Best dummies for breastfed babies, tested by babies and parents, designed for easy latching

Finding the best dummy for your baby isn't an easy task, and if you are breastfeeding your baby, you'll want it to be a suitable dummy for your breastfed baby. While every baby finds comfort in different ways, suckling is a basic instinct for all newborn babies, both for feeding and comfort. That's why pacifiers provide a level of comfort for your baby.

If you're looking to find a safe and durable dummy that your baby will easily accept, then you're in the right place. We’ve put together an extensive buying guide packed with independent parent testing and expert insights to help you make the best choice for your little one.

To help you work out what is the best pacifier for your breastfed newborn, we've summed up the best dummies for breastfed babies on the market so that you can start shopping straight away, along with expert guidance and advice from Dr Tim Bradstock-Smith (BACD, AACD) Cosmetic Dentist and Owner of The London Smile Clinic and MAM's in-house Midwife Angie, MSc BSc. Note that there are some on this list that are compatible with dummy clips, whilst others are multipacks, so you'll always have one spare.

Best dummies for breastfed babies 2025 at a glance:

Dummies and breastfeeding – should you use a dummy?

Dummies are not bad for babies, but it is important to consider the implications of using a dummy while breastfeeding. Sometimes, babies can suffer from 'nipple confusion' as they struggle to switch from a dummy back to your nipple and vice-versa, so it's important to find a dummy similar to the texture of your nipples. That's why looking at the best dummies for breastfed babies is in their best interest as well as yours.

It's safe to give your baby a dummy. In fact, some special care units use dummies to comfort little and poorly babies while they are having tests or injections. Evidence shows that suckling eases pain, and when your boob isn't close at hand, a dummy will do nicely.

"A recent systematic review published found no difference in the duration of breastfeeding between women who used a soother for their baby from birth and those who did not," Midwife Angie says. "However, it is crucial that soothers are used for sleep only in the first few weeks. Using a soother to console a baby may interfere with feeding cues and the supply-demand balance, potentially affecting the baby’s weight gain and milk supply. If you notice any changes in the baby’s latch or attachment whilst using a soother, consult your midwife, health visitor or breastfeeding specialist for advice," she advises.

"Using a dummy for a breastfed baby is a personal choice, "Dr Tim says. "Some studies suggest that dummies can help soothe babies and even reduce the risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). However, excessive use can lead to nipple confusion, which might affect breastfeeding. It’s advisable to wait until breastfeeding is well-established before introducing a dummy," Dr Tim continues.

If you're breastfeeding your baby, then it's generally recommended to hold off giving your newborn a dummy until about six weeks to make sure they are settled, suckling your breasts.

How we chose and tested these dummies for breastfed babies

We tested 12 of the best dummies designed specifically for breastfed babies, with real parents and their little ones helping us put each product through its paces. Our testers included premature babies and newborns up to 18 months old, allowing us to see how each dummy performed across different stages of early development. The testing was conducted over a period of two months, during which parents used the dummies in everyday situations like soothing, naps, and bedtime routines. This hands-on approach helped us assess how easily babies accepted each dummy, how comfortable they were while using it, and how practical the products were in terms of cleaning and maintenance.

Our selection criteria focused on what really matters to parents and babies, including safety, comfort, durability, adjustability, ease of use, and value for money. We looked closely at the teat shapes to see how well they mimicked breastfeeding nipples and encouraged natural sucking, as well as the orthodontic design to support healthy oral development. We also consulted experts — including a MAM's in-house Midwife Angie, MSc BSc. and a Dr Tim Bradstock-Smith (BACD, AACD) Cosmetic Dentist and Owner of The London Smile Clinic specialising in baby teeth development and breastfeeding to ensure the recommendations we provide are medically sound and support both the baby’s health and feeding needs. Their guidance helped us evaluate important factors beyond just comfort and usability, like the impact on feeding success and oral health.

Our recommendations combine the insights gained from real-world testing with the knowledge of our experienced editorial team and product specialists. We also take into account feedback from our community of parents to keep improving our advice. For essential products such as dummies, our annual Mother&Baby Awardsshortlist the top performers, and the winners and runners-up often appear in our top picks articles alongside other highly rated products.

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

The best dummies for breastfed babies 2025

What to look for in the best dummy for your breastfed baby

Whether you're looking for the best dummies for colic, reflux or premature babies, there are a few things to look for, particularly with dummies for newborns. "To choose the best dummy for your breastfed baby, consider factors such as the shape and size of the teat, the material used, and whether it is orthodontically designed to support dental development," Dr Tim says.

The dummies must be made of latex and be BPA- and phthalate-free. It is also important that they are sized and shaped for your baby's mouth - always check the advised age range. Your baby's nose should be clear. Lastly, dummies should be taste-free and odourless.

"Dummies that mimic the shape and feel of a mother's nipple can help reduce nipple confusion. Look for BPA-free materials and consider dummies with ventilation holes in the shield to allow air circulation and reduce skin irritation," Dr Tim advises.

It's better to invest in a dummy approved by the British Dental Health Foundation to ensure you purchase a safe and certified product.

When shopping for your baby's dummy, consider the following:

Materials – most dummies have a silicone teat with a plastic handle, but others can be made with a latex teat. While latex is softer, it probably won't last as long. According to Midwife Angie, "Some babies prefer the feel of a latex soother, whereas others prefer silicone. It can be baby-dependent, but it is worth noting silicone tends to last longer and is slightly more durable than a rubber teat."

Safety – It's important to consider risks involved including dental issues, nipple confusion and also how opting for a dummy can reduce the chance of SIDS. You should also replace their dummy every 4-8 weeks or sooner if they show signs of damage, wear, or discolouration.

Age range – Make sure the dummy you buy is suitable for your baby's age range. They often start at 0-6 months, 6-18 months and 18 months plus. "All soothers have age ranges, and it is important to use the smaller soothers for newborn babies as the teats and shields will be smaller and more suited to your baby’s mouth," Midwife Angie advises.

Teat shape – We'd recommend opting for an orthopaedic dummy, which is flatter in shape, rather than a cherry-shaped rounded dummy while your baby is breastfeeding. This is because the orthopaedic teats are designed to encourage your baby to suck in the same way they would when breastfeeding. "Some newborn babies find soothers with a thicker teat easier to take in the early weeks as they can be easier for some babies to continue sucking on, whereas other babies prefer the thinner shaped teats of the soother because it’s flatter and mimics the shape of breastfeeding. Every baby is unique and individual," Midwife Angie says.

Ease of cleaning – Most dummies clean easily with washing up liquid and warm water. For younger babies, we'd also recommend sterilising them after cleaning. Some dummies even come with sterilising containers for sterilising on the go.

Ventilation holes – Your baby's dummy must have two or more ventilation holes on the shield to prevent suffocation and help prevent sores around the mouth.

Pros and Cons of using dummies for breastfed babies

Pros of using dummies for breastfed babies

• Dummies can prevent your baby from sucking their thumb

• Dummies are also called pacifiers, as they can calm your baby

• You can use a dummy to distract your baby during vaccinations

• If your baby has colic, using a dummy can keep them calm

• Most premature babies are given a dummy.

Cons of using dummies for breastfed babies

• Sometimes dummies can interfere with breastfeeding; to avoid this, you need to make sure your baby is feeding well and gaining weight before introducing a dummy

• It can be really hard to break the habit of using a dummy

• If your baby uses a dummy all day, it can be harder for them to communicate with you or begin to make sounds

• Your baby could suffer from 'nipple confusion' as they struggle to transition between using the dummy and breastfeeding. A sign of this could be difficulty latching on whilst breastfeeding.

To use a dummy safely and to minimise any dummy risks, there are a few steps to take. Don't tie the newborn dummy to your baby with strings or ribbons which could get tangled around your baby, and never dip it in sugar or foods of any kind.

Make sure you sterilise your baby's dummy regularly, especially if it gets dropped when out and about. You can do this using a bottle steriliser, a microwave steriliser or by boiling the dummy to remove any contaminants. Some are dishwasher safe too. Make sure to let it completely cool before giving it to your baby.

Check your baby's soother regularly to see if it has broken or cracked, and replace it as soon as you see any damage.

When and how to introduce a dummy to a breastfed baby

Introducing a dummy to a breastfed baby can be a helpful tool for soothing, but timing and technique are key to avoid disrupting breastfeeding success.

Best time to introduce a dummy

Experts generally recommend waiting until breastfeeding is well established before offering a dummy. This usually happens at around 4 to 6 weeks postpartum. According to the NHS and the NCT, early introduction (before this point) can lead to nipple confusion or interfere with your baby’s ability to latch and feed effectively.

If you’re breastfeeding without pain, your baby is gaining weight well, and your milk supply is consistent, it’s likely safe to introduce a dummy.

How to introduce a dummy

• Choose the right time: Try offering a dummy after a feed, when your baby is full but still alert and wanting to suck for comfort.

• Don’t force it: If your baby refuses the dummy, try again another time. Some babies never take to them, and that’s OK!

• Use it for soothing only: Dummies are best used for helping babies settle to sleep or during moments of fussiness, not as a way to delay feeds.

• Keep it clean: Sterilise regularly and replace dummies every 1–2 months.

Pro Tip: When you're giving your baby a dummy (pacifier), gently hold it in place in their mouth for a few seconds. This helps them get used to how it feels and learn the sucking rhythm needed to keep it in on their own.

Some babies will naturally spit it out at first, not because they dislike it, but because they’re still figuring out how to keep it in. Holding it briefly helps them learn and adjust.

When and how to wean a breastfed baby off a dummy

There’s no one-size-fits-all rule for weaning, but most experts agree that weaning off a dummy between 6 and 12 months is ideal — particularly to reduce risks to oral development and avoid dummy-dependency during sleep. The NHS Scotland said this can help reduce any impact on speech development.

When to wean

• The NHS recommends weaning off the dummy by around 12 months, as prolonged use (especially past age 2) can affect speech and teeth alignment.

• The NCT also notes that babies use dummies for comfort, so it’s best to wean gradually once they can self-soothe more easily, often around 6–12 months.

How to wean gently

• Start slowly: Begin by removing the dummy during awake periods, but keep it for naps or bedtime if needed.

• Use alternatives: Replace the dummy with other comfort items like a soft muslin, sleep toy, or soothing sounds.

• Offer extra cuddles: Physical closeness and calming routines (rocking, singing) help ease the transition.

• Talk them through it: For older babies or toddlers, simple explanations like “The dummy is for sleeping only now” help set boundaries.

• Go cold turkey (if needed): Some parents find success with a firm, sudden stop, just be prepared for a few days of fussiness.

Best dummies for breastfed babies FAQs

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.  Our Mother&Baby Awards are renowned in the industry and are among the most highly respected product awards for baby and parenting products. Every year, we arrange for thousands of independent parent reviewers to test the latest products on the market.

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 won't recommend products we wouldn't spend our money on.

Read more about how we test and why you should trust us.

About the experts

Dr. Tim Bradstock-Smith is a Cosmetic Dentist and Owner of The London Smile Clinic. During his career, he has created winning smiles for clients, models and celebrities from all over the UK and around the world. He has taken innumerable postgraduate courses in cosmetic dentistry and has been published in professional journals on the subject.

Midwife Angie is MAM's in-house Midwife. Also known as the Eco Midwife, Angie is a practising NHS midwife with over 10 years of experience. She also teaches KGHypnobirthing antenatal and hypnobirthing classes in Swindon and North Wiltshire.

About the author

Hannah Carroll is our Senior Digital Writer. In her capacity, she curates top-notch listicles, crafts insightful how-to guides, and delivers expert product reviews. As a mother of three, Hannah draws upon her comprehensive understanding of all facets of family life to bring true insight into all the products that make running a home easier.