13 Best Pacifiers for Breastfed Babies
If you’re a breastfeeding mom, you know that finding the right pacifier for your baby can be a challenge. Some pacifiers are designed to work with breastfeeding moms and babies, while others are not. In this blog post, we’ll discuss the best pacifiers for breastfeeding babies and provide some tips on how to find the right one for your little one.
*This post contains affiliate links, which means if you click on the link and make a purchase, I’ll earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. All opinions remain my own.
When I was breastfeeding my firstborn, I worried about whether I should even let her use a pacifier. I was nervous that my baby’s use of pacifiers would create nipple confusion and affect her ability to latch and breastfeed. It took some research and testing out different pacifiers but eventually I found one (#1) that allowed my daughter to go back and forth from the pacifier to my breast without issue.
You might also have to try a few pacifiers until you find one that your child will take. To save you time and help you find the perfect one, I put together a list below of pacifiers that are ideal for babies who are breastfeeding.
Recommended post: 11 Useful Pumping at Work Tips for Moms Returning to the Office
The Best Pacifiers for Breastfeeding Babies
If you’re looking to find the best pacifiers for breastfeeding babies, here are some options to try out:
1. MAM Night Pacifiers
- MAM Night Pacifiers are my personal favorite as both of my breastfed kiddos took to them without a problem and were able to go back and forth from breast to pacifier.
- I love that they’re glow in the dark, so you can always find them in your baby’s crib in the middle of the night.
- They also come in a lot of cute designs so they look adorable!
- The wide openings and curved shape of the pacifier give a lot of breathing room on your baby’s face.
- I also loved the practical sterilizing storage case it comes with, because you could add water in it and microwave to sterilize- perfect for when you’re traveling.
- Another plus of MAM Night Pacifiers is that they were developed by pediatric dentists. The symmetrical shape of the nipple is best for healthy oral development as it prevents pressure on incoming teeth.
- Another great MAM option is the MAM Mini Air Pacifiers.
2. Ryan & Rose Cutie PAT Pacifier
- The Ryan & Rose Cutie PAT pacifier is one of the most appealing pacifiers out there!
- Its design is not just cute, it’s also functional- your baby can use it as both a pacifier and a teether.
- Its nipple is soft and has a similar shape to a mom’s nipple.
- Many nursing moms recommend the Ryan & Rose pacifier for breastfeeding babies, stating that it did not cause any nipple confusion.
- It also comes in lots of beautiful neutral colors!
3. Nanobebe Baby Pacifiers
- Nanobebe Baby Pacifiers are ideal for a breastfed baby due to their soft, silicone feel that is almost skin-like.
- The Nanobebe has an ergonomic curved shape to fit snugly on your baby’s face and stay in place.
- This pacifier is safely made of BPA-free and phthalate-free materials and has a one-piece construction, as recommended by the AAP.
- It’s also easy to clean and dishwasher safe.
- The Nanobebe pacifiers come in 4 colors: pink, teal, white and grey.
- Breastfeeding moms reviewing the Nanobebe baby pacifiers state that they did not cause nipple confusion for their breastfed babies and were able to easily transition their babies from pacifier to breast.
4. Tommee Tippee Ultra-Light Silicone Pacifier
- As the name suggests, the best thing about Tommee Tippee Ultra-light Silicone Pacifier is that it’s super lightweight and comfortable, so your baby will wear it for longer.
- This pacifier is made out of a soft skin-like flexible silicone material, perfect for breastfed babies.
- It also has large holes for breathability and to prevent moisture buildup on your baby’s face.
- The Tommee Tippee pacifier has a curved shield so that it fits comfortably on your baby’s face.
- It’s 100% medical grade and BPA-free.
- The nipple has a symmetrical shape, so your baby will always have it right side up.
- It also has a one-piece design and is easy to clean in the dishwasher.
- Moms of breastfed babies highly recommend these pacifiers and claim their baby took to this pacifier right away!
5. Natursutten Pacifier
- While this pacifier might not be the most attractive, the Natursutten Pacifier, is made in Italy from natural rubber materials and eco-friendly.
- The rubber comes from the Hevea Brasiliensis tree, which is softer than most silicone mass produced pacifiers, making it soothing for your baby.
- The Natursutten Pacifier is ideal for breastfed babies because it mimics breastfeeding by gently touching your baby’s nose.
- This pacifier comes in one piece, without any gaps or cracks that would allow dirt to accumulate, and making it easy to clean.
- Best of all, the Natursutten Pacifier was created by a mom of three- all the more reason to support our fellow mom entrepreneurs!
- If you’re looking for a safe natural pacifier that is free of artificial ingredients, allergy causing materials, and harmful chemicals, then this is the pacifier for you!
Recommended post: How to Keep Breast Milk Frozen While Traveling: The Ultimate Guide
6. Tommee Tippee Breast-Like Pacifier
- The Tommee Tippee Breast-Like Pacifier was specifically made for breast-fed babies and it’s easy to see why.
- Unlike other pacifiers, the Tommee Tippee Breast-Like Pacifier doesn’t just mimic a nipple- the shield also mimics a mother’s breast.
- This pacifier is flexible, round, and feels just like a breast to help prevent nipple confusion.
- It has a unique shield shape which curves away from the baby’s face and airholes to allow ventilation and prevent irritation.
- The Tommee Tippee Breast-Like Pacifier also has a symmetrical design so that there is no wrong side up.
- These silicone pacifiers are taste-free, won’t retain any odors, and are safe to clean in either a dishwasher or a sterilizer.
7. Philips AVENT Soothie Pacifier
- Don’t be surprised if this pacifier looks familiar. The Philips AVENT Soothie Pacifier is distributed in hospitals all over the country and used by doctors and nurses to soothe newborn babies.
- The best thing about this pacifier is its unique design, which allows you to place your finger in the nipple so that you can help your newborn suckle.
- This pacifier is one piece and easy to clean and sterilize.
- The Philips pacifier is made of BPA-free and latex-free medical-grade silicone.
- Its symmetrical shape allows for your baby’s healthy oral development.
8. NUK Comfy Orthodontic Pacifiers
- The NUK Comfy Orthodontic Pacifier features the original NUK nipple shape, which was invented by pediatric dentists and doctors.
- The NUK nipple is modeled after the natural shape of a mom’s nipple, making it the perfect pacifier for breastfed babies.
- This pacifier has a heart-shaped shield to allow for easy breathing.
- It also comes with a reusable storage case that you can pop in the microwave and sterilize your pacifier in.
- The NUK pacifier is made of 100% soft silicone with a smooth contour shield to prevent marks on your baby’s mouth and face.
- This pacifier is an Amazon favorite for moms, with over 14,000 reviews and a 4.5 star rating as of the time of this writing.
9. RaZbaby RaZbuddy JollyPop Pacifier
- The RaZbaby RaZbuddy JollyPop Pacifier is another favorite that is often distributed to premature babies in the NICU at hospitals.
- They are super cute, and come with different plush animals that you can attach to the pacifier and your baby can cuddle with.
- Because the plush animal is detachable from the pacifier, you can easily clean the stuffy in the wash and sanitize the pacifier.
- The nipple is made of BPA-free silicone.
- However, you can also swap out the pacifier for another one that has a hook and will allow you to attach the stuffie.
10. MAM Comfort Pacifiers
- The MAM Comfort Pacifiers are similar to the other MAM pacifiers earlier on in this list. However, these are made to be light as a feather, so that it can stay in a newborn baby’s mouth.
- It has MAM’s SkinSoft nipple that is soft and familiar like mom.
- This pacifier’s nipple has a symmetrical shape, so that it’s always right side up.
- It also comes with a sterilizer box for easy cleaning.
- Finally, it has 4 large airholes to allow your baby’s face to breathe and prevent irritation.
Recommended post: 11 Best Breastfeeding Chairs for Your Nursery
11. BIBS Baby Pacifier
- I love the classic look of these BIBS pacifiers!
- The BIBS Baby Pacifiers are made in Denmark and are made of high quality materials.
- The shape and the soft material of the nipple closely imitates that of a mom’s breast, which is why breastfed babies love this pacifier.
- The BIBS pacifiers are made of natural latex and are 100% free of BPA, PVC and phthalates.
12. Evenflo Feeding Balance
- The Evenflo Feeding Balance pacifiers were developed in conjunction with pediatric feeding specialists.
- It was specifically designed to be a pacifier for breastfed babies, as the cylindrical shape promotes your baby’s natural tongue position when they are breastfeeding.
- They’re also made to be super lightweight and flexible to allow your baby to suck for long periods of time.
- These Evenflo pacifiers are also made of food-grade silicone and free of BPAs, Polycarbonates, PVC, and Phthalates.
13. Chicco PhysioForma
- Highly-regarded pacifier with reviewers raving about how great this pacifier is for breastfed babies!
- It has an exclusive nipple design meant to improve your baby’s quality of sleep and reduce irritability at night.
- Reviewers also love the pacifier’s small size, making it perfect for newborns.
Can Breastfed Babies Use Pacifiers?
Yes! It is OK to use a pacifier while breastfeeding. However, the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends to wait until breastfeeding has been established, about 3 to 4 weeks after birth, in order to introduce a pacifier. This will allow your baby to learn to latch, and allow you to feed your baby on cue and establish your milk supply.
Benefits of Using a Pacifier While Breastfeeding
Especially during the newborn period, babies have a sucking need (called “non nutritive sucking” when it’s not associated with feeding). It comes natural to babies from the time they’re in the womb and helps them feel comfortable and safe.
That’s why there are some great benefits to using a pacifier when breastfeeding:
- Sucking on something like a pacifier helps a baby calm down when they’re fussy, tired or upset.
- Pacifiers can help babies relax before or during feedings so they don’t get stressed out while trying to eat. While some babies are comforted by their mother’s presence, others need something else to help them relax before feeding time. Any item that babies associate with feeding time, like a pacifier, can help them relax.
- Pacifiers can assist with pain relief for stressful moments like getting their blood drawn or medical procedures.
- It’s also easier to control your baby’s use of a pacifier as opposed to thumb-sucking, which is much more difficult to wean off a child. With a pacifier, you simply throw the pacifier away when you’re ready, and your baby should adjust relatively quickly.
- Pacifiers are also used to improve weight gain in preterm infants as it helps stimulate a preemie’s ability to suck and feed.
- Pacifiers can also assist with a reduced risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). Studies have shown that using a pacifier during sleep can reduce SIDS by up to 90 percent.
However, it’s totally up to you whether or not to use a pacifier. Some babies do great with them, while others don’t (my second-born refused pacifiers after a few weeks). You know your child best and can decide if a pacifier is what you feel would be best for your baby.
Cons of Using a Pacifier
While there are some great reasons to give your baby a pacifier, here are some cons to keep in mind:
- Too-early pacifier use may cause “nipple confusion” between a real nipple and an artificial nipple. This may cause problems with your baby being able to latch onto your breast. For this reason, it’s best to follow AAP guidelines and wait until breastfeeding has been established and you have good milk supply before introducing a pacifier.
- Pacifiers are known to cause dental problems, like overbites and crooked teeth, if used for too long. The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry recommends weaning a child off of pacifiers by the age of 3.
- Studies have shown that babies over 6 months who use pacifiers are more prone to getting ear infections.
- Also, if not cleaned properly, pacifiers can carry harmful bacteria and increase your baby’s chances of getting an infection. That’s why it’s important to frequently wash and sanitize pacifiers to prevent the growth of bacteria.
While there are cons in giving your baby a pacifier, pediatric dentists recommend pacifiers over thumb-sucking.
And of course your breast might be the best option to satisfy a baby’s need to suck, but moms need a break too! Especially when you have sore nipples from breastfeeding, pacifiers are a great alternative.
Recommended post: Momcozy Lactation Massager Review: Breastfeeding Essential or Trendy Tool?
What to Look for in Pacifiers for Breastfed Babies
There are a few things to consider when choosing the best pacifier for your breastfeeding baby:
- Pick one that is designed with your needs in mind. Many brands offer different sizes, shapes, and nipples so you can find one that works best with your newborn’s mouth.
- For breastfeeding, look for pacifiers with a shape that closely resembles your breast and nipple. A wide base is recommended, because it keeps your baby’s mouth open while sucking on the pacifier, like they would breastfeeding.
- Also, choose pacifiers that are one-piece pacifiers as opposed to two-pieces (which can be a choking hazard).
- The AAP also recommends that pacifiers have a firm shield that is big enough to prevent the entire pacifier going into a baby’s mouth. It should also have wide airholes to allow babies to breathe while sucking.
Conclusion
There are many different pacifiers for breastfed babies to choose from. But if you’re looking for the best ones, then the options above should be a good place to start. They have features that work especially well with breastfeeding babies and can keep them calm when they’re being fussy.
As always, it’s important to do your research and see if any of these options work for your child. Do what you feel is best and find a pacifier that she likes. You can also read the reviews to hear how other parents like these products as well as any additional information they might have to offer.
We hope you found this post! And don’t forget to Pin this post so your friends and family can benefit from it as well!
Hi I’m Yesenia,
a working mom of two kids. I’ve experienced all of the beautiful and crazy moments of early parenthood: breastfeeding, picky eaters, toilet training, balancing work with kids, and the list continues!
I created Hard Knock Mama to help working moms navigate through their child’s early years and find a successful balance in their home, work, and life.
