Pacifiers - The Good, The Bad and How to Choose

Ever found yourself staring at the pacifier aisle, wondering, “Which one do I even need?” or "Is this helping—or just hiding a cry?" It’s overwhelming! Today, we'll explore pacifiers through the gentle, thoughtful lens of a lactation consultant —covering the pros, the cons, and how to choose (or skip) with confidence.

First Things First: The Why Behind the Pacifier

Pacifiers are not a must-have—they’re a choice.Think about your reasons. Is it just a reflex when the baby cries? Or are you leaning on it because you’re in a rush, or it’s easier in public?

Every cry is communication. Instead of grabbing a pacifier, consider playing detective—what is your baby trying to tell you?

• Are you using it to stifle crying?

• To buy time before feeding?

• To quiet them in public?

• For naps or babysitters?

• Are you soothing, or avoiding discomfort?

  
  

The Pro & Con Breakdown

Pros

• Sucking is inherently soothing.

• Helpful for regulation—especially when a baby struggles with breastfeeding or has an oral restriction.

• With the right shape they can help a baby with oral function issues to work on suction strength.

  
  

Cons

• Masking a feeding cue when baby is really hungry

• Too many styles—some can disrupt oral development.

• Hard to wean off.

• May override your baby’s way of expressing needs.

• Not ideal for nighttime—in terms of airway and oral development due to keeping the tongue down and off the roof of the mouth where it belongs.

  
  

Guiding Principles: When and How to Use a Pacifier

• Start safe: Wait until 3–4 weeks to use one when breastfeeding is well established.

• Timing matters: Ideally, phase it out by 6–8 months for oral development reasons

• During sleep? Remove it when they nod off. Nudge gently on their chin to close their mouth to encourage closed-mouth breathing and proper tongue posture.

Choose wisely:

• Skip bulb or flat shapes—they can mess with how the tongue rests or how the palate forms.

• Instead, go for pacifiers made of natural rubber, silicone, or latex.

• Opt for ones that mimic tongue cupping—like the Advent Soothie , Nano Bebe, Itzy Ritzy Sweetie or the malleable, breast-like Ninni Co.

Not ideal shapes

Ideal shapes that promote tongue cupping

How It Can Work for You

Imagine: baby is in full meltdown, and you need a moment. Offer the pacifier. Let them suck, calm down. Then, once they’re grounded, switch to breastfeeding or bottle-feeding when everyone’s relaxed and ready. That’s using it as a temporary bridge—not a crutch.

Your Biggest Takeaways

• Pause and reflect: “Why am I using the pacifier?”

• If you do choose one, prioritize shapes that support healthy oral development.

• Remove it during sleep, encourage proper breathing and tongue position.

• Aim to wean by 6–8 months—most babies don’t need it beyond that.

• Can be great to use for oral development exercises in some cases.

Find our list of pacifiers that we LOVE here.

Need more help? Book a visit with Wisco Lactation! We offer home & office visits in Southern Wisconsin and NE Illinois. Including Milwaukee, Madison, Kenosha and the surrounding areas. Virtual visits offered worldwide!

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