Medically Reviewed by: Susan Hogan RN, RM, MSc
Whether you're a fan or not, the best dummy can help soothe your little one when they're distressed, and help encourage them to fall asleep and the reason for this is simple; Babies are born with a strong sucking reflex, they have an innate ability to suck which they practice in the womb and explains how they know to intuitively suckle on their mother's breast when born.
If you'd like to introduce a dummy or pacifier to your newborn, it can be difficult to know when to start or even how to determine which are the best dummies for your baby. You'll need to consider the dummy's texture, durability and age suitability first, as well as ensure they are easy to clean (sterilising them would be handy!). Just like when choosing the right bottles for breastfed babies, there's a variety of shapes and sizes available, so you'll want one that not only suits your baby but one that is also age-appropriate.
To get some expert advice, we also spoke to Susan Hogan, midwife and co-founder of The Baby Academy to gain further insight and expert advice on when to introduce a dummy to a newborn.
Best baby dummies at a glance
It's also important that your baby's dummy is made from latex or food-grade silicone, is BPA-free and phthalate-free, and that you choose one from the correct age range for your baby.
Don't forget about additional purchases, such as dummy sterilisers and dummy clips, to make sure they stay clean and at the ready! Check out our round-up of the best dummies below, as well as answers to all your dummy-related questions further down.
Do babies need a dummy?
This one really comes down to you but know what your baby is regularly using their sucking reflex whether it's being breastfed or bottle fed, sucking on their thumb or a comforter. Whatever you decide, they will continue to suck with or without a dummy.
Not only can suckling and sucking comfort a baby, The Lullaby Trust say that if a baby uses a dummy at night, it may reduce the risk of SIDS (sudden infant death syndrome) so there's no real reason to scoff at it.
When to introduce a dummy?
Susan explains that waiting until your baby is at least one month old is recommended because during the first month of their new life, your baby is learning the art of breastfeeding, so it's important that all the suckling that they do is on the breast. "Firstly, every time your baby feeds from the breast, they are helping to build towards your milk supply (the more your baby feeds, the more milk you will make). The second reason is an efficient latch when breastfeeding is important for both mum's comfort and to ensure the effective transfer of milk from mum to baby. If your baby is suckling on the soother instead of suckling on the breast, this can result in fewer breastfeeds per day and less practice perfecting that perfect latch."
How we chose and tested these dummies
Like all our product recommendations, the best baby dummies are chosen based on a combination of real-world testing from our burgeoning army of mum testers and our experienced editorial team and product specialists.
At times when we can’t get our hands on something, we’ll select products only from reputable brands, scouring reviews, forums and real parent experience to ensure all products are fit for use and deserve a space in your home.
For the best baby dummies, we looked at a number of factors including design, durability, we also looked at price and how easy they were to clean.
Find out more about how we test products for Mother&Baby by visiting our How We Test page.
The best dummies 2025
1.
MAM Original Pure Soother
Best dummy overall
Mother&BabyThe care of a new baby does undoubtedly bring about a lot of waste, but in recent years, there's been a surge in demand for more environmentally-friendly baby products. In the dummy sphere, MAM's Soothers are now all carbon neutral making it a great option for environmentally-minded parents, it being the first carbon-neutral soother made of bio-renewable material. Attractiveness hasn't taken a backseat, however, as the cute animal designs also look very sweet.
"When my son saw this dummy, it was love at first soothe," Mother&Baby Parenting and Lifestyle Product writer Hannah James said. "It feels much nicer than other plastic dummies on the market. I love the flat and symmetrical design with MAM, and this design seems to be a favourite with my little one. I have used MAM for all of my children. I am overjoyed that this brand has created an eco-friendly dummy."
The flat, symmetrical design Hannah mentions was created with the help of orthodontists, so there is some peace of mind for parents that this soother is expert-tested as well as being overwhelmingly liked by little ones, judging by the reviews.
Pros
- Made from bio-renewable materials
- Kinder to the environment
- Self-sterilising box
- Symmetrical shape designed with orthodontic input
Cons
- For 16+ months only
| Suitable for: | From 16 months+ |
| Included: | 2 dummies and steriliser box |
| Material: | BPA/BPS Silicone |
Won Bronze at the Mother&Baby Awards 2023 for Best Product For A Newborn - 0-4 Months
The MAM Comfort Soother is small and lightweight—the smallest in the MAM range, in fact. Its size and design help mimic the natural suckling action of newborn babies while not adversely affecting oral development.
The MAM Comfort Soother is more expensive than some other supermarket alternatives, although it has been developed alongside speech therapists and paediatricians and so can boast it's research-led in design.
"You can tell that this product has been thoroughly well researched and developed by the company, and it would cover bases that are not normally covered by your standard dummies you would find in every supermarket," said our Mother&Baby mum reviewer. "The thing that I liked the most about the product was the shape and size of the teat. When my son used this product, I didn’t feel that his mouth or teeth would be affected by it."
Another happy reviewer said: "Can not recommend these dummies enough! My baby girl only has a small mouth and found all other sizes and shapes uncomfortable for her. These are absolutely brilliant!"
Some parent reviewers found the teat was too small, however, so it's certainly best to upgrade to a larger design once your baby is a few months old or showing signs of needing a larger one.
Packed in a convenient steriliser box, the MAM Comfort Soother can quickly be sterilised in three minutes in the microwave - handy for the many occasions a new baby will spit it out onto the floor!
Read our full MAM Comfort Soother review.
Pros
- Small orthodontic teat supports natural sucking
- Promotes healthy oral development
- BPA and BPS-free
- Comes in a carry box
- Can be sterilised in the microwave in 3 minutes
Cons
- Some testers found it too small
| Suitable for: | 0 months+ |
| Included: | Two soothers and self-sterilising travel case |
| Material: | BPA-free silicone |
3.
Philips Avent Soothers
Best dummies for babies with sensitive skin
AmazonWon Bronze at the Mother&Baby Awards 2022 for Best Product For A Newborn
These Philips Avent Soother Pacifiers are ideal for babies with sensitive skin. They've been designed with extra large air holes to keep the delicate skin around the baby's mouth soft and dry.
Find it easily at night thanks to its clever glow-in-the-dark feature. We also love that the travel case, which comes with these dummies, doubles as a steriliser — add some water to it and pop it in the microwave.
Orthodontically approved and durable, these soothers may not be the cheapest on the market but they are from a reputable brand and do get great reviews. They are BPA-free, made with medical-grade silicone, and tailored for a baby up to six months of age.
One of our parent reviewers, Louise, said she would definitely recommend this product. "The fact it is orthodontically approved is reassuring and reduces the hesitation factor against trying dummies. The glow-in-the-dark element is fantastic, too, making it very easy to ease a waking child by quickly finding the soother without having to turn on any light and disturb everyone. The case is really useful for sterilisation, storage and transportation."
Read the full Philips Avent Soothers, 0-6m Ultra Air Night Soother review.
Pros
- Comes with sterilisation and travel box
- BPA-free
- Glow in the dark button
- Medical-grade silky silicone teat
Cons
- Have to 'charge' them to glow, and not all are glowing designs so purchase carefully
- Silicone tends to pick up fluff
| Suitable for: | 0-6m |
| Included: | 2 dummies |
| Material: | Silicone |
Best ultra-light dummies
©MOTHER&BABYwww.tommeetippee.com
Tommee Tippee is another recognisable and trusted brand in the baby world, and these soothers - the lightest made by Tommee Tippee - get the great reviews you might expect. The teat is made from BPA-free and medical-grade silicone and is very soft to give your baby a skin-like feel. A particularly great feature is its anti-static properties, which prevent dust from sticking to it.
"My baby seems to be a lot calmer when using this product, and keeps the pacifier in his mouth longer than he does with other brands due to its texture and lightness," said Victoria, one of our Mother&Baby parent reviewers. "It's also anti-static, which means it's great at repelling dust, so when it does drop out of his mouth, I don't constantly need to wash it, and it feels hygienic."
Another of our reviewers, Ashley, said her breastfed son took to them well, which is not always the case with soothers.
Read the full Tommee Tippee Ultra Light Silicone Soother review.
Pros
- BPA-free
- Dishwasher safe
- Anti-static properties
- Two in pack
- Comes in a carry box
Cons
- Some parents found they struggled to find the dummy in the night because of the neutral colours
| Suitable for: | 6-18 months |
| Included: | 2 dummies |
| Material: | Silicone |
Best glow-in-the-dark dummies
©MOTHER&BABYThe MAM Night Soother is accepted by 94 percent of babies, so if you're a parent who likes the security of stats in decision-making, this is comforting news!
If you prefer to rely on tried and tested reviews, these are also overwhelmingly positive - including this one from our own Mother&Baby reviewer, Charlotte: "First time using this product my little boy took to it straight away. Looked comfortable and did not leave any marks on his skin. It allowed some time to catch up on chores whilst he napped peacefully whilst sucking his dummy."
Like other MAM soothers, the Night Soother has been designed in cooperation with paediatricians and orthodontists and has a soft silicone teat. Named for its glow-in-the-dark feature, it glows brightly at night, making it easy for any parent to find in the dark without disturbing their little one.
Read the full MAM Night Soother review.
Pros
- Great for healthy jaw and teeth development
- Glow in the dark feature
- Travel case to keep dummies self and to sterilise
- BPA-free
Cons
- Some found the dummy was too large for smaller newborns
| Suitable for: | 0+ Months |
| Included: | 2 dummies with self-sterilising travel case |
| Material: | Silicone |
Best dummies for breastfed babies
©MOTHER&BABYThe Nanobebe soother is perhaps most renowned for its success with exclusively breastfed babies, as the smooth, soft, rounded teat is designed to mimic the feel of a nipple. There are options for newborns and babies older than three months. One mum reviewer graduated from the smaller to the bigger size and succeeded with both.
"My little one took to these fine when she was 5 weeks old,” she said. “He's now 5 months and has moved up to the next size and is still using them happily to soothe himself when he's uncomfortable and for sleeping. I've been exclusively breastfeeding and these haven't affected his latch."
Some less-than-positive reviews claim the teat is too small and that the silicone material – although lovely and soft – picks up fluff when dropped. However, the vast number of happy reviews outweigh the negative, earning the Nanobebe Soother a spot in our best dummies round-up.
Pros
- BPA-free; made from the highest quality, food-grade silicone
- Familiar shape and feel prevent teat confusion
- Different sizes available
Cons
- Some reviews found the teat too small
- Silicone tends to pick up fluff
| Suitable for | 0-3 months |
| Included: | 2 pack |
| Material: | Silicone |
7.
Chicco Soft Ergonomic Silicone Dummy
This Chicco Soft Ergonomic Silicone Dummy is created by paediatricians and approved by orthodontists. Made from one single piece of silicone, it’s designed to fit correctly within the mouth and not affect developing teeth.
It has a super soft teat, too, to provide your baby with as much comfort as possible, even when they're asleep. BPA free and coming in funky colours, these dummies are a great option.
One happy reviewer commented, "Really nice colours, and they're also great for my child's teeth. Love Chicco pacifiers!" However, a couple of reviews said the colours faded with the amount of sterilising.
Pros
- Promotes the correct growth of teeth and gums
- Ergonomically shaped with ventilation holes
- Created by paediatricians
- Comes in a carry box
Cons
- Colour fades with sterilising
- Silicone tends to pick up fluff
| Suitable for: | 6-12 months |
| Included: | 1 dummy |
| Material: | silicone |
Best value dummies
Asdagroceries.asda.com
Asda's Little Angels Day + Night Soother is a brilliant on-a-budget option that glows in the dark so parents can locate it easily at night. BPA-free and featuring cute designs and a clip-on, clip-off handle, there’s no reason not to buy several, so you’re never in short supply when you need!
"I like the subtle colours and the pictures on the front of the dummy,” said Our Mother&Baby reviewer Abigail. “I also like that they are BPA-free and that this is made clear."
Another of our reviewers, Harriet, found it too bulky overall, and it doesn’t boast some of the features of higher-end soothers. But overall, these are affordable supermarket choices that get good reviews.
Read our full Asda Little Angels Day + Night Soothers review.
Pros
- BPA free
- Soft silicone teat
- Affordable
Cons
- Not tested or approved by experts such as paediatricians and dentists
| Suitable for: | 0-6 months |
| Included: | 2 dummies |
| Material | BPA free. Soft silicone teat. |
How to choose the best dummies for you and your baby
Material: It may come as no surprise that baby dummies can be made from different materials including natural rubber, silicone or other soft plastics. Silicone pacifiers are generally regarded as a safer choice for babies with latex allergies or sensitivities. Natural rubber ones are softer and safer than plastic ones, and free from harmful chemicals like BPA and they biodegrade after disposal. Win win!
BPA-free: Always choose BPA and phthalate-free.
Good ventilation: A good dummy should have ventilation holes.
Easy to clean: Check your baby's dummy can be popped in the steriliser - this is the best way to know it has been cleaned well. Some also come with a carry case which is handy when out and about and need to pop it back in your nappy bag.
Size: Just like bottle teats, you have to get the age-appropriate dummy size. There are some specifically for newborn and others for older babies. If the silicone or latex piece can still be seen, it is often the wrong size. Similarly you don't want a big dummy which could obstruct the nose you want to make sure the baby dummy rests against their face and they're content sucking it without any difficulty.
Weight: Lightweight dummies are ideal as they reduce the strain on a baby's oral and facial muscles, and to help them stay in place.
Shape: A flat dummy design allows for unrestricted tongue movement and the ones with an ultra-thin neck promote natural mouth closure and reduces the risk of dental misalignment.
Dummy safety
Are dummies safe for newborns?
Yes they are perfectly safe but as suggested above, it's best to wait until your baby is a month old before introducing an age-appropriate dummy.
Do dummies affect teeth development?
"While most babies do not require a dummy and may be satisfied with breastfeeding, bottle-feeding or cuddles as a source of comfort, some babies do find comfort sucking on their thumb or a dummy," says Susan. "It is important for parents to understand that prolonged use of dummies may result in misalignment of teeth, such as the upper teeth protruding or the top and bottom front teeth not touching. This can alter the way the teeth come together when biting and may also impact the child's speech development, particularly with regard to the 'S' and 'Z' sounds. "So if you are using a dummy, the advice would be to wean your baby off the dummy around the one-year mark to reduce this risk."
How often to sterilise dummies?
"The advice we give to parents is to sterilise your baby's dummy before its first use and then to clean it daily, just as you would clean a bottle feeding teat," advises Susan. "It's important to note that you should never clean a dummy by putting it in your mouth before it goes into your baby's mouth. One tip we always give to parents is to check regularly for cracks, splits and holes, as they can act as germ traps! And it's good practice to renew your baby's dummy often."
Can babies sleep with dummies?
Yes, it's generally safe for babies to sleep with a dummy. The Lullaby Trust suggest it might even reduce the risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS).
Can dummies help with colic?
While it's not a cure, a dummy may help soothe a colicky baby by allowing them to satisfy their sucking reflex and potentially reduce crying.
Tips on how and when to stop your baby from using a dummy
The NHS suggests to stop giving a dummy top your baby when they're between 6 and 12 months old. This should be a gradual process and not be done in one go. Try and wean them off it by offering other distractions and alternatives.
FAQs
How do I sterilise my baby's dummy?
Always refer to the manufacturer's instructions first, as these may differ. The most common way to sterilise a baby's dummy though is to use a baby bottle steriliser, popping it in microwavable sterilising bags or popping it in some boiling water. Some dummies will come with sterilising pots that you can fill and pop in the microwave too. Neither of these methods needs to be long, you're looking at around five to 10 minutes each.
Why do babies like dummies?
Sucking and suckling are innate behavioural mechanisms in babies. They do it as it's a natural, soothing reflex that helps them feel calm and secure.
Do dummies need sterilising before use?
Yes sterilise your baby's dummy the first time you use it and then regularly and daily after.
Which is better - dummy or thumb sucking?
A dummy is considered better because it's easier to control, whereas thumb sucking is harder to stop and monitor and children can carry on doing it for years.
About the expert
Susan Hogan, is a mum, qualified midwife and the co-founder of The Baby Academy - a platform offering classes and services to a community of new parents by leading healthcare professionals.
About the author
Stephanie Anthony is the Deputy Digital Editor at Mother&Baby and auntie to four aged 7 to 2 months old. With a particular interest in health, she loves discovering products that make parent’s lives easier.