Best Pacifiers for Breastfeed Babies (from a Lactation Consultant + mom)
This is one of those topics that can feel… oddly controversial in the breastfeeding world. Some people say avoid them completely. Others say it doesn’t matter at all.
Here’s the truth: pacifiers aren’t inherently “bad.” But the type you choose does matter, especially in the early weeks while breastfeeding is being established.
First: What Actually Makes a Pacifier “Breastfeeding Friendly”?
Spoiler alert: it’s not because it “looks like a boob.”
I see this marketing all the time… round nipples, skin-tone colors, words like “natural” and “breast-like.” But just because something looks like a breast doesn’t mean it functions like one.
What we actually care about is this: a wide base
The base of the pacifier (the part that touches baby’s lips) should be wide enough that baby has to open their mouth wide to latch onto it.
Think about breastfeeding: We want a wide, open mouth with lips flanged outward.
A narrow-base pacifier allows baby to latch with a shallow, small mouth position, & those habits can absolutely transfer back to the breast.
👇Some of my favs!👇
The “Triangle Test”
This is my favorite quick check. The tip of the Paci down to the base ideally creates the shape of a triange.
When in doubt… if baby’s lips are tight, puckered, or barely open… it’s probably not supporting the oral pattern we want for breastfeeding.
