Pacifiers are definitely something any baby needs. It is designed to calm the baby in stressful situations and brings a soothing experience that the baby gets from latching onto a nipple. Breastfed babies can be quite tough and not having the right pacifier could potentially interfere with the breastfeeding process.
We have looked at some of the top pacifiers for breastfed babies and how they could help to relieve some of the tension on the nipple as well as calm your stressed baby if they aren’t really hungry. Our buyer’s guide is also thoroughly designed to ensure that you do give your baby the best possible experience and get great value for your money.
Advantages and disadvantages of a pacifier:
Since the pacifier is artificial, there are a few positive and negative effects of using it. Understanding these could also help you make the decision of switching over or not. Here are the main pros and cons of using a pacifier:
Advantages:
- It brings a calming effect that is associated with a nipple. This could relieve some stress in your baby.
- The mother is the safety valve for any baby and when they are used to breastfeeding, they build an emotional bond. The pacifier can help give the mother a break, whilst promoting that security feeling.
Disadvantages:
- Even though the pacifier is has a few positives, it remains artificial and this could result in breastfeeding problems. To ensure the baby does not experience any problems, we would recommend holding off until your baby is firmly used to breastfeeding.
- Many babies might also be allergic the pacifier and this is what you will need to know. By consulting a pediatrician, you could eliminate any potential allergic reactions.
Is my baby hungry or looking for the pacifier?
Establishing the knowledge of whether or not your baby needs the pacifier is critical. To know this, you simply need to look at their reactions. If the baby only wants the pacifier and you give it to them, it will calm them down, but if they spit it out or continue to be restless, your baby might be hungry. This will be different for each baby.
Key Features to consider when buying a pacifier as a breastfeeding mom:
The pacifier might be really small, but there are still a few things that you need to consider when choosing one for your baby. These features could be the difference between whether or not your baby likes the pacifier or not. Here is the most important feature to look for in pacifiers:
- Size: Not all babies are the same and the size of the pacifier is really important to consider. There are generally three sizes and these are small, medium, and large. If the pacifier is too big or too small, it won’t work as effectively.
- Small: younger than 6 months
- Medium: 6 to 18 months
- Large: 18 months or older
- Construction quality: The pacifier is generally made out of three separate parts and these can be broken down for you to clean. The quality of the construction is important and you should ensure that it cannot easily fall apart. If it does fall apart, this could be a potential choking hazard and tugging on it is a great way to check that it is secure.
- Nipple materials: Pacifiers are generally made from one of three materials. This is latex, plastic, and silicone. Depending on what your baby likes, you should consider one of these.
- Latex: Latex is one of the most flexible materials and it is soft as well. Many babies prefer latex when they are younger and it can be great for cutting their teeth on.
- Plastic: Plastic is a little harder and it is the most common material that is used. Plastic can be rejected by many babies and might cause some pain for younger babies.
- Silicone: Silicone is one of the easiest to clean. It is also quite soft and babies generally love it. To clean a silicone pacifier, simply pop it in the dishwasher.
- Washable: A pacifier should be easy to wash and take apart for you as a parent. We generally recommend washing it in a sterilized environment, but you could wash it normally as well. If the pacifier can be boiled or is dishwasher safe, you will significantly cut down the cleaning process.
- Color: Most likely, you will be losing a lot of pacifiers and while the color might not mean much to your baby, it could help you when it comes to finding them. We recommend bright colors, but if you want a clear one, you could try that.
Top 7 Pacifiers for breastfeeding in 2017:
Now that you might feel like an expert when it comes to breastfeeding pacifiers, you might not know where to get started. We have chosen 7 of the top pacifiers that fit our buyer’s guide to get you started and ensure you get the best possible value for your money:
Philips Avent SCF190/01 Soothie
Nipple material: Silicone
The Philips Avent SCF190/01 Soothie is a great pacifier to get us started. It is constructed with a hospital-grade silicone nipple and is completely latex free if your baby might be allergic to latex. The pacifier is designed with the shape of the baby’s mouth and many professionals use if for calming newborn babies.
The pacifier also features a one-piece construction, reducing the risk of it falling apart and being a potential choking hazard for your baby. Like most pacifiers, it has also been tested to be BPA free and safe for newborn babies.
Thanks to the affordability and the fact that you will receive two, we would highly recommend this pacifier to any breastfeeding mother.
WubbaNub Brown Puppy Pacifier
Nipple material: Silicone
As your baby gets older and more into toys, the WubbaNub Brown Puppy Pacifier will be a great addition to have. It is quite large in comparison to others but has also been made from medical-grade silicone.
The nipple is quite soft and flexible on this pacifier, but washing can be quite tough with the stuffed toy. This pacifier is also distributed nationwide in hospitals throughout the US and might even help your baby get used to the pacifier more.
While this one is a little more expensive, it is still highly recommended for the value it provides. Unfortunately, it is not ideal for babies having teeth.
FCTRY – The Gentleman Mustache Pacifier
Nipple material: Silicone
As parents, you might also want to have some fun with your baby and the Gentleman Mustache Pacifier is a great way for you to do this. The pacifier is constructed with a durable silicone nipple that can easily be washed and the mustache gimmick helps it look even cooler.
The pacifier shield is also made from durable plastic and it includes decent ventilation holes to help reduce sweat and dry out the mess. It has been tested and it is confirmed to be 100% BPA free for your baby.
The pacifier is a little more expensive, but we still love the style portrayed. We would highly recommend it to any newborn between 0 and 6 months.
MAM Glow in the Dark Night Orthodontic Pacifier
Nipple material: Silicone
The MAM Glow in the Dark Night Orthopedic Pacifier is a medical-grade pacifier made from silicone with a twist. The pacifier will glow in the dark at night, this might also be fascinating and help your baby, and you find it when it gets lost.
An easy to help button has been incorporated into the design, which means that you could easily give it to your baby without hassles. The ventilation holes in the shield are also ideal for keeping moisture from building up on the skin.
The price on this top quality pacifier is great and we would definitely recommend it to any parent looking for a break from breastfeeding.
Philips AVENT Translucent Orthodontic Infant Pacifier
Nipple material: Silicone
The Philips AVENT Translucent Orthodontic Infant Pacifier is a great way for you to get started at a very low cost. The pacifier features a durable silicone nipple that won’t get disfigured or discolored. It has also been designed to resist taste and odors and you can easily wash it in the dishwasher.
When purchasing this, you will get 2 pacifiers that can be alternated between one another. The clear design might not be the best for when it gets lost, but it is also quite small and ideal for taking along on travels.
MAM Newborn Start Orthodontic Pacifier
Nipple materials: Silicone
The MAM Newborn Start Orthodontic Pacifier is a little more expensive, but the shape of the silicone nipple has been designed to help promote proper oral development. The innovative design of the shield provides you baby with optimal ventilation and reduces any possible skin problems.
This pacifier is tested to be 100% BPA free and we would definitely recommend it for the development of oral and mouth areas. It might be a little more expensive, but most orthopedic dentists also highly recommend it and you will get 2.
BabyStache Kissable Mustache Baby Pacifier
Nipple material: Silicone
Last but certainly not least, we have the BabyStache Kissable Mustache Baby Pacifier, which looks extremely cute. It also features a durable, yet still flexible medical-grade silicone nipple, but the design is the best part.
The pacifier is approved by most orthodontists and it promotes the oral development of the mouth. The shield has been carefully designed with multiple ventilation holes to ensure that your baby can enjoy the pacifier without moisture buildup.
We really love the style and the pacifier is really affordable. We would certainly recommend it for all babies under the age of 6 months.
Do you want to give your nipples a break?
If so, a pacifier is one of the best investments you could make. While there are multiple different nipples to choose from, we especially recommend silicone and most doctors and hospitals do too. Please let us know in the comment section if you have experience with these pacifiers and if we might have missed any of your favorites.
