Best Pacifiers for Breastfed Babies
There is nothing like a mothers warm and comforting embrace when an infant is stressed and wailing. It is the single most sacred and time-tested remedy for a crying infant. Pacifiers, however, come a close second for a few reasons. They work wonderfully as attachment objects and can relieve distress by giving the baby the comfort they get from the suckling action. They tend to soothe your baby because sometimes a baby wants the nipple just for comfort.
Top Rated Pacifiers for Newborns
Pacifiers are known to have been in use as early as the 1500’s. The modern pacifier came into the picture in the early 1900’s. The pacifier is a handy device that can help soothe your baby when a feed isn’t required.
Types of Pacifiers
Pacifiers can be of the following types:
- Single piece pacifiers- These pacifiers are molded in such a way that they are a single piece from handle to the nipple. They largely reduce the risk of accumulated dirt and bacteria because they lack joints or crevices.
- Multi-piece Pacifiers-These are pacifiers that have a separate nipple, handle, and a guard. The advantage is that they come with a cover for the nipple when it is not in use.
- Orthodontic Pacifier- These pacifiers are designed to reduce tooth misalignment and early orthodontic issue. These pacifiers were created to reduce the occurrence of malocclusions of the teeth.
- Stuffed animal pacifiers- Some binkies come with a tiny stuffed animal attached and is a favorite among parents who have toddlers.
- Feeding pacifiers- These pacifiers are better for babies who have begun with solid food, and a piece of frozen fruit placed in the feeding compartment can give a fruity flavor to your baby as they suck on it.
- Novelty Pacifiers- Pacifiers can entertain. Designs have gone through so much innovation that a pacifier can be used as a superb way to accessorize your bay even for a Halloween party.We have listed below some of the best pacifiers that can be used for breastfed babies from when they are born to the age of approximately 18 months.
1. Chicco Natural Fit Pacifier
Chicco brings to you a clear silicone pacifier that has been developed in association with leading orthodontists. It provides flexibility and comfort to your baby.
Features
It is soft and has a breast-like feel. This nipple-like pacifier is an orthodontic pacifier and aids physiological and oral development. The shape allows for motion of the tongue and natural positioning that an infant is used to while breastfeeding.
Pros
Pros
- The nipple is designed to accommodate even pressure of the tongue against the palate.
- It comes with an ergonomic shield that is a single piece, reducing risks of it coming apart when baby tugs.
Cons
Cons
- The nipple is made of silicone and can attract lint, hair, dirt, and fuzz easily, but is also the safest option for a baby product.
Why Will You Like This Product?
The Chicco pacifier has a narrow base that gives your infants mouth better flexibility and optimum mouth closure. This will make sure that your child’s jaw is not strained by the use of the pacifier. The product comes in three colors, clear, blue, and pink. So, take your pick for your baby.
2. MAM Glow in The Dark Pacifier
MAM has come out with a gorgeous and new Design Collection of pacifiers with adorable designs for boys and girls. It is one of the best newborn pacifiers in town for a breastfed baby.
Features
Medical experts have designed the product using feedback from parents. The Nipple is made to imitate the feel and texture of a mother’s breast. The pacifier comes with a reusable case that makes it easy to carry it around. The most exciting feature, however, is the glow in the dark knob of the pacifier.
Pros
Pros
- The nipple is manufactured with a symmetrical design and can be used with either side up unlike several other pacifiers.
- The design is made such that it prevents drool from settling on a baby’s skin, thus preventing infections.
Cons
Cons
- Some parents may find the nipple a little long, and some infants might have a higher gag reflex if the nipple is long.
Why Will You Like This Product?
The pacifier has a glow-in-the-dark knob that helps parents locate the pacifier easily during midnight hours. The strontium aluminate in the pacifier knob allows it to glow with soft iridescence that lasts for a few hours into the night.
3. BIBS Natural Rubber Baby Pacifier
Baby binkies and soothers can look classy. BIBS manages to give you a baby product that adds sass to your baby’s presence.
Features
The pacifier comes in a classic design that is timeless and graceful. It is 100 % BPA free and doesn’t contain PVC or phthalates.
Pros
Pros
- The product comes in a pack of two, because whoever made do with just one!
- It comes in numerous colors, and you can pick your favorite for baby.
Cons
Cons
- There is a chance of water getting into the nipple, and if that happens, you may have to replace the product to avoid mildew.
Why Will You Like This Product?
The manufacturer from Denmark has over forty years of experience with making pacifiers. The product comes in the tasteful vintage colors that will complement your wooden décor and blend in super well with different colors, pastels and neutral shades in your nursery. You could choose from a range of colors like purple, pink, silver, blue, blush, ivory, maroon, and brown, to name a few.
4. Natursutten Natural Pacifier
Natursutten is one of the most aesthetically designed breastfeeding pacifiers that you can get for your infant.
Features
It is made from natural rubber sourced from the Hevea Brasiliensi tree. It has no BPA, artificial coloring, phthalates, chemical softeners, or nitrosamines.
Pros
Pros
- The design factors in hygiene and is a single piece pacifier. This leaves no cracks or joints for the accumulation of bacteria and dirt.
- The natural rubber used in manufacturing is said to be much softer than silicone which is traditionally used in manufacturing pacifiers.
Cons
Cons
- Some parents may find that the natural rubber gets sticky after some use. The manufacturer recommends having two pacifiers and alternating them to avoid running them down very soon.
- Natural rubber can become whitish after boiling, and this is off-putting for some parents.
- Rubber also tends to darken with time but should not be mistaken for becoming dirty.
Why Will You Like This Product?
This pacifier comes in two designs, the traditional round shield which offers the comfort and feel of a breast, and a butterfly shield that keeps the nipple away from the baby’s nose. Take your pick from the soft, natural rubber device with an orthodontic design. Natursutten comes with a clear guide on sizes and design for your baby. They provide a chart that demarcates the differences between their small, medium and large sizes and guides you toward what will work for your child.
5. PATpat Clear Pacifier
PATpat is a wonderful pacifier baby product that comes to you in a combo design. It is BPA, latex, and phthalate free. It comes in a clear design with no colors.
Features
The design incorporates a nipple along with a teething ring. When the teether is being used, the pacifier nipple can be neatly pushed away.
Pros
Pros
- The one-piece design keeps dirt and bacteria from piling on.
- It attaches to a pacifier clip when required.
Cons
Cons
- The nipple attracts lint and dust easily.
Why Will You Like This Product?
This pacifier is soft on baby’s gums, and when baby begins teething, it also doubles up as a teething toy. That will be one less thing you have to worry as a parent. Once your little cherub starts to teeth, you can keep the pacifier in the freezer for a few minutes and offer the ringed side as a reliever to the baby.
How to Pick The Right Pacifier for Baby
Parents can ponder, research, and worry as much as their capabilities allow, but sometimes we still end up making a host of bad purchases for our babies that just end up cluttering our homes. Pacifiers come in different sizes, designs, and nipple shapes. This makes it hard to make a choice easily.
Start by picking up more than one variety and try it with the baby because comfort is a personal thing. Here is a guide on what to look out for when you are shopping for pacifiers:
Look for certain Must-haves
There should be certain essentials that are non-negotiable with your purchase. All pacifiers should be free of BPA, phthalates, and chemical softeners. They should also be orthodontic pacifiers which aid natural palate development for baby.
Pick the right Material
You can never compromise on the material that you choose for a pacifier. It spends a significant amount of time inside your infant’s mouth. Choices available in the market are Silicone, latex, and Natural rubber. Let’s discuss each in detail:
Latex: It is soft and flexible. It wears out sooner than other material due to its pliable nature. Some infants may have a latex allergy which you need to watch out for.
Natural Rubber: This material is very soft but comes is prone to discoloration easily and has a strong smell of rubber which might not go down too well with the baby.
Silicone: This is the most common material which is sturdy, cleans easily, and doesn’t retain odor.
Be mindful of Color and Construction
You can have more than one pacifier handy, and you should pick any color that you fancy. Babies enjoy the color stimulus as opposed to clear pacifiers, and they are a tad easier to spot amongst the clutter. You also need to decide if you want a single piece pacifier or a multi-piece. The advantage to a single piece construction is that it is easy to clean. The advantage to a multi-piece construction is that it comes with a nipple cover and can protect against dirt accumulation.
Get the Size Right
Pacifiers come in small, medium, and large sizes. If your infant is younger than 6 months, you would want to look at a small. Babies between 6-18 months generally fit the bill for a medium, and you would want a large only if your child continues using a pacifier beyond 18 months of age.
Safety Shield
All pacifiers come with a standard shield size that is more than 1.5 inches. This is to make sure that your baby cannot swallow the entire pacifier. It reduces choking hazards. Shields must have ventilation holes to enable circulation f air. Without this, the risk of drool causing skin infection and rash is higher. You can opt for a butterfly-shaped shield that has a crescent to accommodate the tip of the nose, or you can stick with the traditional round shape and keep the pacifier far away from baby’s skin.
Choose Comfort
Ultimately the best choice for your baby depends on their skin sensitivity, their age, and their personal preference. Whatever you choose, be prepared that despite your careful selection, the baby might just refuse your pick.
Apart from these points, you want to consider that a pacifier should be easy to wash and clean. Replace the pacifier if you begin to see discoloration, holes, or stickiness. It makes sense to be safe because pacifiers are inexpensive and non-durable items.
Why Do We Recommend These Products?
As a parent, you must be prudent while deciding for your baby. The choice to give your baby a pacifier needs to come after thoroughly understanding options. Providing your infant with a pacifier within the first month of birth may lead to ineffective suckling and causes what is known as breast confusion.
Overuse of a pacifier can also cause ear infections in the long run. Nevertheless, there are known benefits to use a pacifier because your baby needs comforting, soothing, and calming which you can provide through the use of the pacifier. So, make an informed decision, continue breastfeeding, and keep your baby happy.
