The best dummies for soothing your baby: Tried and tested by parents and babies

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Whether you're a fan or not, the best dummy can help soothe your little one when they're distressed, and help encourage them to fall asleep. Babies are born with a strong sucking reflex, they have an innate ability to suck which they practice in the womb, and explains how they know to intuitively suckle on their mother's breast when born.

If you'd like to introduce a dummy or pacifier to your newborn, it can be difficult to know when to start or know which dummies are the best for your baby. You'll want to consider the dummy's material, durability and age suitability, and check they are easy to clean (sterilising them would be handy!). Just like when choosing the right bottles for breastfed babies, there's a variety of shapes and sizes available and you may want to try some of the best dummies for breastfed babies first.

To get some expert advice, we spoke to Susan Hogan, midwife and co-founder of The Baby Academy to gain insight on when to introduce a dummy to a newborn.

In this article:

No babies don't need a dummy. Your baby is regularly using their sucking reflex whether it's being breastfed or bottle fed, sucking on their thumb or a comforter. A dummy can satisfy a baby's sucking instincts if they’re not breastfed, calm and soothe them and help them to fall asleep, but it isn't essential.

The Lullaby Trust suggest that the use of a dummy at night time can lower the risk of SIDS (sudden infant death syndrome), which can help reassure worried parents. If you choose to give your baby a dummy at night, know that it may end up being responsible for broken sleep and tired parents due to doing the dummy run multiple times a night. Ultimately, whether you choose to offer a dummy or not, is a personal decision.

Midwife Susan explains that waiting until your baby is at least one month old is recommended because during the first month of their new life, your baby is learning the art of breastfeeding, so it's important that all the suckling that they do is on the breast. "Firstly, every time your baby feeds from the breast, they are helping to build towards your milk supply (the more your baby feeds, the more milk you will make). The second reason is an efficient latch when breastfeeding, both for mum's comfort and to ensure the effective transfer of milk from mum to baby. If your baby is suckling on the soother instead of suckling on the breast, this can result in fewer breastfeeds per day and less practice perfecting that perfect latch."

How we chose and tested baby dummies

We tested 6 of the dummies on newborns right through to 12 month olds for a month and we asked parents how their little ones got on with them. Parent testers considered the size of the dummy they were testing, its durability, material and value for money. To see how well they performed, parents had their little ones use the dummy day and night. We also asked them to consider how easy the dummies were to clean, the design available and how comfortable their little ones found them and asked them to be rated. Two other products were selected from trusted brands and based on real mum opinions and reviews.

Find out more about how we test products for Mother&Baby by visiting our how we test page.

Material: It may come as no surprise that baby dummies can be made from different materials including natural rubber, silicone or other soft plastics. Silicone dummies are generally regarded as a safer choice for babies with latex allergies or sensitivities, and are more durable than natural rubber ones. Natural rubber ones are soft and free from harmful chemicals and made from one material, which may help prevent bacteria and are biodegrade after disposal.

BPA and phthalates-free: Both of these contain harmful chemicals so best to avoid for your baby.

Good ventilation: It's important for a dummy to have good ventilation / air holes for keeping the baby's skin cool and dry, preventing moisture buildup. It also helps protect skin from irritation and encourages natural air circulation around the mouth, making it much more comfortable.

Easy to clean: Check your baby's dummy can be popped in the steriliser - this is the best way to know it has been cleaned well. Some also come with a carry case which is handy when out and about and need to pop it back in your nappy bag.

Size: Just like bottle teats, you have to get the age-appropriate dummy size. There are some specifically for newborn and others for older babies. If the silicone or latex piece can still be seen, it is often the wrong size. Similarly you don't want a big dummy which could obstruct the nose you want to make sure the baby dummy rests against their face and they're content sucking it without any difficulty.

Weight: Lightweight dummies are ideal as they reduce the strain on a baby's oral and facial muscles, and to help them stay in place.

Shape: A flat dummy design allows for unrestricted tongue movement and the ones with an ultra-thin neck promote natural mouth closure and reduces the risk of dental misalignment. The dummy should have a flat shape so that your baby’s tongue can move freely in their mouth.

Price: As you can imagine, the price of a dummy can vary and start from under £3. The price increases based on brand, material and features like orthodontic design or glow-in-the-dark elements. Multi-packs offer better value and as dummies can easily be lost, it's always good to have a back-up.

Orthodontic design: An orthodontic dummy is specifically designed to support your baby's developing teeth and gums. Unlike traditional pacifiers, its flatter teat mimics a breastfeeding nipple, encouraging a more natural sucking motion and easing pressure on the jaw and teeth to help prevent any dental issues.

Comfort and fit for baby: Some dummies may not agree with your baby, some could be too small or too big. There may be some trial and error you go through before you find one that works for them so be patient.

Stay-in-mouth design: Some dummies are specifically designed to stay in your baby's mouth, making it harder for them to push out. This can be really helpful for some parents and especially at night.

Are dummies safe for newborns?

Yes they are perfectly safe but as suggested above, it's best to wait until your baby is a month old before introducing an age-appropriate dummy.

Do dummies affect teeth development?

"While most babies do not require a dummy and may be satisfied with breastfeeding, bottle-feeding or cuddles as a source of comfort, some babies do find comfort sucking on their thumb or a dummy," says Susan. "It is important for parents to understand that prolonged use of dummies may result in misalignment of teeth, such as the upper teeth protruding or the top and bottom front teeth not touching. This can alter the way the teeth come together when biting and may also impact the child's speech development, particularly with regard to the 'S' and 'Z' sounds. "So if you are using a dummy, the advice would be to wean your baby off the dummy around the one-year mark to reduce this risk."

How often should you sterilise dummies?

"The advice we give to parents is to sterilise your baby's dummy before its first use and then to clean it daily, just as you would clean a bottle feeding teat," advises Susan. "It's important to note that you should never clean a dummy by putting it in your mouth before it goes into your baby's mouth. One tip we always give to parents is to check regularly for cracks, splits and holes, as they can act as germ traps! And it's good practice to renew your baby's dummy often."

Can a baby sleep with a dummy?

Yes, it's generally safe for babies to sleep with a dummy. The Lullaby Trust suggest it might even reduce the risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS).

Can dummies help with wind?

Yes dummies may help your baby burp. The pressure from the dummy on the tongue can help release trapped gas as it relaxes the baby.

Can dummies help with colic?

While it's not a cure, a dummy may help soothe and comfort a colicky baby by allowing them to satisfy their sucking reflex and potentially reduce crying.

Do dummies help with teething?

A dummy can provide relief, comfort, and help the baby self-soothe during teething. Sucking on a dummy can help soothe sore gums. An orthodontic dummy is generally recommended as they have a flattened bottom and rounded top, designed to promote proper dental development.

How do dummies affect language development?

Prolonged and frequent dummy use, especially as children grow, can limit opportunities for baby babbling and sound exploration. A dummy can restrict the movement of the tongue and lips so it can impact the development of clear articulation, which could lead to difficulties with specific sounds, crucial during those early toddler years. The more a child uses a dummy, there is less of a chance that they will engage socially with verbal communication preventing their vocabulary growth.

Do dummies affect breastfeeding?

Dummies can potentially affect breastfeeding, especially if a dummy is introduced before breastfeeding is well established. Both the NHS and The Lullaby Trust advise to wait a month before you introduce a dummy. This is because the way a baby sucks on a dummy can differ from breastfeeding, and this can possibly cause "sucking confusion" and make it harder for the baby to latch on effectively. Additionally, dummy use can reduce the frequency of breastfeeding, which can impact milk production.

Things to avoid when using a dummy

• Your baby should take to the dummy naturally. If your baby spits it out, you don't need to force them to take it.

• Avoid using a neck cord or any kind of dummy attachments as these can be dangerous if they get twisted around baby's neck.

• Don’t put anything sweet on the dummy - prolonged use of a dummy when sweetened can cause tooth decay

• Avoid offering it during play and awake time and limit it to nap time/night time.

• Check there are no cracks or tears. If this happens the dummy should be replaced.

• The longer a dummy is used, the higher the risk for things like the positioning of developing teeth and jaws.

Pros

• It's generally considered easier to wean a child off a dummy than a thumb-sucking habit.
• Dummies can help soothe fussy or crying babies and satisfy their natural sucking reflex.
• They can help babies fall asleep and stay asleep.
• Some studies suggest that using a dummy during sleep may reduce the risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS).
• Dummies can provide comfort during stressful situations.

Cons

• Early or prolonged use may interfere with breastfeeding, potentially affecting milk supply or causing nipple confusion.
• Prolonged dummy use has been linked to an increased risk of middle ear infections.
• Prolonged use can also lead to dental problems, such as misaligned teeth (e.g., open bite).
• Babies can become dependent on dummies, making it difficult to wean them off later.
• A dummy might mask a baby's hunger cues, potentially delaying feeding.

Both the Lullaby Trust and NHS suggest to stop giving a dummy to your baby when they're between 6 and 12 months old.  This should be a gradual process and not be done in one go. Stopping it at this age will help lower the possibility of ear infections and misalignment of teeth.

If you're ready to try and wean your baby off their dummy you can try these tips:

• Introducing a different way to soothe your baby i.e soft blanket/cuddly toy or increasing skin-to-skin contact.

• Start limiting the dummy to certain times only i.e only in the car or at nap time

• Pick a good time to stop using a dummy so when your child is happy and things are stable

• For older babies and toddlers, start a reward chart, or create a "dummy fairy" similar to the tooth fairy where they give their dummies away in exchange for something.

• If your child is old enough to understand, explain that they are growing up and don't always need their dummy.

Why you can trust us

At Mother&Baby, our mission is to provide accurate and reliable reviews, ensuring our readers receive honest and transparent information about the best products available.

Our testers are either pregnant, or real parents with a baby or toddler. This could be members of our editorial team, freelance parenting journalists or external reviewers from the Mother&Baby awards.

We don't accept payment from manufacturers for product reviews, and maintain our editorial independence. While we do work with commercial partners on advertorials, these will always be clearly labelled.

Our writers have full control over their content, ensuring that products are selected based solely on the needs of our readers. While we may earn commissions or other compensation from links on our website, this does not affect our product choices. These links allow us to continue offering valuable consumer advice, without compromising the integrity of our reviews. We are always honest in our reviews, and we won't recommend products that we wouldn't spend our own money on.

About the expert

Susan Hogan, is a mum, qualified midwife and the co-founder of The Baby Academy - a platform offering classes and services to a community of new parents by leading healthcare professionals.

About the author

Samantha Ball is a Senior Writer for Mother&Baby, having written for the brand since 2018. She's a mum of three aged eight, three and one month old. She loves searching for the best and current trending products for little ones. She loves to bake, but spends most of her free time between football and ballet classes.