The 10 Best Non-Toxic Pacifiers: Your Baby Will Love

best non-toxic pacifiers for babies

There are so many really great non-toxic pacifiers to choose from. Whether you want a rubber pacifier or a silicone pacifier, this post will address which options are best for your baby and IT will even give you really great ideas for non-toxic pacifier clips and non-toxic pacifier holders.

It is so important to select a non-toxic pacifier for your baby. But with all of the options for pacifiers out there how do you know which ones are the best choice. Or which ones work best for a breastfeeding baby. Well, the good news is there are 10 amazing options and I will break them all down. I guarantee you that at least one of these will be the best non-toxic pacifier for your baby. All of these options are also really great for breastfed babies as well.

This post may contain affiliate links. I promise to only recommend products that I use with my own children. You can read my full affiliate disclosure policy here.

Are pacifiers good for babies?

Yes, absolutely pacifiers are good for babies! There are a few reasons why giving your baby a pacifier is a good idea.

  1. A baby is born with 6 different reflexes: rooting, sucking, moro, grasp, stepping, and tonic neck. A pacifier will stimulate the natural sucking reflex. For babies, the sucking reflex is one that is very calming and soothing. This is why as soon as you stick a pacifier into a baby’s mouth, they will calm down right away. It is so important for your baby to learn how to self-soothe and pacifiers help a lot with this.
  2. The American Academy of Pediatrics has done several studies showing a decreased risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) in babies when they are put to sleep with a pacifier in their mouths. This includes any time your baby sleeps, whether it be nap times or at night time. 1

Are there any cons to pacifier use?

While pacifiers (especially non-toxic ones) are considered 100% safe and good for babies to suck on there are certainly some things you should be aware of.

  1. Always choose one-piece pacifiers for your little one. There is always a chance that a two-piece pacifier can separate and pose a choking hazard for your little one,
  2. Never use bottle nipples as a pacifier. They can cause unnecessary amounts of air to get into your baby’s belly, causing gas and colic. Even worse it may pose a choking hazard if the nipple separates from the nipple ring. Most importantly, a baby bottle nipple isn’t meant for long continuous sucking the way a pacifier is. It is super important to always use baby products the way they are intended to be used!
  3. There is some talk that using a pacifier may cause an increase in the possibility of earaches, dental problems, and speech delays. 2
    There is no actual proof of these claims and no way to determine if it is actually pacifier use that causes these or something else entirely. But it is important to have information from both sides so you can make the best decision for your baby.
baby with a non-toxic pacifier

Why should I buy a non-toxic pacifier?

As a general rule of thumb, anything that comes into contact with your baby for an extended period of time should be made from natural materials and contain no harmful, toxic chemicals. This is why I always recommend selecting non-toxic baby products for your little one, whenever possible. Since many babies will suck pacifiers for long periods of time throughout the day and then at night while they are sleeping, choosing a non-toxic pacifier is a very important decision. Natural pacifiers will not expose your baby to any dangerous materials, such as BPA, Phthalates, PVC, heavy metals, or microplastics.

Natural Rubber vs. Silicone…which is best?

Just like I discussed in my non-toxic baby bottle post about choosing between natural rubber or silicone nipples for baby bottles the same thing is true about pacifiers. Since both rubber and silicone are completely natural and non-toxic they are both really good options. Deciding which material is best for your baby really is a personal preference and may even come down to which one your baby prefers. At the end of the day, the best pacifier for your baby is the one that they will use.

Of course, they both have their own pros and cons, which are helpful to make note of.

Natural Rubber Pacifiers: Pros and Cons

Pros:

  • Natural rubber Pacifiers (also referred to as latex pacifiers) are completely natural, as they are made from the milk from a hevea brasiliensi tree (a.k.a. a rubber tree)
  • Rubber is softer than silicone and also more elastic

Cons:

  • Natural rubber has that characteristic rubber smell
  • It needs to be stored out of sunlight and heat to avoid damage
  • It is not as durable and may eventually stretch out and lose its shape
  • Rubber should be avoided if there are any latex allergies in your family (with the exception of Natursutten)

Silicone: Pros and Cons

Pros:

  • Has a very neutral smell
  • Are easy to clean because they do not attract a lot of dust and they can withstand high temperatures
  • You don’t have to worry about any allergic reactions

Cons:

  • Not as soft as rubber
  • Silicone is made from synthetic materials that are not found in nature
  • Not as elastic as natural rubber latex
What about Medical-grade silicone pacifiers vs Food-grade silicone pacifiers?

I would also like to address the differences between medical-grade silicone and food-grade silicone really quickly.

Food grade silicone means that it is safe for food to come into contact with it. It does not require an extensive amount of testing to ensure quality and safety. However, it is required by the FDA to be free of all toxic materials (BPA, PVC, Phthalates, and heavy metals)

Medical grade silicone is the cleanest and purest silicone available. Because medical-grade silicone needs to be safe for medical procedures it is held to the highest standards and requires lots of strict testing.

So the best option when choosing a silicone pacifier is to select a medical-grade pacifier. But food-grade silicone is still very safe and non-toxic as well.

non-toxic pacifiers

The Best Non-Toxic Pacifiers to Soothe Your Baby

Natursutten

Natursutten pacifiers were always my top pick for my babies and also the ones that they were happiest with. They are made from pure, all-natural super soft rubber and are completely biodegradable. They are handcrafted in Italy so you know they are high-quality non-toxic pacifiers. If you are looking for a rubber latex pacifier, but are worried about a possible latex allergy, worry no more because that is not a problem with Natursutten- the protein that causes an allergic reaction to latex is removed completely during production so they are absolutely safe for everyone.

Naturesutten pacifiers are made from a one-piece construction making them hygienic plus you don’t have to worry about them breaking into two separate pieces. There are a few different options that you can choose from: you have a choice between either a butterfly-shaped pacifier, which has the cut-out in the top of the shield making extra room for your baby’s nose or you can choose the original rounded pacifier that has a shield that gently touches baby’s nose to help simulate breastfeeding and encourage baby to suck. They both have ventilation holes to allow air to pass through. You can also choose between a rounded nipple or an orthodontic nipple in both the rounded or butterfly-shaped pacifiers. The Natursutten pacifier comes in 3 different sizes so you can be sure your baby is getting the perfect fit.

  • small (0-6 months)
  • medium (6-12 months)
  • large (12+ months)

Frigg

Frigg pacifiers are a great non-toxic option for your baby’s pacifier. They make pacifiers that come in a wide variety of colors that are so pretty yet muted, which are very much aligned with their Danish roots. They have 3 different styles: daisy night, which is in the shape of a daisy and such a cute design, Moon Phases, which shows all the phases of the moon going around the shield of the nipple, and Rope, which is a nautical theme meant to symbolize the mother and baby “tied together” by the umbilical cord in an unbreakable bond. The daisy night comes with a special feature where the handle glows in the dark making it easy to find in the middle of the night.

You can purchase your Frigg pacifier in daisy nights or rope with your choice of a medical-grade silicone nipple or a pure rubber. The Moon Phases design is only available with natural rubber. The nipple comes in 2 sizes:

  • Size 1 (0-6 months) and
  • Size 2: (6-18 months)

There is one more thing I should mention about Frigg pacifiers. While I recommend only choosing pacifiers with a one-piece design, the Frigg pacifiers are a few different pieces. However, they have designed what they call the “click-lock system” where they connect the pieces in such a way that makes them highly durable and almost impossible to separate.

Nanobebe Flexy

The Nanobebe Flexi Silicone Pacifier is a one-piece pacifier made from flexible medical-grade silicone. They are shaped perfectly to comfortably frame your baby’s face which keeps it from falling out of your little one’s mouth. They have 2 airflow vents making them perfectly breathable and preventing any irritation to your baby’s delicate face.

I love the look of the clear silicone nipple with an outline of color around the outside of the shield. The color options are white, gray, teal, and pink. And the size options are 0-3 months and 3 months plus.

Nanobebe now also makes the Active Flexy pacifier for babies 4 months and older. It has two bigger open vents to allow even more airflow and to make the pacifier more lightweight for active babies on the move. It is also more soothing for a teething baby’s gums. The active flexy comes in a few different color options: white, pink, teal, grey, and black.

Hevea

I am such a huge fan of the hevea brand whether it be for toys, glass bottles or their natural rubber pacifiers-they are such a great non-toxic company. While they have a few different options for pacifiers, the classic pacifier is the only one that is made from one piece. Their rubber is so soft, yet strong and bite-resistant and of course like all rubber it is compostable.

The Hevea classic pacifier comes with 3 different nipple shapes that have their own unique design.

  1. The symmetrical nipple: which has little ducks for air vents
  2. The round nipple: has crowns for the air vents
  3. The orthopedic nipple: the air vents are stars and moons

This pacifier comes in 2 different sizes: 0-3 months or 3-36 months. Hevea also makes non-toxic pacifier clips and non-toxic pacifier holders, but more on those later.

Ecopiggy Ecopacifier

The Ecopiggy Ecopacifer is a natural rubber pacifier made in Malaysia. It is a one-piece pacifier that comes with your choice of a rounded nipple or an orthodontic nipple. These pacifiers are super eco-friendly and biodegradable and they even come with completely plastic-free packaging as well. The shield on the Ecopacifier is the perfect size to gently touch your baby’s nose to simulate the sensation of breastfeeding. It also has 2 big ventilation holes on the top and bottom of the shield. You can choose between 2 sizes: 0-6 months or 6+ months.

Dr. Brown’s HappyPaci

While I am normally not a huge fan of Dr. Brown’s products, Dr. Brown’s HappyPaci is actually quite nice and non-toxic. It is a one-piece soft silicone pacifier that is super affordable and comes in really pretty colors. The pacifier comes in a butterfly shape so it moves away from your little one’s cheeks and nose.

This pacifier comes in 0-6 months. They also have a version called the LI’LPACI™ pacifier that is the perfect size for preterm infants.

Itzy Ritzy

The pacifiers from Itzy Ritzy are absolutely adorable and have those little extra details that will make them a favorite for sure and will also make them perfect in pictures as well. Let’s start with the important stuff first. They have three different types of pacifiers: the sweetie soother, the sweetie soother orthodontic, and the Itzy soother. The Itzy soother is their natural rubber pacifier. And while everything about this one looks great and is super high quality, my one issue with it is that it is a 2 piece pacifier. I personally know so many Mommys and babies who love this pacifier, it is just important to be aware that there is a chance the 2 pieces could separate with a lot of use.

The Sweetie soothers are made from 100% food-grade silicone. They come in a 2-pack of complementing colors. There are so many adorable colors to choose from, that your baby is sure to be drawn to. The best part of these pacifiers is that the handle comes in three different designs as well. For little girls there are bows, and then there is a nautical option and an arrow. These little details are so cute and make these pacifiers so much fun. The Itzy Ritzy sweetie soother pacifiers are good for ages 0 months plus so you don’t need to size up when your baby gets older and they come with two large vent holes for added safety.

The Sweetie Soother Orthodontic is also one-piece and made from food-grade silicone. This orthodontic pacifier has an orthodontic nipple shape so it reduces pressure on the gumline of your baby’s mouth. This version comes in two different sizes: 0-6 months and 6-18 months, and it also comes in the same wide variety of cute colors and designs as the regular sweetie soothers as well as two large ventilation holes.

Ryan & Rose Cutie PAT

You may be wondering…What is a Cutie PATs? Well, it is a Pacifier And Teether. And it sure is cute. The Ryan & Rose Cutie PATs pacifier comes in about 50 gorgeous colors and is made from medical-grade silicone. It is the perfect one-piece design with a handle that doubles as a teether. And how is this for cool when it is being used as a teether the nipple pops into the pacifier. It also has a large round shield that is also perfect for chewing on, and that of course has 2 big air holes and a bite-resistant silicone nipple. What more could you want!

This pacifier comes in a few different variety nipple shapes.

  1. Round Stage 1: for babies without teeth
  2. Round Stage 2: is for babies with teeth
  3. Bulb: is for babies without teeth yet
  4. Slant: for babies without teeth
  5. Flat: can be used for both babies with or without teeth

The Ryan & Rose pacifier is designed in the USA but made in China. However, rest assured that it is completely safe, non-toxic, and free from BPA, phthalates, PVC, and latex.

Philips Avent Soothie

The Philips Avent Soothie may be the most well-known pacifier of all. The original green Soothie is the one that all the hospitals that I have ever worked at distribute to newborn babies in the nursery. It is made from soft medical-grade silicone and is, of course, a one-piece construction. It comes with an orthodontic nipple that collapses with use to support your baby’s oral development.

The Philips Avent Soother also comes in a really cute bear shape and a heart shape if you are looking for some fun variety but still want the same benefits. There is also a choice between the colors: blue and green or pink and purple. The sizes are 0-3 months and 3-18 months.

Nuk Comfy Orthodontic Pacifier

The Nuk comfy Orthodontic Pacifier is a really good non-toxic pacifier option. It is a one-piece medical-grade silicone pacifier that has a breast-like shape nipple to perfectly fit your baby’s developing palate. Its heart-like shape fits perfectly under the baby’s nose and around the mouth making it a really comfortable option.

It comes in a variety of colors like blue, green, pink, purple, and then a mixed variety that is a random selection of colors. The Nuk Comfy comes in 2 different size options: 0-6 months and 6-18 months.

Chicco Physioforma Orthodontic Pacifier

The Chicco Physioforma Pacifier is made from super soft silicone that is food-grade. The orthodontic design of the nipple encourages proper tongue placement to apply even pressure across your baby’s palate. This allows the mouth to form properly and encourages proper breathing by keeping an open airway.

The Chicco Physioforma Pacifier is designed and made in Itay and has the proper air ventilation holes for proper air circulation and to decrease saliva build-up. The pacifier comes with a reusable sterilizing carry case so your pacifier is easy to keep clean. You can choose between 3 different colors: pink, teal, and clear. It comes in 3 sizes: 0-6 months, 6-16 months, and 16-24 months.

Non-Toxic Pacifier Accessories

Choosing the best non-toxic pacifier is really important. But once you have found a pacifier that fits your needs and that your baby loves, you are going to want a non-toxic pacifier clip as well as a non-toxic pacifier holder to keep your baby’s pacifier clean and protected.

Non-Toxic Pacifier Clips

Pacifier clips are important to keep your baby’s pacifier close by and to keep it from falling onto the floor. You simply wrap one side on the pacifier and clip the other side onto your baby’s shirt. Here are some of my favorite non-toxic options.

  1. Hevea pacifier clip: Made from 9 natural rubber beads and FDA-approved pigments plus a wooden clip, that is completely nickel free.
  2. Mushie pacifier clip: Made from a combination of food-grade silicone beads and wood beads with a lead-free clasp and nylon string.
  3. Lou Lou Lollipop pacifier clips: So many different designs that are so adorable. These clips are a combination of non-toxic silicone and wood beads, with a lead-free and nickel-free, stainless steel clip.
  4. Ryan & Rose: Ryan & Rose has a huge variety of color combinations and wood/ food-grade silicone combinations. The clasp is lead-free and has a nylon string.
  5. Itzy Ritzy Pacifier Strap: Itzy Ritzy has food-grade silicone beaded straps and braided straps, as well as ones made from linen which are very nice and neutral looking.
  6. Indi by Kishu Baby: Not exactly a clip to clip onto your baby’s shirt but Kishu Baby makes a GOTS-certified organic cotton mini muslin blanket to attach to pacifiers, which is such a great idea and your baby is sure to love snuggling with it.

Non-Toxic Pacifier Holders

Storing your baby’s pacifier in a non-toxic pacifier case is important to keep the pacifier clean and safe. It is a really good idea to have a pacifier case if you are going to be going somewhere and want to be able to throw your baby’s pacifier into the diaper bag and want to keep the pacifier nipples free from dirt and dust. Here are some really great non-toxic options.

  1. Mushie Silicone Pacifier Holder: This pacifier case is made from food-grade silicone and can hold up to 2 pacifiers in it. It has a strap to easily attach it to your stroller or in your diaper bag. There is also a wide variety of colors to choose from.
  2. Hevea Pacifier Keeper: Hevea’s pacifier case can also hold up to 2 pacifiers and is made from natural rubber. There are four different color options: moss green, powder pink, sandy nude, and tan beige. And the heart cut out in the opening is absolutely darling.
  3. Natursutten Pacipouch: A drawstring pouch made from 100% organic cotton, with the sweetest smiley face embroidered on the front.
baby with a high quality non-toxic pacifier

Pacifier FAQs

Here are some commonly asked questions about pacifiers and pacifier use.

When should you introduce a pacifier to a breastfed baby?

The best time to introduce a pacifier to a breastfed baby is to wait until after breastfeeding has been well established. As a nursery nurse, I usually recommend mothers who are exclusively breastfeeding to wait until their baby is about 3-4 weeks old. This way there is a decreased chance of nipple confusion and you are producing enough milk. One other really important thing is when your baby is hungry and wants to nurse never offer a pacifier to your baby instead. This is a really good way to create nipple confusion in your little one as well as decrease your milk supply.

How many pacifiers should you buy?

You should buy at least 4 to 5 pacifiers in each size for your baby. Chances are you may need 2 or 3 throughout the day if your baby accidentally drops one on the floor or god forbid one goes missing. If you are out and about a lot with your baby having a couple of extra ones on hand is also very beneficial. Also, it is important to note that with regular use a pacifier will start to show signs of wear and tear. So be sure to check each pacifier before giving it to your baby.

It is also recommended to discard pacifiers every 3 to 4 weeks and replace them with brand new ones.

When should your baby stop using a pacifier?

There is definitely a lot of conflicting thoughts on this. By about 1 year of age is the best time to begin weaning your baby from their pacifier. As your child’s teeth come in you will want to limit use as much as possible to prevent any possible dental issues that may occur. By 3 years of age, hopefully, your child is no longer looking to use their pacifier anymore.

Choosing a non-toxic pacifier for your little one is a great way to keep your baby happy and fuss-free while allowing them to self-soothe. Whether you choose a rubber pacifier or a silicone pacifier is up to you and your sweet little baby.

Related Non-Toxic Baby Item Posts

The Ultimate Guide to the Best Non-Toxic Baby Bottles
The Best Baby Bouncers for Fussy Babies
Soft and Organic Baby Blankets to Cuddle Your Baby

The 10 Best Non-Toxic Pacifiers for Your Baby

References
1: https://publications.aap.org/pediatrics/article-abstract/116/5/e716/68083/Do-Pacifiers-Reduce-the-Risk-of-Sudden-Infant?redirectedFrom=fulltext
2: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2791559/

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