Top 5 Best Pacifiers of 2019

When our first child was born, one of my first struggles was soothing him when he’s fussy. What always saved the day for me during those times was a pacifier. I’ve learned a lot over the years about the benefits and drawbacks of letting your child use this tiny piece of device, but believe me when I tell you that it truly helped my spouse and me during our early years of parenting.

Whether there’s such a thing as a good pacifier or not is what we’re going to discuss in this article, plus we’re going to present you with our pick of the best pacifiers available today.

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Preview	Product	Rating	Price
	Philips Avent Soothie...	4893 Reviews	$3.19	Buy on Amazon
	MAM Night Pacifiers (2 Count),...	823 Reviews	$6.12	Buy on Amazon
	WubbaNub Brown Monkey Pacifier	1692 Reviews	$13.95	Buy on Amazon
	The First Years Gumdrop...	781 Reviews	$7.77	Buy on Amazon
	NUK Newborn 100% Silicone...	309 Reviews	from $11.50	Buy on Amazon

Top 5 Best Baby Pacifiers

5

Philips Avent Soothie Pacifier Philips

Preview	Product	Rating	Price
	Philips Avent Soothie...	4893 Reviews	$3.19	Buy on Amazon

Avent is one of the top names when it comes to baby products, so it shouldn’t be a surprise that we’ve included their Soothie Pacifier on this list. This particular version is for babies from 0-3 months and is a one-piece hospital-grade silicone pacifier.

It’s well-made and is soft and very durable at the same time. Since it’s BPA-free, you can expect it to be taste-free and odor-free as well. 

PROS

• They’re just the perfect size for newborns.
• Just like with feeding bottle nipples, the nipples are round, which may help your child get used to it easily.

CONS

• They don’t come with a loop handle, so you can’t use any paci connector with them.

4

MAM Glow In The Dark Orthodontic Pacifier

Preview	Product	Rating	Price
	MAM Night Pacifiers (2 Count),...	823 Reviews	$6.12	Buy on Amazon

Who knew that you could be as innovative as you can even with a small device such as a baby pacifier? That’s just what MAM did with this glow-in-the-dark pacifier. Aside from being visible in the dark, this binky is designed symmetrically for your child’s developing mouth.

The nipple is made of silicone and is skin-soft and yet durable. It has an anti-slip surface that prevents it from falling off your baby’s mouth. In addition, the guard comes with air holes that allow your child’s skin to breathe. And since the pacifier is symmetrical, it can be placed in your child’s mouth upside down or right-side up. 

PROS

• It glows in the dark, which means you won’t have to turn on the lights to look for it in case it falls off your child’s mouth.
• It comes with a storage case that can be used in the microwave when you want to sterilize the pacifier.
• The guard is just the right size and won’t look comical on your child’s face.

READ  Fillings in Baby Teeth: Are They Really Necessary?

CONS

• It won’t glow as bright if you forget to charge it.

3

WubbaNub Pacifier

Preview	Product	Rating	Price
	WubbaNub Brown Monkey Pacifier	1692 Reviews	$13.95	Buy on Amazon

A pacifier and stuffed toy in one, the WubbaNub Pacifier is designed for parents who are always on the go. The nipple is actually an Avent smoothie pacifier that’s attached to a soft stuffed animal.

It’s constructed in this manner so that parents won’t have to worry about their child’s paci getting lost all the time. It’s also specially made for babies aged six months and below and still find it difficult to grasp onto their pacifier because of their tiny hands. 

PROS

• The stuffed animal attached to the pacifier does a great job comforting a fussy child.
• It’s highly visible, and your child won’t have a hard time finding it by himself. What you may not like about it:
• The nipple is non-detachable, which means you need to wash it with the stuffed animal.
• It’s a bit pricey for a pacifier, especially since you’re supposed to replace your child’s pacifier at least one a month.

CONS

• The silicone nipple is not very smooth and attracts fuzz easily.

2

The First Years Gumdrop Newborn Pacifier

Preview	Product	Rating	Price
	The First Years Gumdrop...	781 Reviews	$7.77	Buy on Amazon

The Gumdrop Newborn Pacifier by The First Years is probably one of the most uniquely designed pacifiers on the market today. It has an ingenious one-piece design and is made of latex-free silicone that’s soft yet durable.

Unlike most pacifiers, this one features a cutout so that it steers clear of your child’s nose. It’s also lightweight and is very easy for your baby’s tiny hands to handle. Most importantly, it’s one of the most affordable binkies you’ll find out there. 

PROS

• Its unique design gives you peace of mind that your baby can sleep without his pacifier blocking his airways.
• It comes with a loop handle that works with most attaches.

CONS

• It attracts hair very easily, which can be a downside if you have pets at home.

1

NUK Newborn Pacifier

Preview	Product	Rating	Price
	NUK Newborn 100% Silicone...	309 Reviews	from $11.50	Buy on Amazon

Another innovative pacifier in our list is the newborn pacifier by NUK. Also from a very popular line of pacifiers, the NUK Newborn Pacifier features what most brands don’t - a scooped nipple cavity.

The design is supposed to aid in tongue movement, allowing your child’s jaw and palate to get some exercise while he’s sucking on the pacifier. It also has a curved top that helps it fit your child’s mouth better to promote healthy oral development. Finally, its shield is shaped like a heart that allows easy breathing. 

PROS

• The unique curved top and scooped bottom of the nipple makes it easy for baby to suck and keeps it from falling off easily.
• The shield is designed not to leave marks all over your child’s face.
• The one-piece design prevents water from getting inside the nipple.

CONS

• Some babies may not be comfortable with the way the nipple is shaped.

Our Top Pick Of Baby Pacifier

We could have easily gone with the glow-in-the-dark pacifier by MAM or The First Years Gumdrop Newborn Pacifier, because of their innovative design. However, our vote had to go out to the NUK Newborn Pacifier. It may seem that there’s nothing in it that makes it more special than the rest of the brands on our list, but the difference is in the details.

What made NUK the clear winner here is the fact that its design is well thought of. The shape of the nipple - the thin neck, the scooped bottom, and the curved top - simply makes it fit snugly into any newborn’s mouth, as well as aid in healthy oral development. What sealed the deal is its airtight design. There’s simply no way for water to get inside the nipple, thus, reducing the risk of mold growth to zero.

If you want to see how this orthodontic pacifier works, check out the video below:

That answers the question of whether there’s such a thing as the best pacifier. Of course, there will always be drawbacks to letting your child use a pacifier, and it may still seem preferable to let your little one suck on his fingers instead. Nevertheless, if you know how to use this piece of device wisely, you and your child will reap only its benefits.

What Does A Baby Pacifier Do?

Sometimes referred to as “binky,” or “paci,” a pacifier is a device made of either rubber, silicone, or plastic given to a baby to suck.

The first time pacifiers were cited was in medical literature published in 1473. It was from a book by German physician Bartholomäus Metlinger entitled, “A Guide on Young Children.”

The earliest pacifiers came in the form of hard teething rings that eventually developed into sugar-rags, which were made from pieces of old linen with the tips formed like a little ball and dipped in a spoonful of sugar.

Today, pacifiers are sold in an unlimited number of styles, although they are all made of the same basic appearance having an elastic teat, a mouth shield, and a handle.

Despite what you call it or how it looks, a pacifier has one purpose, and that is to satisfy the need of newborns to suck.

When Should I Give My Child A Pacifier?

Many parents pop a pacifier into their baby’s mouth at the first sound of a whimper, and it may make some sense considering how magical it seems to work. It’s quick and easy and turns the tears off in an instant. There’s simply no denying that a pacifier can work well in calming a baby down, but before you introduce your baby to it, you need to realize that there are potential risks to using one.

One of the things you need to be aware of is the fact that the use of a pacifier may result to otitis media or inflammation of the middle ear. There have been studies citing a link between pacifiers and ear infections, suggesting that when a child sucks on a pacifier, the sucking creates pressure in the tube between the ears and the nose.

The good news is that it only applies to babies with stuffy nose, especially those aged six to ten months old with unlimited use of pacifiers. To reduce your child’s chances of developing ear problems, do not let him use a pacifier when he has a clogged nose.

Additionally, a study published by the American Academy of Pediatrics also found out that restricting the use of pacifier only to the moment of falling asleep and discontinuing its use as soon as the child reaches ten months also prevents episodes of otitis media.

Another drawback of pacifiers is that they can cause misshapen jawlines and buck teeth. A pacifier can be detrimental to your child’s health since his face is still growing. The sucking motion may influence the skeletal structures on your child’s face to grow asymmetrically. It may also result in the upper front teeth to either intrude or protrude and interfere with your child’s speech.

On the other hand, there are also researches that show how pacifiers can help reduce the risk of SIDS or sudden infant death syndrome by up to 90 percent. This particular report says that the risk of SIDS disappear when you use a pacifier. While it’s unclear how pacifiers cut the risk of the disorder, it gives parents peace of mind that pacifiers, when used correctly, may help keep their children safe.

To answer the question on when to give your child a pacifier, the best time is when he’s about to take a nap. Avoid giving one to your baby to delay his feeding, but rather offer it between feedings when he’s not hungry. Most importantly, never pop a pacifier into your child’s mouth simply to make him stop crying.

When he’s fussy, try to comfort him in other ways first, such as cuddling him or singing to him. Most importantly, keep in mind that the longer your child uses a binky, the greater the chance it’s going to affect his speech and dental development.

In choosing the best pacifier for your child, there are 4 things you need to consider.  

 Different age groups require different sizes of pacifiers. For babies six months and younger, go for a small size. Pick a medium-sized pacifier if your child is six to 18 months old. If he’s 18 months and older, opt for a large-sized pacifier.

Many pacifiers are made up of multiple pieces, which can be a choking hazard. As much as possible, opt for a single piece pacifier as they are much safer. Also, choose one with a guard that’s at least 1.5 inches to prevent your little one from choking on the nipple.

The most used material for pacifier nipples is silicone. It’s easier to clean and doesn’t retain odor. If you can, avoid latex nipples, especially if your child is allergic to it. Don’t go for hard plastic nipples either, as they can easily develop jagged edges.

Finally, pick a pacifier that’s easy to clean, preferably one that is dishwasher safe or can be boiled or sterilized using a bottle sterilizer. And now, let’s take a look at five of the best pacifiers available on the market today.

Preview	Product	Rating	Price
	Philips Avent Soothie...	4893 Reviews	$3.19	Buy on Amazon
	MAM Night Pacifiers (2 Count),...	823 Reviews	$6.12	Buy on Amazon
	WubbaNub Brown Monkey Pacifier	1692 Reviews	$13.95	Buy on Amazon
	The First Years Gumdrop...	781 Reviews	$7.77	Buy on Amazon
	NUK Newborn 100% Silicone...	309 Reviews	from $11.50	Buy on Amazon

What about you? Do you use a pacifier to soothe your little one? Let us know through the comments section. And please don’t forget to share this article if you found it valuable! Thank you!