Best dummies and soothers for babies

From budget-buy to glow in the dark dummies for night time you should be able to find one to suit you and your baby.

Below the list of our pick of best dummies we also have some useful information, including how to clean a dummy, which dummy is best for breastfeeding and how to safely use a dummy at night. If your baby really struggles to sleep at night even when using a dummy, you might consider a baby sleep aid or white noise machine to help even more.

Best dummies and soothers at a glance

• Best dummy for night time: MAM Air Night Soothers, £7.85 for 2
• Best sustainable dummy: NUK for Nature Soother, £6.49
• Best dummy for sensitive skin: Pippeta All Silicone Soother, £6.50
• Best dummy for style: MAM Colours of Nature Soother Matt Range, £6.15 for 2
• Best dummy for breastfed babies: Nanobebe Flexy Soother, £5.50 for 2
• Best dummy for newborns: Phillips 2 Pack Avent Soothie Pacifier, £11.85 for 2
• Best dummy for teat options: BIBS Dummy, £4.50
• Best dummy for staying in: Tommee Tippee Ultra-Light Silicone Soother, £6.99 for 2
• Best dummy for dental development: Dr Brown's PreVent Soother, £5.99 for 2
• Best budget dummy: Boots Baby Classic Soothers, £4 for 2

What to consider when choosing a dummy

Size – Dummies come in a variety of sizes based on age. Ensure you have the right size dummy for your baby to ensure a good, safe fit.

Material – Most dummies are made of silicone, however, there are some natural latex options if you want to be more eco-conscious, or if your child has an allergy.

Teat shape – There are a variety of teat shapes to choose from, the most popular ones you'll see are orthodontic, round and symmetrical. The round and symmetrical teats often work well for breastfed babies, while orthodontic teats are good for preventing dental issues and promoting healthy teeth and gums. Teat shape comes down to preference, and babies vary as to which one they prefer.

Air holes – Having good ventilation is essential, especially if your baby has sensitive skin. Air holes in the dummy shield help to ensure the skin doesn't get irritated during prolonged dummy use (such as overnight).

Cleaning – Some dummies are easier to clean than others. One-piece dummies are often the easiest, while those made of multiple pieces may have little ridges or cracks you'll need to wash. Some include little sterilising boxes or are dishwasher-safe whilst others will need to go in the steriliser.

Style – Dummies may not sound the most glamorous but there are many cute designs and pretty colours to choose from when buying a dummy. Don't let design be your first reason for purchase, though. You'll only be disappointed if your baby rejects it.

Our pick of the best soothers/dummies for babies

1. MAM Air Night Soothers, £7.85 for 2

– Best for night time

Sizes: 6+ months, 12+ months | Colours available: Blue, purple/pink | Materials: Silicone |

This dummy is a brilliant option for night time thanks to its handy button that glows in the dark, making it easy for parents and babies to find in the middle of the night. MFM Consumer & Reviews Editor Gemma used this dummy when her son was a toddler and recalled, "I've watched my son wake up in the night and locate one of these in seconds, thanks to the glow in the dark feature".

The shield of the dummy has large air holes for extra air flow, which is good for your baby's skin and can reduce reddening and allows you to see your baby's smile behind the dummy.

The teat is a flat, symmetrical shape to fit into your baby's mouth and it is orthodontic, meaning it supports healthy development of your baby's teeth. The silicone teat is claimed to have a 94% acceptance rate and the dummies are BPS and BPS free.

A really useful addition to this dummy is the sterilising carry box that comes with it. Parent tester Gabriella who tested this dummy with her 8 month old (pictured above) said, "I love the case – it is so convenient. I can sterilise in just 3 minutes. My son took to the soother straightaway, and thank to the glow in the dark features, it was so easy to find the soother at night time".

The dummy is available in a whole host of different colours and prints.

Pros: Glow in the dark light for night time, good air flow, orthodontic, sterilising carry box, variety of colours
Cons: Only available in 2 sizes

Available from: Boots and Amazon

2. NUK for Nature Soother, £6.49

– Best for sustainability

Sizes: 0-6 months, 6-18 months, 18+ months | Colours available: Cream, red, green | Materials: Natural rubber latex

The NUK for Nature Soother – as the name suggests – is a great sustainable option. The dummy is made with 98% renewable resources and the teat is made from a natural ingredients, with renewable raw materials sourced from the milk of a rubber tree. It's biodegradable and has a lower CO2 footprint than silicone. Even the shield of the dummy is eco-friendly; it's made from bio-based plastics which are linked to more than 99% ISCC certified renewable raw materials.

Not only is the dummy made with of sustainable materials, it is also produced sustainably, using green electricity that's climate friendly. On top of that, the packaging is 100% recyclable too.

The eco-friendly dummy has an asymmetrically shaped teat to try and mimic the shape of a mother's nipple to try and reduce nipped confusion and support healthy teeth and jaw development. The material of the tea is soft and flexible, meaning there is not too much pressure on your baby's teeth and jaw and it claims to have a 95% acceptance rate.

The dummies are available in a variety of natural colours which parent tester Donna, who tested this with her 11 month old, said "are so beautiful." She went on to say, "I love how muted they are, compared to all the other bright options to the market and the teat looks and feels so smooth and natural."

Pros: Sustainable, asymmetrical shaped teat, natural teat, orthodontic, 3 sizes available, variety of colours
Cons: No sterilising box, more expensive than others

Available from: Boots and Amazon

3. Pippeta All Silicone Soother, £6.50

– Best for sensitive skin

Sizes: 0-12 months | Colours available: Duck Egg, Blush | Materials: Silicone

This dummy is ideal for sensitive skin, thanks it its curved design to go around your baby's cheeks and nose, preventing the dummy from rubbing and causing skin irritation or rashes.

The teat of the dummy is made from soft 100% food grade silicone and is durable and sterile. It has a rounded bulb shape nipple design to try and increase acceptance rate. The shield of the dummy is also soft and can be used as a teether too.

The dummy is free from BPA, PVC, Phthalates, Lead, Latex and Cadium. Unlike some of the other dummies in this list, unfortunately, this one is only available in one size and is only suitable for up to 12 months.

Parent tester Katie, who tested this dummy with her 5 month old said, "I absolutely love this soother and will be buying a spare when my son starts nursery. He is soothed by it from sucking and gnawing and the quality is just outstanding."

The dummies are available in 2 stylish, earthy-toned colours; Duck Egg and Blush.

Pros: Great for sensitive skin, bulb shape nipple design teat, food grade silicone, lovely colours available
Cons: Only suitable for up to 12 months, only one size, no sterilising box, more expensive option, not orthodontic

Available from: Pipetta and Dylan & Dora

4. MAM Colours of Nature Soothers Matt Range, £6.15 for 2

– Best for style

Sizes: 0-6 months, 6-12 months | Colours available: Pink/purple, grey/blue, green/cream, nature designs | Materials: Silicone

These dummies don't scrimp on style, the new Matt colour range has a large variety of colours to choose from with some featuring little nature and woodland animal designs, like the ones pictured above.

The shield of the dummy has a curved butterfly shape design which increases comfort. Similar to the MAM Air Night Soothers, these also have big air holes and little dimples on the inside to ensure your baby has a good ventilation and to be kind to their skin.

The teat is a symmetrical design made of silicone and is orthodontic, to promote healthy development of your baby's teeth.

The dummies are BPA and BPS free and come with a self sterilising travel box the same as the MAM Air Night Soothers, making on-the-go cleaning easy and hassle-free.

Parent tester Lyndsey tested this dummy with her baby (pictured above) and said, "They come in a great choice of colours that I feel are very unisex. I have not seen any other soothers in this design or matte colours and I do think that they stand out from the rest. They come in a box which you can keep them in as well as a sterilisation box which is really useful."

Pros: Lots of colour and design choice, stylish, big air holes, orthodontic, sterilisation box, great value
Cons: Only suitable for up to 12 months, only available in 2 sizes

Available from: Boots and Amazon

5. Nanobebe Flexy Soother, £5.50 for 2

– Best for breastfed babies

Sizes: 0-3 months, 3-12 months | Colours available: Turquoise, white, grey, pink, sage | Materials: Silicone

The Nanobebe soother is ideal for breastfed babies due to the soft rounded teat which aims to resemble the familiar shape and feel of a nipple. Parent tester Crystal tested this dummy with her 3 month old and said, "I would definitely recommend these soothers to new mums – especially those breastfeeding. My baby took to it just like the breast." The teat also promotes healthy dental developments and is made from medical-grade silicone.

The dummy is designed to curve around your baby's nose and chin to help it stay in and fit comfortably in your baby's mouth. It's soft and breathable too with vents for airflow.

They're available in a variety of colours and are excellent value, priced at just £5.50 for 2.

Pros: Good for breastfed babies, excellent value, orthodontic, medical-grade silicone, designed to stay in the mouth, breathable, variety of colours
Cons: Only suitable for up to 12 months and only available in 2 sizes

Available from: Nanobebe and Amazon

6. Phillips 2 Pack Avent Soothie Pacifier, £11.85 for 2

– Best for newborns

Sizes: 0-3 months, 3+ months | Colours available: Green, purple | Materials: Silicone

The Phillips dummy is suitable for 0-3 months, making it a good starter dummy – in fact it's the dummy brand that's distributed in hospitals (for preemies and smaller term babies – it's usually recommended to establish breastfeeding before introducing a dummy). It's BPA free and sized and shaped to fit a newborn's mouth. It's also latex free and is made with hospital-grade silicone.

Its one-piece design makes it very hygienic too as there are no nooks and crannies for dirt to get into.

Parent tester Sani used the Phillips dummy with her baby (pictured above) and said, "My little one was on the unit for 3 months and came out not wanting to change from it at all. I loved the independence it gave my little one and it never fell out unless he was playing with it".

You can choose from green or purple, however, the design is very simplistic.

Pros: Hospital recommended, good for newborns, hospital-grade silicone, orthodontic. hygienic
Cons: Only suitable for young babies, plain design, fairly expensive option

Available from: Amazon

7. BIBS Dummy, £4.50

– Best for teat options

Sizes: 1 (0+ months), 2 (6+ months), 3 (18+ months) | Colours available: 50| Materials: Natural rubber latex

BIBS gives you the option of choosing a teat type to suit your baby. The dummies are available with a round teat, anatomical teat or a symmetrical teat to try and best represent what your baby is used to and reduce confusion or rejection.

The shield is round to resemble the shale and size of a breast to help comfort your baby and has 3 vent holes for air flow as well as a BIBS engraved handle ring. It's made of 100% food-safe material and is free from BPA, PVC and Phthalates.

The shield is designed to face away from your baby's skin to prevent moisture building up from saliva which can cause rashes and sore spots. Parent tester Ellie who uses this dummy with her baby (pictured above) loves the design and said, "The edge of the dummy sits slightly away from his face, meaning that dribble doesn't get trapped under t so his face doesn't get sore, and of course we love the cool colours you can get them in!"

As for the style of the dummy, with 50 colours to choose from, you will be able to find one to suit your preference.

Pros: Options of teat, air flow, food-safe material, natural rubber latex, high quality, lots of colours to choose from, lots of sizes available
Cons: Not orthodontic, more expensive option

Available from: BIBS and Amazon

8. Tommee Tippee Ultra-Light Silicone Soother, £6.99 for 2

– Best for staying in

Sizes: 0-6 moths, 6-18 months | Colours available: White/green| Materials: Silicone

This Tommee Tippee dummy is the brand's lightest one yet. The lightweight design helps your baby keep it in their mouth comfortably for longer and stops you having to keep placing it back in their mouth.

The teat has a symmetrical orthodontic design, supporting healthy oral development. It's made of 100% medical grade silicone which is durable and flexible, giving it a skin like texture that feels familiar to your baby's mouth.

The shield is curved with large air holes to ensure good ventilation and prevent moisture build-up. The dummies are easy to clean too, they have anti-static properties which prevent dust from settling and it's one-piece design, similar to the Phillips dummy stops dust and dirt getting into the nooks and crannies. When it does need a clean, it's dishwasher safe.

Parent tester Eleanor uses this dummy with her baby (pictured above) and liked that it wasn't too big or bulky and found the teat seemed shorter than others which meant it didn't set off her gag reflex."

Pros: Lightweight, orthodontic, medical grade silicone, durable, large air holes, easy to clean, dishwasher safe
Cons: Not many colour choices available, very plain design

Available from: Boots and Amazon

9. Dr Brown's Prevent Soother, £7.99 for 2

– Best for dental development

Sizes: 0-6 moths| Colours available: Blue, pink/purple| Materials: Silicone

Although a lot of the dummies on this list are orthodontic, this one is specially designed by a paediatric dentist to prevent dental issues such as posterior crossbite. The silicone bulb-like teat has a suction-free air channel and is thin so reduces the pressure inside your baby's mouth which promotes healthy oral development and prevents issues arising further down the road.

The shield has fun animal designs with a classic fit that should fit most babies. The only think to note is that this dummy does have smaller air holes than others in this list so if your baby has sensitive skin you may want one with larger ventilation holes.

Pros: Prevents dental issues and promotes healthy oral development, cute animal designs, affordable
Cons: Small air holes compared to other and only available for 0-6 months

Available from: Amazon

10. Boots Baby Classic Soothers, £4 for 2

– Best budget buy

Sizes: 0-6 months, 6-18 months | Colours available: Pink, grey, blue | Materials: Silicone

These Boots own-brand dummies are excellent value priced at just £4 for 2, including a sterilising box. The dummies are made from silicone and have orthodontic symmetrical teats which feel comfortable in your baby's mouth, even if they're placed in upside down.

Parent tester Joanne uses these dummies with her baby (pictured above) and said, "They are a good price, we've bought some more expensive ones and she prefers these more. They just stay in her mouth and are very light."

The shield has large holes for your baby to have good airflow and protect their delicate skin. Their super easy to clean as they're dishwasher friendly and come with their own sterilising box.

Even though they're cheap they're still very cute with their choice of colours and designs from stars and clouds to cute quotes such as "Dream Big" featured on the shield.

Pros: Great value, comes with sterilising box, orthodontic, big air holes, dishwasher-safe, cute designs
Cons: May not be as high quality as others

Available from: Boots

Pic credits: Product website and MFM Top Testers

What shape dummy is best for teeth?

In general, an orthodontic dummy is best for your baby's teeth and is specially designed to promote healthy oral development. Orthodontic dummies tend to be flat on the bottom and round on the top.

We suggest Dr Brown's PreVent Soother (number 9 on the list) as a good place to start, but we have many more orthodontic options included in the best list above too. If in doubt, speak to your dentist for advice, especially if you continue dummy use beyond 12 months.

What dummy is best for breastfeeding?

For breastfed babies you want a dummy that will best represent the mother's natural breast and nipple. Therefore, it's recommended a symmetrical or round shape teat is the best. Try the Nanobebe Flexy Soother for an affordable option.

Can you use a dummy at night?

Yes, a dummy can be used at night, and products like the MAM Air Night Soothers are designed to be easy to find in the dark. The NHS and The Lullaby Trust have found using a dummy could reduce the risk of SIDS, although the evidence is not strong and they do not know why this is.

Although dummies can be used at night there are a few tips from The Lullaby Trust to ensure it is done safely:

• If you choose to use a dummy, wait until breastfeeding is well established
• Stop giving a dummy to your baby between 6 and 12 months
• If you do use a dummy, make sure to offer it to your baby for every day and night time sleep
• Don't force your baby to take a dummy or put it back in if your baby spits it out

How do I clean my dummy?

Treat your dummy just like you would a bottle teat and keep it clean at all times. Some dummies are dishwasher safe, others can be washed in the sink with a mild washing up liquid. It's also recommended that you sterilise them as you would other items feeding equipment. If your child drops their dummy on the ground, swap it for a fresh one.

Ideally you should sterilise a dummy every day. Some come with a sterilising box to help with this, and you can even buy tiny portable sterilisers like the Nuby UV soother steriliser (£25) or the Milton soother steriliser (£7.50) to sterilise on the go. We recommend always keeping a clean one in your steriliser ready for emergencies.

Read more...

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• Best baby sleep aids and white noise machines
• Best baby bottles suitable from birth