Philips 2 Pack AVENT Soothie Pacifier, Blue, 0-3 Months

Product Information

This is a well-made dummy that won’t lose its shape, even following a few months of use. Made from silicone, it can be used for babies up to six months old and has an orthodontic shape to help maintain healthy mouth and teeth development. Thankfully, dummies (or pacifiers, as they’re known in the US) arrive in a number of shapes and sizes. Better yet, even the best newborn dummies won’t cost the earth, making that all-important trial-and-error phase in the first few days and weeks a feasible process. Parents can help their babies adapt to a dummy by encouraging them to use it regularly, making it a part of their daily sleep routine.

More expensive than some rival models on this list, the cost feels justified when the dummy feels more durable than some other options available on the market. It’s easy to clean, and comes recommended by breastfeeding mothers who have labelled it a “breastfeeding-friendly soother”. Like the Nanobebe Flexy Soother, this dummy is also open on the outside, allowing parents to pop their finger inside and help assist a baby to soothe, or to remove the dummy when led by the baby’s cues. So, what is the best way to keep your baby's dummy clean? Bryony urges: “Never clean the dummy by putting it in your own mouth.” Bryony’s advice is to clean your baby’s dummy by using one of these options:

Can using a dummy damage my baby’s teeth?

As part of Tommee Tippee’s Closer to Nature range, these breast-like soothers are designed to support breastfed babies with their soft, flexible teats. We also welcome the dummy’s “no wrong side up” design, which is handy when helping a baby find their dummy at night.

Research conducted by the Lullaby Trust shows that using a dummy when putting a baby down to sleep, while following all other safe sleep advice, can reduce the risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) – although it doesn’t specify exactly what it is about a dummy that helps reduce this risk. However, if the dummy is in any way damaged, ripped or split, you must discard it immediately, since it can be a choking hazard and extremely dangerous. Can I use a dummy if I’m breastfeeding? Silicone is now thought to be safer than plastic. It is also softer than plastic. It is more durable than natural rubbers and latexes and is also more resistant to bacteria than the natural materials. We really loved that you can put your finger in the opening (from the outside of the dummy) to help pop it in and out gently, as required. As a go-to for essential baby products, Tommee Tippee is a well-known name to many parents around the world. The brand’s newborn dummy offers great value for money, and is the perfect choice for soothing your baby in a natural way.Parents in our BabyCentre community said: “We used MAM night dummies with my first and have bought a couple for this baby too. They glow in the dark too.” For any other breastfeeding concerns, consult your midwife, health visitor or one of the UK’s helplines, such as the National Breastfeeding Helpline or La Leche League. Will using a dummy affect my baby’s teeth and mouth shape? Avoid dummies made from latex if your child has a latex allergy or you have a latex allergy in the family. This flexible dummy offers breast-like softness and won’t leave a mark around your baby’s face. Thanks to its contoured, ergonomic design, it helps soothe breastfed babies, putting them at ease in a naturally comforting way.

There are many different options, such as natural rubber, latex, silicone, and soft plastic," said Bryony. Here is her expert advice on what to consider, and what to look out for when choosing a dummy for your baby. Among the long list of must-have items for newborns: pacifiers. Not only are they good for soothing fussy babies, but they're also recommended by the American Academy of Pediatrics for use during naps and bedtime to reduce the risk of SIDS. Pacifiers for newborns are great additions to a baby registry. Soon after birth, there will be sleepless nights aplenty, and a dummy can help both baby and parent to get some much needed rest. The Philips Avent dummy is dedicated to keeping little ones from fussing in those very early days of life, with its small teat making it suitable to soothe even premature babies up to six months. Design and Materials: Many pacifiers are made from silicone, which is what Horne suggests, but natural rubber and latex are also options. All of these materials are BPA-free. Natural rubber pacifiers are also free of PVC, phthalates, parabens, and other chemicals, but they are much less flexible than latex and silicone. Be aware that some babies (and parents) may have latex allergies. In addition to the materials of the pacifier, parents should also pay attention to its design. “Consider pacifiers that are one whole piece rather than pacifiers made of multiple parts, as these may pose a choking hazard,” says Horne. Additionally, she suggests purchasing pacifiers that are dishwasher-safe since it’s important to “wash them regularly to reduce bacteria growth.” Once a baby gets a little older, becoming more apt at removing a dummy themselves, the all-silicone design will be more toy-like and great for teething: a baby will be able to hold the dummy and chew the teat or shield to soothe gums and teeth.

We found this dummy maintained its colour and shape, even after sterilisation multiple times over months of use, and we loved the ventilation holes in its shield that further add to baby’s comfort. Something else to think about when it comes to dummy design is how easy they are to keep clean. “An ‘all in one’ design, where the dummy is made from one material, may help to prevent bacteria and germ accumulation and is easier to keep clean,” Bryony advises. Designed for the first three months of a little one’s life, this dummy is widely used to soothe premature babies since the teat here is softer compared to the brand’s 3+ month Flexy Soother. The latter is better suited to a baby’s oral development as they get a bit bigger.

Yes. A newborn dummy should be used once breastfeeding is established, which is around the four-week mark, although some parents find success introducing it earlier. This time frame differs for each infant, but introducing a dummy after a few weeks shouldn’t impact how a baby breastfeeds. Pillai Riddell RR, Racine NM, Gennis HG, et al. Non-pharmacological management of infant and young child procedural pain. Cochrane Pain, Palliative and Supportive Care Group, ed. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2015;2017(7). doi:10.1002/14651858.CD006275.pub3Natural rubbers are considered ‘non-toxic’ and also often have an ‘all in one’ design which helps to prevent tearing. Before using a brand-new dummy for the first time, it should be boiled in hot water. Following this initial clean, and for the first six months, a newborn dummy should be sterilised every day, or whenever it has dropped on the floor, sofa or a less-than-sanitary surface. In fact, it’s recommended that you sterilise the dummies of babies under a month old before every use. By the time most babies reach six months (have put almost everything in sight in their mouths), they will have met with many pathogens. At this point, it’s fine to just wash their dummy with soap and water. As one of the smartest newborn dummies on the market, this product has an oval, orthodontic teat, with a curved shield that compresses easily. The latter allows air to flow more freely, thereby alleviating pressure on a baby’s gums and teeth. Safety was first in mind when we searched for pacifiers for newborns. We looked at the design, material, and value of each product on our radar. We also consulted Jennifer Horne, the director of product management and an international board-certified lactation consultant at The Lactation Network.