Babies and pacifiers are almost inseparable at times. A baby pacifier can fulfill the ‘suck reflex’ that may linger on even after breastfeeding or even when the baby is full.
It brings comfort and calmness as your baby will become significantly focused on sucking.
As a result, it can be the best distraction to a fussy and unsettled baby. Additionally, it is found that using a pacifier reduces the probability of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) by more than 90 per cent.
How To Choose A Pacifier
Here are some criteria for choosing the most suitable pacifier for your baby:
- Look for one-piece options – One-piece options will prevent pacifiers from becoming a choking hazard. In addition, ensure that the ‘shield’ attached is larger than the baby’s mouth so they would not swallow it.
- Dishwasher-safe or safe to boil – This will ensure the pacifier can be thoroughly and regularly cleaned, as pacifiers will be exposed to germs and bacteria.
- Material – Check the materials to ensure the pacifier is safe to use. Look for certifications such as BPA-free, lead, and phthalate-free, for example.
- Age-appropriate – Finally, ensure the pacifiers are age-appropriate for your baby
Whilst pacifiers can seem to be an all-encompassing solution when it comes to fussy babies, do note of the adverse side-effects when it comes to long-term usage.
This includes an over-reliance on pacifiers, teeth problems after the age of 2, and the risk of exposure to germs and bacteria if they are not cleaned and maintained properly. Thus it would also be good to know a few safety tips about using pacifiers.
Pacifiers can be an essential when it comes to parenting, however, it can be difficult to choose with the plethora of options in the market.
Therefore, we picked out pacifiers and categorized them into different options available for your needs.
The Best Baby Pacifier Brands
The Best Baby Pacifier Brands
 | OXO Tot Silicone Self-Feeder Best Multi-Functional Baby Pacifier |  | View Details | Buy from Shopee |
 | Philips Avent Ultra Soft Pacifier Best Pacifier for Sensitive Babies | | View Details | Buy from Amazon |
 | NUK Glow in the Dark Silicone Soother Best Baby Pacifier for Sleep/Night Time | | View Details | Buy from Amazon |
 | Dr. Brown’s Lovey Pacifier And Teether Holder Best Pacifier for Fussy Babies | | View Details | Buy from Amazon |
 | Smilo Newborn Orthodontic Pacifier Best Baby Pacifier for Physical Development | | View Details | Buy from Amazon |
Is your toddler always hungry and searching for something to put in their mouth? Look no further than the OXO Tot Silicone Self-Feeder which serves the dual-function of being a traditional pacifier and also being able to provide the nutrients needed for growth, ultimately satisfying and soothing your hungry baby.
This pacifier is able to achieve this through its specially designed food pouch which can hold healthy snacks such as cut fruits. Additionally, it has purposely designed feeding holes, which allows your baby to consume safely without the risk of choking.
Even without food, the OXO Tot Silicone Self-Feeder doubles up as a traditional pacifier at the same time. As a result, it also has a soothing effect. This is perfect for whenever they are being difficult or to prepare them for bedtime.
Features we love:
- BPA free
- Food grade silicone pouch
- Child-proof lock
Your toddlers can have a pacifier in their mouth for a prolonged period of time. Thus, a poor quality or poorly designed pacifier can bring about some physical discomfort.
Philips Avent Ultra Soft Pacifier ensures the pacifier’s shield is soft and flexible to accommodate and adapt to the natural curves of your baby’s face owing to its FlexiFit technology.
As a result, this reduces skin marks and irritation which can be a common phenomenon with prolonged usage of pacifiers. It ensures maximum usage comfort even for the fussiest of babies.
In addition, its textured silicone nipples mimic the sensation of breastfeeding which all babies are familiar with, thus it will be instantly accustomed and accepted by most babies.
Features we love:
- Comes with a sterilizer case
- Dishwasher safe
- Orthodontic and BPA free
Do your babies wake up in the middle of night, with their pacifier fallen out?
It can be a struggle to console your baby and at the same time, look for the missing pacifier in the dark as you do not want to irritate them further with light. NUK Glow in the Dark Silicone Soother provides the simple solution to this problem by lighting up in the dark.
In effect, this helps parents easily locate the pacifier especially during bedtime.
NUK Glow in the Dark Silicone stays soft and flat throughout so as to alleviate pressure on the baby’s mouth even with prolonged use. This also prevents jaw deformation.
This is only possible through the special NUK’s Air System which allows air to escape through the baglet therefore keeping it soft and malleable. In addition, the NUK brand is designed by a German orthodontist and dentist, with its optimal design focused on developing healthy oral development.
Features we love:
- BPA-free
- Orthodontic nipple
- Anatomically shaped mouth shield
Dr. Brown’s Lovey Pacifier and Teether Holder’s cute design combines a plush toy with a pacifier. Undoubtedly, this is great for grabbing your fussy baby’s attention.
The plush not only allows the pacifier to be kept close to your baby, it also provides physical comfort. The sizeable plush also allows you to locate the pacifier easily, which can often be small and inconspicuous.
However, while Dr. Brown’s Lovey Pacifier and Teether Holder comes with a medical grade silicone pacifier, the detachable plush toy is still compatible with most pacifiers on the market.
To that end, you can still use the holder for your fussy babies who may have an inclination for other pacifiers.
Features we love:
- Plush can be hand washed
- Pacifier is easy to clean and dishwasher safe
Designed by a team of dentists, Smilo Newborn Orthodontic Pacifier is specially created to tackle and prevent common anatomical issues that develop in babies with most pacifiers.
It is able to expand slightly when your baby bites into it, reacting positively and allowing for healthy physical development with long-term usage by supporting your baby’s palate.
In comparison, most pacifiers collapse slightly when bitten and this lack of support can lead to physical conditions such as cross-bites.
The strong design feature promotes strong and healthy development of your baby’s mouth muscles and teeth, in addition to its traditional function of being a pacifier, which is soothing your fussy young ones.
Smilo Newborn Pacifiers are available in four stages, each carefully researched and designed specifically for the right size and fit at different ages—from newborn to 18 months.
Features we love:
- BPA-free
- One piece silicone
- Dishwasher-safe
Price Comparison
Now that we’ve tackled the best baby pacifiers for different situations, let’s take at a closer look at the cost of each baby pacifier:
