find one pacifier, you’ll have a clean replacement to use. For better safety, this product doesn’t contain phthalate, latex or BPA, and it’s available in bright colors.
MAM Glow in the Dark Night Orthodontic Pacifier
The MAM orthodontic pacifier can glow in the dark, and it’s made from silicone material. This product is also imported and designed for sensitive skin. With an open shield design, it allows for increased air flow, which will help keep your baby comfortable.
The MAM pacifier features a symmetrical orthodontic nipple, and it’s a great choice for baby’s teeth and jaw development. For maximum air circulation, this pacifier has several small openings, and the textured surface feels like a real nipple.
The button is easy to hold, and since this pacifier glows in the dark, it’s much easier to find at night. The anti-slip texture keeps it in baby’s mouth, and the small openings allow for easier breathing.
Other posts on Consumerexpert.org
Best Toys & Gifts For 1 year old Girl
NUK Newborn 100% Silicone Orthodontic Pacifier
The NUK Newborn pacifier is made from 100 percent silicone, and with a one-piece construction, it poses less of a risk for choking.
This product features soft silicone, and the nipple is shaped for a better fit in your baby’s mouth. Since it has an orthodontic design, it encourages healthy teeth alignment and oral development.
A scooped nipple cavity allows for maximum tongue movement, and it has integrated channels for reduced palate pressure. The shield is shaped like a heart and prevents irritation, and it can fit easily under a baby’s nose.
Wubbanub Infant Pacifier – Baby Penguin
This is another pacifier from Wubbanub, and it’s a combination of a pacifier and stuffed animal. With one-piece construction, this product is stylish and functional. The patented design makes it easy for baby to grab, and it’s used in many NICU units and hospitals.
With medical-grade silicone, this pacifier is safe for most babies, and it’s free of PVC, phthalate, latex and BPA. The Wubbanub Penguin pacifier is a popular choice for infants up to six months, and it’s designed for safety.
Tommee Tippee Closer to Nature Fun Pacifier
This pacifier is made with an improved nipple, and depending on baby’s preferences, you can swap it out with different shield styles. Since the nipple on this pacifier is more like a bottle, it feels much more realistic and can be enjoyed by your child.
The nipple features an orthodontic shape, and it’s easier for babies to hold in their mouth. The symmetrical design improves balance, and the unique nipple design makes this product much more appealing to most babies.
Philips Notched Newborn Soothie Pacifier Green
The Philips Notched Soothie pacifier comes in a pack of two, and it can be very useful for calming and comforting a newborn child. Since it’s dishwasher safe, it’s easy to clean and can be sterilized.
This product is recommended for babies up to three months, and it promotes the natural development of gums and teeth. When used for newborn babies, it provides a superior fit, and it’s commonly used in hospitals because of its safety and effectiveness.
Dr. Brown’s One-Piece Silicone Pacifier Blue 3 Pack
The Dr. Brown’s pacifier is made with medical-grade silicone and features a safe, lightweight design. The nipple is designed to match what would be found on a bottle, and it’s made for comfort.
The contoured shield is shaped like a butterfly, and it curves away from your child’s face. It offers plenty of room for your baby’s nose and cheeks, and for easier cleaning, it can be washed in the dishwasher. For an easier transition, this pacifier is made with the same shape as Dr. Brown’s bottle nipple.
Joovy Silinoogie Pacifiers, Night Glow
The Joovy Silinoogie pacifier is designed with soft silicone material, and the shield is made to fit comfortably under baby’s nose.
This product will reduce pressure on your child’s face, and the nipple shape allows for an easy transition from breasts, bottles and pacifiers. The Joovy Silinoogie pacifier doesn’t absorb tastes, stickiness or odors, and for maximum safety, it doesn’t contain latex, BPA or BPS.