Learn the best pacifiers for breastfed babies
As a breastfeeding mama, you might be wondering if you should give your little one a pacifier.
There are both pros and cons to introducing a pacifier to your little bundle of joy. Ultimately, whether you choose to use one or not is up to you as a parent.
My twins actually did both bottle feeding and breastfeeding and didn’t take to the pacifier.
I’m not sure why. I sure researched and bought plenty different types, but for some reason or another my twins preferred other things to pacify with.
In any case, I spent time researching to help you find a good pacifier for breastfed babies!
First I want to go over some of the benefits and disadvantages of using a pacifier for breastfed babies.
Then provide you with some top suggestions if you choose to opt to go the pacifier route. Finally, answer your questions about pacifiers for breastfed babies.
So let’s get right to it!
The Pros and Cons of Pacifiers for Breastfed Babies
I’m sure you are already aware that breastfed babies eat a lot!
Having a pacifier can help to keep them content between feedings or when you simply aren’t in a position to breastfeed them at that immediate moment. Mothers are encouraged to wait three to four weeks before introducing a pacifier to ensure that they have a good nursing routine down first.
The Pros of Pacifiers for Breastfed Babies
Soothing: Sucking is a natural reaction for many babies. The simple act of sucking on something, whether it is a real or a fake nipple, can help to soothe them and keep them calm.
Distraction: Sometimes your little one needs to be distracted from other things that are going on. This could be at the doctor’s office getting a shot or having to check their weight.
Sleep: Very often babies fall asleep while they are nursing. However, once you move them or remove your nipple they might be more easily awoken. Giving them a pacifier can help to get and keep your little one asleep.
Reduce SIDS: Whether at naptime or bedtime, sucking on a pacifier can help to reduce the risk of SIDS by up to 90%!
Disposable: While you might love the idea of a pacifier, they are easier to wean babies from than if they suck on their fingers.
When you are ready to get rid of the pacifier, you can throw them away or cut the nipple so they are no longer suckable (this can be effective for toddlers).
In flight: If you fly your baby often or are planning on taking a flight, giving them a pacifier can help to “pop” their ears during the flight thus releasing build up air pressure.
The Cons
Breastfeeding interference: As previously mentioned you should wait a few weeks before introducing a pacifier to your baby. This way you can develop a solid breastfeeding routine.
Babies are sensitive to the differences between sucking on a real nipple, a bottle, or a pacifier, which could potentially lead to babies being resistant to one or another.
Dependency: If you are choosing to give your baby a pacifier, then make sure you and your baby don’t become dependent on it. For example, if you give your baby a pacifier every time they cry, then that will quickly become a habit.
What happens when their pacifier falls out while they are sleeping? Most likely they are going to wake crying until they get it back in their mouth. If this does happen, here is a post to help you lose the binky easily.
Middle ear infection: After the age of six months, those babies that are still using a pacifier can be more prone to middle ear infections.
Dental issues: Sucking on a pacifier when they have no teeth will not cause any issues. However, once their teeth are fully coming in, continued use of a pacifier can lead to dental issues, such as misaligned teeth.
The Best Pacifiers for Breastfed Babies
There are many great options for pacifiers for breastfed babies. Like I said, my twins never took to pacifiers but I tried!
Here are our top 10 suggestions:
NUK Silicone Orthodontic Pacifier
When it comes to choosing a pacifier, often we don’t think about the size of it or even realize that they came in different sizes. The NUK Newborn Silicone Orthodontic Pacifier actually comes in four different sizes; 0-2 months, 0-6 months, 6-18 months, and 18-36 months.
The design of the nipple of the pacifier allows baby to gently exercise their tongue and jaw to promote healthy oral development. It includes vents for air circulation to prevent chafed skin and a heart-shaped design to allow room for their tiny noses.
Tommee Tippee Closer to Nature Soother Pacifier
This pacifier boasts a skin-like texture and a design that closely resembles a nursing nipple.
It is supposed to help babies more easily transition between breast, bottle, and pacifier with a stretch and flex just like a mother’s breast. It’s outward, curved design allows for plenty of air flow to baby’s face, preventing rashes and irritation.
This pacifier comes in two different sizes, 0-6 months and 6-18 months.
Ecopiggy Natural Ecopacifier
Unlike its silicone counterparts, this pacifier is made from pure rubber. Molded into one solid piece, it doesn’t contain any artificial colorings or chemical softeners. Not only is this pacifier great for helping to soothe a fussy baby, natural rubber is great for teething babies as it is much more difficult to bite through.
EvenFlo Feeding Balance Cylindrical Pacifier
These simple and effective pacifiers are designed to promote self-soothing through a natural tongue position.
This pacifier is one piece of silicone and offers an easy grip handle to easily attach a pacifier clip. The shape of the nipple on this pacifier is meant to mimic mother’s nipple in the early stages of breastfeeding.
HEVEA Classic Natural Rubber Pacifier
If you love the benefits of natural rubber, the HEVEA classic is another great option.
Unlike the Ecopiggy, this rubber pacifier has a few more ventilation holes and a heart-shaped design to allow room for baby’s nose. The one downfall about natural rubber pacifiers is that they are recommended to be replaced every six to eight weeks as the rubber can break down.
Philips Avent Soothie Pacifier
You are probably already familiar with this design of pacifier, it tends to be the ones that they give out at the hospital.
Like other similar pacifiers, it is orthodontic friendly. Latex and BPA free, this simple, one piece design is easy to clean and sanitize and trusted by doctors and hospitals nationwide.
They also have cute ones shaped like bears that are great for babies three months and older.
JollyPop Pacifier
What makes this silicone pacifier unique is the outer rim of it is a harder piece of plastic covered in silicone.
This feature can come in really handy when baby starts to teeth and wants something a little harder to chew on. This pacifier is also available in a few different colors, which is a nice option.
The nipple is also easier for babies to latch on to with the rounded and pronounced tip.
Nanobebe Pacifier
Available in several cute colors, this pacifier for breastfed babies was designed to specifically contour to baby’s face, with curves comfortably fitting the chin and the nose.
An orthodontic option made from 100% silicone, this pacifier is great for breastfed babies and helps to prevent nipple confusion when switching between bottle, pacifier, and breastfeeding.
Dr. Brown’s HappyPaci Silicone Pacifier
As a long time fan of the Dr. Brown’s bottles for my twins, I also wanted to include these pacifiers as a great option for breastfeeding babies.
If you use the bottles, the nipple shape of the pacifier is similar. It is made from a soft and lightweight one piece construction and is easily cleaned and sanitized. It includes a “butterfly” shape to easily fit those cute chubby cheeks and nose.
Pacifier FAQ’s
1. Are pacifiers good for babies?
As previously mentioned, pacifiers can help to soothe fussy babies. Each child is different and others may do well with a pacifier and do not experience nipple confusion while come babies might. Pacifiers help to provide comfort and satisfy their sucking impulses when they aren’t necessarily hungry.
2. Is it ok to give a newborn a pacifier?
It’s suggested to wait a few weeks before giving a new baby a pacifier. This will help to get into a regular feeding routine, minimize newborn weight loss, and help to continually stimulate the new mother’s milk supply.
3. How to choose the best pacifier for your breastfeeding baby?
While many pacifiers claim to be the best, there are a few factors that you should take into consideration when choosing the best pacifier for your breastfed baby.
Construction: Pacifiers can come in one piece or several pieces. Make sure to choose something that is durable and your baby won’t be able to pull apart.
Size: When you are just first starting out with a pacifier, you should choose a smaller size. As your baby gets older, you can move up in sizes. Many brands come in various sizes according to how many months the child is.
Material: There are several popular materials that pacifiers are made out of, rubber, silicone, plastic, and even latex. Your baby might be sensitive to certain materials, so you may have to try several to see what works best.
4. How to choose the best pacifier for your breastfed baby?
Again, every baby is different. You might pick out what you feel to be the perfect pacifier and your little one might hate it.
Ultimately, they will have the final say in what is going to be the best pacifier for them.
It will most likely take some trial and error to find the right pacifier for your baby. Don’t be afraid to try a few different brands and designs to see what they like best.
Have Fun Choosing A Baby Pacifier
There ya go!
Tell me in the comments which pacifier you decide to pick for your baby!
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