Pacifiers & Breastfeeding

Why I'm Not 100% Anti-Pacifier

Apr 08, 2025

If you’re breastfeeding and someone hasn’t told you to “just give them a pacifier,” have you even left the house yet? The advice is everywhere—well-meaning friends, family members, nurses, and strangers at Target will suggest a pacifier the moment your baby wants to nurse again. But here’s the thing: the way we talk about pacifiers often misses the bigger picture, especially when it comes to breastfeeding.

In this blog post, I’m going to walk you through the pros and cons of pacifier use while breastfeeding, what the research says, and the important context that usually gets left out of the conversation. Spoiler alert: it’s not as simple as “use one” or “don’t.” Like most things in parenting, the real answer is it depends—on your goals, your baby, and your unique circumstances.

Let’s talk about how pacifiers can support breastfeeding, how they can interfere, and how to make an informed decision that works for your family.

Risks and Benefits of Pacifier Use

Delaying pacifier use until breastfeeding is well established is a recommendation that is well known, but not very frequently followed by new parents. Pacifier use is super common and something us lactation consultants just have to accept is reality of modern parenting. But that doesn’t stop us from educating on the risks and benefits so parents can make informed decisions!

Pacifiers are great for:

Baby soothing
Decreasing the risk of SIDS when used when putting to sleep
Pain relief from minor procedures
Guess what else has these same benefits except MORE? Breastfeeding!

Pacifiers may increase the risks of:

Breastfeeding difficulties
Early discontinuation of breastfeeding
Ear infections if used after 6 months of age
Dental issues if used after 24 months of age

How To Use Pacifiers In A Way That Is Less Likely to Interfere with Breastfeeding

First and foremost, you are not required to use a pacifier. Many people will say that your baby is using you as a pacifier. Pacifiers are designed to soothe babies by satisfying their natural sucking instincts. But here's what most people don’t tell you:

Your breast is the original pacifier.

When people say, “They’re not hungry—they just want to use you as a pacifier,” what they’re actually describing is normal breastfeeding behavior. Comfort nursing is not a misuse of the breast—it’s a built-in function that should be utilized as long as it isn’t hurting you. Comforting at the breast is actually kind of a baby-sleep-superpower. Pacifiers can be used as a tool in some situations, but not every baby needs or wants one.

Here’s how to use pacifiers as a tool instead of a crutch:

Avoid Using a Pacifier to Delay Feedings: Nursing responsively as often as possible is extremely important for milk production and weight gain - especially in the first few weeks to few months. For optimal breastfeeding success, pacifiers may be used to buy you a few minutes to use the restroom or fill up your water bottle, but should not be used to delay a feeding for more than 5-10 minutes. If a baby would suck on a pacifier, they would also suckle at the breast and stimulate your milk production! Cluster feeding is a normal and necessary infant behavior.
Use Pacifiers in Specific Situations Instead of All the Time: Using a pacifier in the car on the way to an appointment, in the stroller, or in a restaurant is totally understandable and a good way to help you get around and out of the house with less worries about baby crying in public - even though babies crying in public is also very normal and expected.
Calming Fussy Babies Who Just Fed: If your baby is unsettled after feedings or experiencing reflux symptoms after feedings and you’re sure they are eating well and enough - if you’re not sure, reach out to an IBCLC Lactation Consultant for help - offering a pacifier after feeding can help to calm them and help them settle or even improve reflux symptoms, especially if you also hold them upright or baby wear them after nursing.
When Laying Babies Down to Sleep: Pacifiers can help soothe babies as they transition from your arms to a bassinette which might afford you a little bit of extra sleep as well. Using them this way has also been shown to reduce the risk of SIDS, especially if your baby is breastfeeding well.

What Kind of Pacifier is Recommended

There are a myriad of pacifiers on the market and they all claims to be good for breastfeeding, because that claim is not regulated in any way and they can. The truth is, they probably are not good for breastfeeding. If parents decide to use pacifiers knowing all the risks and benefits, we recommend a straight, symmetrical pacifier such as the Phillips Soothie pacifier, JollyPop pacifier, Dr. Brown’s HappyPaci pacifier, Nanobebe Flexy pacifier, or anything similarly shaped that allows the tongue to elevate, extend, and cup around it. We especially love the Ninni Co. pacifier - we feel it encourages the appropriate tongue movements for breastfeeding.

Any other shape of pacifier that claims it’s good for breastfeeding is simply a gimmick. We recommend avoiding flat or lipstick shaped orthodontic pacifiers like the MAM or Nuk pacifiers, pacifiers with a big bulb at the end like the Bibs or Itsy Ritzy Soother, or hour-glass shaped pacifiers like ThePacii. In fact, if your baby can only take one of these pacifiers, it’s possibly a red flag that they have poor oral function for breastfeeding.

If you decide to use pacifiers, it is best to introduce the pacifier after breastfeeding is consistently going well. This could be 3-4 days, 2 weeks, or even 4 weeks for some! Remember: Your baby’s need for the breast is not just about calories. It’s about connection, regulation, and development. And no one ever said your arms or your chest had to be “earned.” You’re allowed to be the comfort.