Best Pacifiers for Toddlers

Once your baby hits toddler age, their needs are going to change a little bit. Whereas your baby wanted the pacifier to simulate the nursing sensation, your toddler is going to see it as something which calms them. It will be somewhat of a transitional object, allowing them to have something to which they can connect when they’re presented with new or stressful situations. When you first put your toddler into daycare, for instance, the pacifier is going to be their connection to home. It’s going to be something familiar for them onto which they can hold. Because of this, choosing the right pacifier is important. You want to make sure it’s something your toddler won’t lose, and something safe for them to use for long periods of time. While you may think it’s time to leave the pacifier behind, and some studies suggest this isn’t a bad idea, if your toddler still feels the need to have one, consider one of these options.

BEST OVERALL | MAM Air Orthodontic Pacifier

MAM Air Orthodontic Pacifier

The MAM Air Orthodontic Pacifier is a great product. It features an open shield design which allows for air to flow freely, keeping your baby’s skin safe from any potential irritation or other issues related to moisture. The designs are incredibly cute, which is a big selling point for most. If you enjoy whimsical characters, the MAM seems to have chosen some great ones for this particular model of a pacifier. Onto actual safety features, the nipple is made of a “skin-soft” silicone, which is intended to better replicate the feeling of a mother’s nipple, making it more familiar and soothing for the child. This model also features an orthodontic nipple in order to avoid any potential issues with tooth growth as your baby grows. It’s even textured to make sure it stays more securely in your baby’s mouth. The price is good, the pacifier is designed well and it has all the necessary safety features needed to soothe your worries. The MAM Air Orthodontic Pacifier an MSRP of $5.99, but check the current MAM Air Orthodontic Pacifier – Amazon price here.

BEST DESIGN | Baby Fresh Food Feeder

Baby Fresh Food Feeder

Switching your baby over to solid foods can be a hassle, at times. Sometimes it’s hard for them to get a good grasp on what they’re trying, but when it comes to fruit and other types of soft foods, the design of this Baby Fresh Food Feeder pacifier is fantastic. It has a porous, textured nipple, so as your baby sucks and bites down, the food becomes macerated and can be consumed. At the very least, it gives you baby new taste sensations. At best, it allows them to consume healthy, fresh foods they may not be able to handle on their own. The product is free of chemicals such as BPA and has passed testing with the Food and Drug Administration. It also comes packed with multiple nipple sizes so you can continue to use it as your baby’s mouth grows larger. The textured surface also serves double duty, both making it comforting for you baby and allowing it to be used as a teething device. For the best teething experience, the maker suggests putting in frozen fruit or ice cubes to help soothe your baby’s irritated gums. In order to keep things nice and neat, and to keep your baby from getting sick, the pacifier comes with a cap so you can have the whole thing put into a bag for when the time is right. The Baby Fresh Food Feeder has an MSRP of $23.60, but check the current Baby Fresh Food Feeder – Amazon price here.

EASIEST TO USE | MAM Trends Orthodontic Pacifier with Clip

MAM Trends Orthodontic Pacifier with Clip

Along with the trusted MAM orthodontic pacifier, this particular package comes with the added benefit of a pacifier clip, something which is especially helpful for toddlers who like to run around and drop things like pacifiers. At this price point, you get two pacifiers and a clip, which is a pretty great deal. The pacifiers, of course, use the same skin-soft silicone seen in the other MAM models, as well as the openings to help with air flow. The added clip just makes things a little easier for parents who have toddlers who are always on the go. Simply place the special attachment around the knob grip of the pacifier, then clip the pacifier onto the strap. After that, you can simply clip the strap to any part of your child’s clothing and your worries about missing pacifiers should fade away. The MAM Trends Orthodontic Pacifier with Clip has an MSRP of $9.99, but check the current MAM Trends Orthodontic Pacifier with Clip – Amazon price here.

MOST VERSATILE | TenderTykes Waterproof Digital Pacifier Thermometer

TenderTykes Waterproof Digital Pacifier Thermometer

Since this pacifier isn’t designed for long term use, it’s a great option for toddlers who are transitioning away from them. It also doubles as a temperature reader, checking the child’s temperature every 25 minutes. If it detects a rise in your child’s body temp, which could signal a fever, then you’ll be notified with a simple tune. Just like any good pacifier, the thermometer is also BPA free and the company claims that’s it’s also dishwasher safe, although, reviews have clearly indicated that’s not the case. So, stay on the safe side and hand wash. Aside from its apparent waterproof ability, it can also resist a direct impact. The TenderTykes Waterproof Digital Pacifier Thermometer has an MSRP of $16.99, but check the current TenderTykes Waterproof Digital Pacifier Thermometer – Amazon price here.

BEST BARGAIN | MAM Day & Night Pacifier

MAM Day & Night Pacifier

While the MAM Day & Night Pacifier combo pack does turn out to be slightly more expensive than some of the other models discussed here, it has the added benefit of serving double duty, working as both a waking and sleeping pacifier for your toddler. As expected, it comes with the open shield technology to keep your baby’s skin from becoming irritated and it has neat designs. Where the Day & Night pacifier truly stands out is right there in the name: Day & Night. This pacifier is designed to be used at any point throughout the course of the day. Early morning, after lunch, nap time, overnight; anytime your baby is in need of a pacifier, this model is going to get the job done for you. As stated, three-pack in which it comes isn’t the cheapest, coming in at a bit over three dollars per pacifier, but if you don’t want to be dealing with a whole bunch of different types of pacifiers, you are going to want to pick these up. The MAM Day & Night Pacifier has an MSRP of $9.99, but check the current MAM Day & Night Pacifier – Amazon price here.

BOTTOM LINE

There’s a fair chance your toddler is pretty active and likes to be on the move. There’s also a fair chance you have to work, so you’re going to need to put your baby in daycare or leave them in the care of a family member. Whatever the situation, this can cause undue stress on your child, stress which can be eased by the use of a pacifier. If your child is nearing the point of giving up on the pacifier, perhaps going that route would work. If not, though, any of these fantastic options would be a great option for you and your child. If your toddler is teething and you’re in need of something to help sooth their aching mouth, check out our Best Teething Toys right here.