The Best Pacifiers to Soothe Your Little One, Recommended By Parents

In a nutshell:
Based on advice from three experts and survey feedback from over 300 members of The Bump community, we chose the NUK Comfy Pacifier as the overall best pacifier, due to its curved orthodontic nipple and scoop-shaped design which allows for ample tongue movement. Plus, parents say it doesn’t fall out easily.

When baby is on the way, it can feel like there’s an endless stream of decisions to make—finding the right pacifier being one of them. “Pacifiers can be an excellent aid to soothe a crying or fussy baby, but choosing the right one is key to promoting proper oral development,” says board-certified pediatrician and lactation consultant Mona Amin, MD. That said, babies can be picky about the type of pacifier they’ll accept—and they’ll ultimately have the final say about which they keep in their mouth when the going gets tough. Rounded nipples may be too big for some, while orthodontic nipples may be too thin for others.

The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends trying a number of different nipples and seeing what baby prefers. Consider factors like your child’s age and whether you’ve been breast- or bottle-feeding them—or what you’re planning for the future. Then choose a selection of pacifiers that aligns with the suckling method they’re already used to. (If you’re nursing, you can also enlist the help of a lactation consultant for suggestions on the best pacifiers.) To streamline your search, we gathered insights from hundreds of parents in The Bump community to determine the best of the best.

How We Chose the Best Pacifiers

Here’s how we created this roundup:

• We researched what was being said about pacifiers in The Bump community forums to learn how families feel about the most popular brands and designs on the market. For further insights, we also asked our staff to share their firsthand experiences with pacifiers.
• We surveyed over 300 parents in The Bump community, and asked them to tell us about their favorite pacifiers and what they liked most about them.
• We interviewed two pediatric dentists and a pediatrician to find out what to look for in a top-quality pacifier to aid baby’s oral development.
• We adhered to safety guidelines from the AAP and the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (AAPD). In keeping with these guidelines, we only considered one-piece pacifiers.
• To understand how these pacifiers have worked for families nationwide, we conducted exhaustive market research, scouring forums and message boards and reading user reviews.
• We looked at a wide range of binkies and considered several factors—like nipple size and shape, material and ease of cleaning—when choosing which options to feature in our article.

Editorial integrity is at the heart of everything we publish. Read more about how The Bump develops our product reviews.

Best Pacifiers

*Note: Some names have been changed due to privacy requests.

What to Look for in a Pacifier

Pacifiers are highly subjective, and what works well for one infant may not for another. Regardless, there are several features you should look for across the board when picking out a binkie for baby:

• One-piece construction. Grinbaum urges parents to choose one-piece pacifiers: “You want to make sure that the material is one-piece and sturdy to prevent any choking risks,” he explains. The AAP agrees, advising parents to look for a one-piece model with a soft nipple. One-piece pacifiers also have the benefit of being easier to clean, while multi-piece pacifiers can get water and soap trapped in the nipple.
• Size. Pacifiers aren’t a one-size-fits-all accessory. If you’re buying a pacifier for a newborn or an infant under 6 months, you’ll want to prioritize options that are small and not too bulky, so they don’t overwhelm baby’s mouth. You also don’t want it to be so small that it poses a choking hazard. The AAPD’s policy on pacifiers recommends options with a shield that’s at least 1.5 inches across. Older infants can have a pacifier with a larger silhouette. “The size of the whole pacifier can also be a health hazard concern,” says Grinbaum. “If the shield around the silicone is too small, the baby can insert it whole into the mouth. Alternatively, if the shield is too large it can cover the nose and cause a breathing hazard. It is imperative to check the manufacturer’s recommendations for sizing.”
• Round vs. orthodontic nipples. AAPD president Scott Cashion, DDS, MS advises parents to look for orthodontic nipples. Compared to options with rounded nipples, “this type of pacifier is specifically designed with baby’s developing teeth in mind, as the shape of the nipple is designed to support the developing jaw.” He adds that, “orthodontic pacifiers help to reduce misalignment that can be caused by traditional round pacifiers.” Grinbaum agrees, telling us: “The rounder a pacifier tip is, the more it will lead to a narrowing palate, protruded and open anterior bite, and a cross-bite in the back teeth." However, while some infants may love the feel of orthodontic pacifiers—others may spit one out in seconds. It’s largely down to baby’s personal preference. Even just the nuances between a glossy and matte nipple can influence baby’s decision one way or the other.

How Many Pacifiers Do You Need?

Once you’ve narrowed down your options, stock up on baby’s top pick, because pacifiers have a universal tendency to disappear—particularly when you need one the most. We suggest buying at least four to six pacifiers to get started. Be sure to bring at least two pacifiers whenever you and baby head out of the house, in case one is missing. If you live in a multi-level home, keeping one or two on every floor and in easy rotation is another smart strategy.

Having a variety of pacifiers also helps baby become more tolerant of different types. After all, favorites do get lost every so often. Some brands offer sampler packs that let you test-run a few different designs. And even when you’ve found the one baby takes to, Amin cautions that finding the best pacifier is an ongoing task. “It’s essential to swap baby’s pacifier as they grow,” she tells us. “Pacifiers are offered in different age ranges to ensure the materials, shape and size of the pacifier support baby’s oral development.”

Sometimes no matter how many different types and sizes of baby pacifiers you try, baby simply isn’t interested. “This ended up being the case with both of my daughters—after all our wrestling with whether or not to give them pacifiers, and which ones to try,” shares Elizabeth Nelson, a mom of two. If your infant is spitting out their binky time and time again, the AAPD says not to force it. Eventually, they’ll develop an alternate way to self-soothe.

About the writer:
Emma O’Regan-Reidy is a contributing writer and former editor for The Bump. She specializes in writing e-commerce content and has spent years researching baby gear that soothes and calms little ones, including pacifiers. Based on her extensive market knowledge, Emma strives to create supportive, informative articles to help new and seasoned parents find the best pacifiers for newborns and infants.

Please note: The Bump and the materials and information it contains are not intended to, and do not constitute, medical or other health advice or diagnosis and should not be used as such. You should always consult with a qualified physician or health professional about your specific circumstances.