9 best dummies for newborns and babies: Tried and tested

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From breast-like designs to orthodontic teats, discover the best dummies for newborns and babies

Babies are born with a natural suckling instinct, so whether you're bottle-feeding or breastfeeding, using a dummy or pacifier can be a helpful way to relax and soothe your baby before bed.

Like finding the best bottle for breastfed babies,

choosing the right dummy can be daunting. While recommended for relatively short-term use, many modern dummies feature ventilated shields, breast-like teats, and even anatomical and orthodontic designs to support healthy oral development. Using a dummy consistently as part of your baby’s bedtime routine can help teach your child that it's time to go to sleep.

To help you find the best dummy for newborns and babies, I enlisted the help of some mini testers to see each dummy in action and chatted to industry experts and dentists about safe dummy use. Whether you’re seeking the best dummy for colic babies, breastfed babies or the smallest of newborns, I’ve got you covered.

The best dummies for newborns and babies have lightweight, ventilated designs, with an ergonomic shape that protects the delicate skin around your baby’s nose.

As a Mum of two, blogger and parenting content writer, I have spent over 10 years testing and reviewing products for babies and children — from scrutinising anti-colic bottles to discovering the best white noise machines for a peaceful night’s sleep.

To determine the best dummies for babies and newborns, I physically reviewed each product, assessing its design, shape, materials, and durability. I also considered the ease of cleaning and sterilisation, as well as, if applicable, the quality of the hygiene case.

Next, I enlisted the help of some mini testers, observing their acceptance and comfort levels, particularly the fit around their mouth and nose. For older babies, I also assessed how easily they could grab, remove and replace the dummy without assistance.

As every baby is different, I researched and verified consumer feedback on each dummy, gaining more tried-and-tested perspectives from parents.

Finally, to learn more about safe dummy use, I consulted experts Jenny Ward from The Lullaby Trust, Katherine Walker from the NCT and dentists Dr Annie Smith and Dr Mary Baptista, founders of Little Brushies.

Extra small and lightweight, the MAM Original Start dummies come in four different sizes, the first of which is suitable from birth. I love this dummy shield's unique ‘butterfly’ shape, available in a vast range of colours and designs. With substantial air holes for ventilation, the ergonomic dip at the centre also prevents skin irritation around your baby’s nose.

As an official NHS supplier, the MAM Original Start dummies feature a tooth-friendly design, developed in collaboration with dentists. This was particularly noticeable during testing, as the thin and symmetrical teat allowed for healthy tongue positioning, regardless of the orientation.

The teat on these dummies is made from super-soft silicone, which feels natural and flexible — a great first dummy for breastfed babies once feeding is well-established. I was also impressed by its durability, with the teat able to withstand some fairly forceful pulling and stretching.

While the ‘button’ is perfectly sized for small hands, I felt that some older babies might prefer a handle, especially when popping it back in independently.

The durable carry case with self-sterilising feature was also a real plus point. There’s no need to pull out your steriliser every time the dummy gets dropped; simply clip open the case, add 20 ml of water, and pop it in the microwave for three minutes.

The NUK for Nature Dummies offer excellent value for money and are made from 100% raw materials and presented in sustainable packaging.

I love the soft silicone and flattened shape of this teat, designed to protect your baby’s oral development and leave plenty of space for their tongue as they suckle. NUK claims an impressive 95% acceptance rate with this teat, and my 12-month-old tester had no complaints, grabbing hold of the large carry handle and popping it back into his mouth independently.

It has a discreet design in muted shades, and the curved shape sat comfortably below my tester’s nose, with no irritation or marks after use.

The durable design of the carry case was ideal for keeping the dummies hygienic outside the home, although there is a particular knack to opening it. It has space for both dummies to be stacked side by side and closes securely without rattling, allowing you to throw it in your changing bag confidently.

Having been impressed by the Philips Avent baby bottles during testing, especially for breastfed babies, I was keen to test this brand’s Ultra Air dummies. Avent claims a 98% teat acceptance rating, and I was not disappointed. My tester took to them with no quibbles — largely thanks to their small and lightweight design.

The silicone teat is smooth and soft to the touch, featuring a symmetrical shape that supports the natural contours of your baby’s palate. That said, I loved the slight rounding at the end, which creates a more familiar, natural feel.

While the grab handle does hang down relatively low during use, I loved the muted and discreet colour scheme, with large ventilation holes and a gentle curve around the nose. I was also impressed by the generously sized self-sterilising carry case. Thanks to the clearly marked water line, cleaning in the microwave between uses was quick and straightforward.

If you’re concerned about oral development, Dr Brown’s PreVent Soothers are an excellent (and affordable) choice.

Designed in conjunction with dentists, it features an angled, orthodontic teat that’s curved on top and flattened at the base. It has a thin stem and air channel that spreads apart as your baby sucks, and my tester found it a little unfamiliar at first, but became more comfortable over time. It’s the best dummy for tongue-tie and high palates, providing far more freedom for natural tongue positioning during use.

I love the curved butterfly shield and striking floral design on these dummies, with large grab handles that were easy for my testers’ small hands to hold. I also welcomed the individual hygiene cases, allowing each dummy to be stored independently, far more practical for days with your baby outside the home.

If you’re breastfeeding, you may find your baby suckles to sleep even when they’re not hungry — as such, a high-quality dummy can be a massive source of comfort.

The all-in-one, soft silicone design of the Tommee Tippee Breast-Like Soothers has a familiar, breast-like feel. In addition to a natural, matte finish, the symmetrical teat and large base create a familiar, open-mouthed latch, making it ideal for parents who want to switch between a dummy and breastfeeding.

While they aren’t the most aesthetically pleasing of dummies I tested, I love the large ventilation holes and lightweight design, which Tommee Tippee claims is 30% lighter than its previous offering. There’s no hygiene or self-sterilising case with these dummies, but with no ridges, handles or buttons, they’re an absolute breeze to clean — both boiling- and steriliser-safe.

If you’re looking for a dummy or pacifier for a newborn or premature baby, the Tommee Tippee Newborn Soothers are ideal, with extra-small, discreet shields suitable for the tiniest of mouths.

Made from soft silicone that stretches and flexes just like the nipple, the teats have a straight, symmetrical shape with no right or wrong way up, ensuring you can quickly comfort your newborn and ease symptoms of colic or reflux.

I love the super lightweight design, with large air holes and integrated handles. However, the muted shades do make them almost invisible in your baby's cot or crib, especially when you're sleep-deprived!

For speed and convenience, the reusable carry case doubles as a steriliser pod — just ensure all corners are clicked securely into place.

Designed and made in Denmark, BIBS dummies come in a vast choice of muted and modern colour schemes. I love their breathable designs, featuring compact, round shields that provide ample space around your baby’s nose.

While they’re less recommended for long-term use, round ‘cherry’ shaped nipples can feel more familiar for breastfed babies, potentially easing the transition if using soothers or pacifiers for the first time. As expected, my breastfed tester quickly took to these latex teats.

While the cherry teats are large, I love that they include a valve, allowing them to flatten to the shape of your baby’s oral cavity during use.

It’s worth noting that they don’t come with any hygiene cases for storage, which would have made a nice addition for the price.

The MAM Original Night Soother was the best night-time teether my mini testers tried, boasting all the benefits of the MAM Original Soother while glowing in the dark!

It’s a great addition to your baby’s bedtime routine, with the central button creating a subtle luminous green glow in a dark nursery setting. While it’s not enough to ditch your nightlight entirely, it's a great way to check on your baby during the night, also showing up clearly on the baby monitor during testing.

Just like the MAM Original, the self-sterilising case is a helpful feature, taking just three minutes to refresh and sanitise while you read a bedtime story.

Babies with colic and reflux can find a dummy particularly comforting, easing symptoms by encouraging them to swallow more regularly after their feeds. The Ultra-light StayPut dummies are the lightest one-piece silicone soothers on the market, designed with less skin contact to help them stay in place for longer.

Despite not including any hygiene cases, I love the sustainable packaging, and with four dummies in the set, it offers excellent value for money. The unique design has no handle or button like traditional dummies, but the all-in-one silicone is both lightweight and flexible, with a soft and familiar feel that left no marks on my tester’s face.

The dummy has a symmetrical teat and shield, and my tester found the matte finish and soft silicone to be familiar and comfortable, resulting in an enthusiastic, Maggie Simpson-style suckling. I love how the orthodontic vented teat compresses during use — it's gentle on developing gums and allows for a natural tongue position.

Dummy use (and their acceptance) can vary from one baby to another, but let’s look at the general pros and cons.

Advantages of using a dummy

Katherine Walker from NCT explains, ‘Babies are born with a strong urge to suck, and using a dummy can help meet this need. Many babies will suck fingers or their thumb instead of a dummy which can be more challenging to stop. Using a dummy during a medical procedure, such as vaccinations, can also help the baby to cope.’

Jenny Ward from The Lullaby Trust adds, ‘Some research suggests that regularly using a dummy for every sleep (both day and night) can lower the risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS).

‘We don’t yet know exactly what it is about a dummy that lowers the risk of a baby dying of SIDS. But this doesn’t mean you should force your baby to take a dummy. If they spit [it] out, don’t worry about putting it back in.’

You can learn more about safer sleep and reducing the risk of SIDS on The Lullaby Trust website.

Disadvantages of using a dummy

Walker explains, ‘Overuse of the dummy during wakeful time may interfere with language development and possibly teeth issues if dummy use is prolonged.’

Ward shares, ‘If you choose to use a dummy, wait until breastfeeding is well established (usually when your baby is around four weeks old). Use an orthodontic dummy that adapts to your baby’s mouth shape, and make it part of your baby’s sleep routine by offering the dummy for every sleep, not just some, to help you and your baby get into a sleep routine.’

For safe use, Ward notes the following:

‘Babies’ teeth tend to begin to emerge between the [ages] of four and seven months, and it is important that baby teeth are cared for [with] gentle brushing. If using a dummy, it mustn't be covered in anything sweet, as this could cause decay,’ explains Walker.

Dentists Dr Smith and Dr Baptista advise, ‘If you choose to use a dummy, our advice would be to use an orthodontic-type dummy and use it for the shortest possible duration.

A child’s use of a dummy (pacifier) impacts on tooth and jaw development in two ways: front teeth not touching when a child bites together (anterior open bite) and narrowing of the palate, leading to lower back teeth sitting outside upper back teeth (posterior crossbite) when the child bites together.

The longer the dummy is used, the greater the negative effect on the harmonious development of these oral and facial structures. There is some evidence to show that “orthodontic dummies” have a less negative impact on the anterior open bite formation compared to “regular dummies,” but more research is needed to see if they reduce the development of posterior crossbite.

One incidental benefit of dummy use, however, is that children who start using a dummy within the first three months of life are less likely to develop thumb sucking habits which can also be detrimental to orofacial development and even more challenging to resolve.’

Here are some key factors to consider when selecting the best pacifier, soother or dummy for babies:

Dummy size: It’s essential to select the right size dummy for your baby’s age. Choose a dummy that’s too big, and the shield is likely to be uncomfortable around your baby’s nose and mouth. Too small, and it could easily become a choking hazard.

Design and shape: Is the dummy shield curved or rounded to avoid irritation around your baby’s nose? Is the shield well-ventilated with holes for airflow? While less important, you may also want to consider the colours and patterns available.

Material and teat style: Look for dummies made from food-grade silicone or latex and ensure they’re free from BPA, PVS and phthalates. Your baby may have a preference for specific types of dummy or teat styles. Flatter orthodontic teats support healthy oral development; however, breastfed babies may prefer those with a broad base and rounded teat for a more familiar latch.

Case included: Not all dummies come with hygiene cases, and these can be incredibly useful when using a dummy outside the home. Many cases hold two dummies at a time, while others have individual cases, which can be more practical. Cases also double up as sterilisers, providing a quick and easy way to sanitise your dummies between each use.

Ease of cleaning: If they don’t come with a self-sterilising case, consider how easy the dummies are to clean. Are they safe to boil and sterilise? All-in-one silicone designs tend to be easier to clean, as they have no areas for dirt or bacteria to hide.

Handles or buttons: Younger babies are still developing their fine motor skills and, as such, may find dummies with buttons easier to grab hold of. Older babies may prefer the convenience of grab handles.

Additional features: Glow-in-the-dark designs can be helpful for overnight use.

To assist with my research and testing, I spoke with Jenny Ward from The Lullaby Trust, Katherine Walker from the NCT and Dr Annie Smith and Dr Mary Baptista from Little Brushies, who each shared some valuable insights.

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Mum of two Lucy Cotterill specialises in parenting and lifestyle content and loves helping parents find the best products to support their family. Creating content on her own blog Real Mum Reviews since 2012, Lucy has also written parenting content for top publications, including Mumsnet, Emma's Diary, Families Online, IndyBest and The Standard.

Jenny Ward is the CEO of The Lullaby Trust, a charity whose mission is to keep babies safe and support grieving families. Through guidance and campaigns, the Lullaby Trust empowers parents, carers and professionals by providing trusted advice on baby safety.

With 18 years at the charity, Jenny also co-chairs the Pregnancy and Baby Charity Network, working alongside 25 charities to reduce infant and maternal mortality.

Katherine Walker is a practitioner at the National Childbirth Trust (NCT), a UK charity that supports parents throughout pregnancy, childbirth and the early stages of parenthood.

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