Pacifier Choice: Tips from an IBCLC
Choosing the Right Pacifier: It Depends on the Goal
There’s a lot of conflicting information out there about pacifiers and understandably many parents feel overwhelmed. The right pacifier can be a helpful tool - but not all pacifiers serve the same purpose. Some are designed to support oral function and feeding skills, while others are better suited for comfort and promoting a tongue-up, palate-resting position during sleep. Understanding the difference matters.
In recent years, long, round, shaped pacifiers have often been recommended because they encourage tongue cupping, which is important when babies are learning to feed at the breast or bottle.
When we’re working on feeding skills, especially helping a baby latch or return to the breast, long, round pacifiers that support a deep latch and tongue cupping can be very useful. These shapes encourage the tongue to lift, cup around the pacifier, and create suction using the tongue and jaw- which are oral function skills that directly support and improve breastfeeding and bottle-feeding.
Ninni Co Pacifiers are an excellent choice! The unique nipple design is made from soft medical-grade silicone. This design supports optimal oral development. Plus, there’s an added bonus: these pacifiers are perfect for suck training exercises. If you have a NICU baby or one who struggles with breastfeeding initially, the Ninni Co Pacifier can be a helpful tool for teaching proper latch and sucking skills. Use our code TINYTUMMYTRIBE for a discount on Ninni Co pacifier and products. (click to go to website)
LeeLee and Me Pacifiers are designed to promote healthy oral development. Made from premium silicone, they offer a soft yet durable feel, ensuring a comfortable fit for your baby. With their well-designed, sloped wide shape, these pacifiers help babies maintain a proper latch, making them an excellent choice. Click here to Purchase on Amazon.
Dr. Brown’s Pacifiers are a trusted favorite among parents, and it’s easy to understand why. Their design promotes a natural sucking motion, supporting healthy oral development. The lightweight shield features ventilation holes to keep your baby comfortable and help prevent skin irritation. Click to purchase on Amazon
Pacifiers for Sleep and Tongue Resting Position
During sleep or rest, the goal is different. We don’t want the tongue actively cupping. Instead, we want the tongue resting up against the palate, which is its natural and healthy resting position. This tongue-up posture supports airway stability, calms the nervous system, and promotes optimal oral development.
This is where a flattened shape pacifier can be helpful. These pacifiers don’t encourage strong suction or tongue cupping. Instead, they gently guide the tongue upward toward the roof of the mouth. Used intentionally, they can be a therapeutic tool during the transition to sleep.
In practice, this might look like offering a flat shape pacifier as your baby is settling, allowing the tongue to lift and rest upward, and then removing the pacifier once your baby has fallen asleep. At that point, the pacifier has done its job.
MAM pacifiers have a flattened, sloped shape that can support a tongue-up resting position during soothing and sleep. They don’t require strong suction, allowing the tongue to relax upward toward the palate rather than actively suck down. Click here to purchase on amazon
The Bottom Line
Pacifiers are tools and like any tool, their value depends on how and why they’re used.
- Long, round, sloped pacifiers can support feeding skills when the goal is improving latch and tongue cupping.
- Flattened pacifiers can be used therapeutically to encourage a tongue-up resting posture during sleep.
- Bulbous pacifiers don’t support healthy oral function and are best avoided.
If you’re ever unsure which pacifier is appropriate for your baby or if you’re working on specific oral motor skills reach out to a qualified lactation or feeding professional in your area. Individual guidance can make all the difference.