While pacifiers have been a controversial topic, the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends using one to lower the risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) (1). It’s important to choose a pacifier that is age-appropriate to avoid choking hazards or teeth misalignment.
To make your search easier, we have tested and compiled a list of our favorite pacifiers for newborns. In this article, we provide detailed information and reviews to help you find the perfect pacifier for your little one.
Our Top Picks
- Best Overall Pacifier: Chicco PhysioForma Soft Pacifier
- Best Pacifier For Breastfed Newborns: Philips AVENT Soothie Pacifier
- Best Orthodontic Pacifier: NUK Comfy Orthodontic Pacifier
- Best Pacifier For Babies Who Spit Them Out: Nanobebe Baby Pacifier
- Best Symmetrical Shape Pacifier: MAM Original Start Newborn Baby Pacifier
- Best Natural Pacifier: BIBS Natural Rubber Pacifier
- Best Pacifier For Sensitive Skin: Dr. Brown’s Advantage Symmetrical Pacifier
- Best Teething Pacifier: RaZbaby RaZberry Silicone Baby Teether Toy
- Best Pacifier For Preemies: Wee Thumbie
- Best Designed Pacifier: Itzy Ritzy Sweetie Soother Pacifier
In This Article
HappyBabyHub’s Best Pacifiers For Newborns Picks
Chicco PhysioForma Soft Pacifier – Best Overall Pacifier
- They are one-piece and are easy to clean
- 100% silicone and made in Italy
- Come with a sterilizer dish for the microwave
- Big easy loop for the baby to hold on to
- The clear ones are invisible in the crib at night
This one-piece, 100% silicone pacifier, the PhysioForma Soft Silicone Orthodontic Pacifier, is designed clinically to provide optimal comfort, breathing, and orthodontic benefits for your baby. Not only is it perfect for pacifying, but it also helps in facilitating physiological breathing by advancing the baby’s tongue to keep the airway open.
The nipple’s unique angle and lateral curvature are designed to evenly distribute tongue pressure over your baby’s palate, promoting proper tongue positioning. With the help of little ridges and an angled nipple shape, your baby’s palate and teeth can develop optimally.
The extra-soft silicone nipple is designed for comfort with a satin-textured surface, making it perfect for continuous calming by staying in your baby’s mouth. The pacifier also has numerous ventilation holes that promote airflow and help to reduce moisture accumulation on your baby’s delicate, soft skin. The simple-to-grasp handle can be held easily by both parents and babies.
Philips AVENT Soothie Pacifier – Best Pacifier For Breastfed Newborns
- Solid single piece
- Microwave-sterilizer friendly
- Holes for tying to strings
- Dishwasher tolerant
- The lighter pink colored ones will stain from darker baby food if you are slacking on washing them off right away
The Philips Avent Soothie pacifier is the go-to pacifier used in hospitals all around the nation to soothe and calm newborns. Recommended by the American Academy of Pediatrics, this one-piece pacifier is specifically designed and proportioned for infants between the ages of 0 and 3 months.
Soothie is carefully crafted to provide comfort and pacification without interfering with natural oral development, including the growth of teeth and gums. Its solid, smooth, transparent, and tasteless nipple won’t become sticky, unattractive, or deformed. This pacifier is made from hospital-grade, BPA-free, and latex-free silicone, ensuring its strength, comfort, and longevity. It can be sanitized in a sterilizer and is even dishwasher safe, making it incredibly easy to clean.
NUK Comfy Orthodontic Pacifier – Best Orthodontic Pacifier
- They are so cute and match different outfits
- Easy to clean
- Affordable
- Easy to hold
- The material they are made from does attract hair and lint so they can get dirty easily
These bad boys are made of 100% silicone and are designed to hug your little one’s face perfectly. The heart-shaped shield was specifically created to fit comfortably under the nose and keep your baby’s breathing steady.
But that’s not all! The breast-like nipple is perfectly shaped to fit your baby’s palate and aid in the healthy development of their teeth. The design mimics the shape of a mother’s nipple during nursing, making it an easy and natural transition for your little one from breast to pacifier and back. It is also made of BPA-free, medical-grade silicone that’s 100% safe for your baby.
Nanobebe Baby Pacifier – Best Pacifier For Babies Who Spit Them Out
- Super similar in shape to the ones they give you at the hospital
- Soft material
- Durable
- Very easy to clean
- There’s no ring or anything on the back which is less easy to nab out of their mouth if you’ve got a good little sucker
This pacifier is made with safe, BPA-free silicone, so you don’t have to worry about any harmful chemicals. The ergonomic design is made to fit perfectly against your baby’s nose and chin, providing a comfortable and secure feel.
Thanks to its ultra-soft silicone, your baby will feel soothed and relaxed from the very first use. And if your little one is prone to colic, you’ll love the innovative 360° double venting mechanism. It helps reduce air pressure during feeding, which can help ease colic symptoms.
MAM Original Start Newborn Baby Pacifier – Best Symmetrical Shape Pacifier
- They are small and don’t gag baby
- The shape is easy to grip
- They come with a nice storage box
- Cute design
- It doesn’t have a blowhole in the front
MAM orthodontic pacifiers feature an innovative nursing pacifier nipple that helps promote healthy oral development, giving you peace of mind when soothing your little one. The symmetrical nipple design ensures a precise fit in your baby’s mouth from any angle.
With an air channel included, these newborn pacifiers naturally flatten and stretch during use, just like a real nipple during breastfeeding. Made from SkinSoft textured silicone, MAM pacifiers are medically approved and feel lifelike and natural, just like mom. Plus, with a variety of shield sizes and pacifier shapes available, babies of all ages can find the perfect MAM pacifier to suit their needs.
BIBS Natural Rubber Pacifier – Best Natural Pacifier
- The shape is easy for a newborn to latch onto
- Curved design
- Fun colors
- Stays in mouth
- More expensive than other brands
This cherry-shaped nipple makes it a favorite among infants, and its shield is shaped like a mother’s breast for an optimal suction response during nursing. The nipple of this pacifier is made entirely of natural rubber latex, so it’s supple and flexible for your baby’s comfort.
A vent hole in the nipple helps it form a natural shape, while the shield’s convex shape promotes air circulation and ventilation to keep your baby’s delicate skin healthy. The shield is constructed from polypropylene (PP), a lightweight, durable plastic material that’s built to last.
Dr. Brown’s Advantage Symmetrical Pacifier – Best Pacifier For Sensitive Skin
- They glow in the dark
- Reversible so you don’t have to overly touch it to see if going in the right way
- Gorgeous design
- Easy to clip onto baby clothes
- Hard to get water out of the nipple after washing
With a unique reversible bulb, this pacifier can be popped into your little one’s mouth right-side up or upside down. Its symmetrical shape ensures a perfect fit, no matter which way it’s oriented. The bulb itself is made of 100% silicone, designed to be gentle and robust, satisfying your baby’s suckling urge. The special shield design allows plenty of air to circulate, reducing the risk of irritation to your baby’s delicate skin.
Advantage Pacifiers come in two stages, accommodating growing faces and changing needs as your baby develops. They’re also completely BPA-free, odorless, and tasteless, ensuring the utmost safety and comfort for your little one. Quick clean-up is a breeze with the top rack of the dishwasher, and for an extra level of cleanliness, they can be sanitized using hot water, a microwave, or an electric sterilizer.
RaZbaby RaZberry Silicone Baby Teether Toy – Best Teething Pacifier
- Easy for baby to hold
- Easy to clean
- They can be put in the freezer or fridge
- They don’t have anything that could be choked on
- Doesn’t stay cold for long
The RaZberry teether is a must-have for soothing your baby’s aching gums with its multi-textured surface. Its one-piece design is soft and made of silicone, which makes it easy to clean and hygienic for your little one. The teether’s loop handle shape is easy for your baby to grasp, and the pacifier-like shape allows for hands-free use.
For an added dose of relief, you can pop it in the freezer, and the silicone material will provide a cooling effect without becoming too hard. This popular teether with its fruity design is perfect for introducing your baby to the taste and texture of fruits.
Wee Thumbie – Best Pacifier For Preemies
- This is really for a very premature baby due to its size
- These are hospital-grade and packaged as such
- Easy to clean
- Easy to attach a clip to
- Might be too small for non-preemie
The Wee Thumbie is the first pacifier made exclusively for preemies with extremely low birth weights. It has a shape and size that closely resembles a preemie’s thumb, making it simpler for babies to develop the essential sucking reflexes that they typically learn in the womb.
The pacifier features a notched section that accommodates mechanical ventilation, CPAP tubing, or tube feeding. Its uniquely shaped nipple aids in keeping the pacifier in the baby’s mouth, while a small perioral guard keeps it in place and allows for the placement of nasal and oral tubes.
Itzy Ritzy Sweetie Soother Pacifier – Best Designed Pacifier
- Great for soothing and teething
- Convenient to hold with the bow handle
- The style is cute and unique
- Easy to clean
- They collect hair easily
These irresistible Itzy Ritzy pacifiers are the perfect blend of style and substance. Their delightful braided accents on the handle match the baby’s clothing, making them ideal for picture-perfect moments. Made entirely of durable, latex-free silicone, these pacifiers feature two large vent holes for optimal airflow and comply with ASTM standards to ensure your baby’s safety.
When attaching a pacifier to your baby, it’s best to secure it around the handle rather than through the air hole for added safety. This two-pack of PVC and BPA-free pacifiers, which comes in a charming dark gray and yellow color combination, is perfect for newborns and older babies alike, even those who are teething.
How To Choose The Best Pacifier For Newborns?
- Size: You’ll want to make sure the size is appropriate. Newborns have small mouths, so you’ll want to ensure the pacifier is small enough to fit comfortably. Just make sure it’s not too small of a choking hazard (2).
- Material: Latex or silicone are typically used for pacifier nipples. Although latex is usually gentler, some newborns may have sensitivities to it, so you should check for side effects when using it at an early age. The most often used material for pacifiers is silicone, which can be washed in the dishwasher.
- Shape: Nipple forms for pacifiers normally come in one of three varieties:
- Cherry nipples have a stem that curves into a ball at the end
- Regular nipples have a straight, cylindrical, elongated nipple
- Orthodontic nipples have a rounded top and a flat bottom. These are made to promote natural jaw movement and allow the tongue to move more freely and are preferred by certain pediatric dentists.
- Shield: The shield prevents your child from completely sucking the pacifier into their mouth, which poses a choking hazard. It must be substantial enough to stop it from happening. The shield should be at least 1.5 inches tall, which serves as a suitable standard (3).
What Are The Benefits Of Using Pacifiers?
There are several benefits to using a pacifier (4):
- Reducing the risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS)
- Providing comfort to babies
- Helping to soothe teething pain
- Pacifiers can also help to calm a fussy baby
- Can be a useful tool for parents to use when trying to establish a sleep routine
What Type Of Pacifier Is Best For Newborns?
The best type of pacifier for a newborn is one that is made of soft, pliable material and has a broad, flat base. This type of pacifier is usually the orthodontic one and will be more comfortable for your newborn and less likely to cause any irritation. Babies can suck on pacifiers, but unlike baby bottles, they are just used for comfort and not for feeding.
Can Newborns Choke On Spit Up With Pacifier?
Yes, newborns can choke on spit-up with pacifiers. When a baby’s pacifier falls out of their mouth, they may attempt to put it back in without first checking to see if it is wet with saliva or other liquids. If the pacifier is wet, it can easily slip back into the baby’s throat and cause them to choke.
When Should I Introduce A Pacifier?
Most experts recommended that parents wait to introduce a pacifier until after the baby is at least 3-4 weeks old (5). This gives the baby time to adjust to breastfeeding and helps to establish a good nursing relationship. Some parents choose to wait even longer until the baby is a few months old.
Can A Newborn Sleep With A Pacifier All Night?
It is generally safe for a newborn to sleep with a pacifier all night. However, you may want to consider taking the pacifier out of your baby’s mouth during the last few hours of sleep to avoid creating a risk for Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) (6).
How Long Should A Newborn Use A Pacifier?
Studies have shown that prolonged pacifier use can lead to dental problems, so it is generally recommended that parents wean their child off of the pacifier by age two or three (7). This is because prolonged use of pacifiers may cause changes in your child’s mouth or dental alignment (8).
Are Silicone Or Latex Pacifiers Better?
Silicone pacifiers are more durable and easier to clean, while latex pacifiers are more pliable and softer on the gums. Some parents prefer silicone pacifiers because they are less likely to cause irritation, while others prefer latex pacifiers because they are less likely to collapse when the baby sucks on them. Ultimately, the best pacifier for your baby is the one that they are most comfortable with.
Do Pacifiers Help With Gas?
While your infant won’t be able to release any trapped gas by sucking on a pacifier, it can ease some of their discomforts (9). Newborns find solace in pacifiers because research shows that sucking without eating can help babies cope with pain or discomfort. According to a study, using a pacifier helps babies swallow less air, which in turn lowered the quantity of gas they produced.
Do Pacifiers Help With Hiccups?
Yes, pacifiers can stop hiccups by calming the diaphragm muscle, which contracts uncontrollably when a bout occurs. Although they may be irritating, hiccups may actually be crucial to the growth of your child’s brain. By calming the diaphragm, pacifiers can help your child to focus on other tasks, like eating and sleeping, which are essential for brain development.
