Dummies are a very useful and effective tool for settling babies, particularly in the early newborn days when the sucking reflex is strong and calms them down.
However, breastfeeding mums face a new challenge in finding dummies that are most like their breasts to prevent nipple confusion. This article is a recommendation of the most breastfeeding-friendly dummies, based on customer reviews as well as costs.
I also cover some of the most common questions regarding using dummies for breastfed babies.
Can baby sleep with a dummy?
Yes, it is safe for newborns to have a dummy at night, but only if you are following safe sleep baby guidelines. Additionally, ensure you are using the appropriately sized dummy for baby’s age for a better fit and to prevent choking.
Using the dummy is an effective way to settle newborns to sleep and extend their feeding period overnight, encouraging them to sleep longer without needing to feed.
However, it is advisable to introduce the dummy well after establishing breastfeeding (approximately 4-6 weeks postpartum) so that your milk supply does not get affected.
How to choose a dummy for baby
Most dummies these days are designed to feel as natural to a baby as possible to avoid nipple confusion. However, every baby is different and they have individual preferences. What works for one baby might not work for another, so choosing the best dummy for your breastfed baby requires some trial and error to find one that she will happily accept.
Some factors to consider when choosing a dummy for your newborn:
Material
Most dummies are made with BPA free plastic and silicone, but there are also dummies made from natural rubber.
100% food-grade silicone and rubber dummies tend to require replacing every three months, or when signs of wear and tear first appear. They are also more expensive than those with plastic parts.
Design
One-piece constructions are inline with the American Academy of Pediatrics guidelines for safe newborn products. Being made from a single piece of material, they don’t require any sealant or glue to hold pieces together.
They are also easier to clean and sterilise, and you don’t need to worry about grime or mould getting into joints.
Cost
If you’re only planning to use the dummy to settle baby to sleep, and only for the short term, cost may not be an issue as you will likely only need two – one for home, and one for when you’re out-and-about.
But if your baby is needing the dummy for playtime and extended periods of time well beyond the newborn phase, misplacing and losing dummies will become a common occurrence, requiring you to buy and replace them more frequently. Costs will quickly add up in this case.
Cost comparisons of popular newborn dummies
This is a quick cost comparison table of the most popular and well-received dummies by local Australian mums. Below the table, I go into more details on each of the product.
Prices checked on 8 May 2020.
| Brand | Materials | Price per piece (1) | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| [EDITOR’S CHOICE] Chicco Physio Comfort Soother 0-6M | Plastic & silicone | $6.48 | Baby Bunting – Buy Now |
| [HOSPITALS’ CHOICE] Jollypop Newborn Dummy | Silicone | $4.42 | Amazon AU – Buy Now |
| [VOTERS’ CHOICE] Philips Avent Bear Soothie 0-3M | Silicone | $5.98 | Pharmacy Online – Buy Now |
| MAM Dummy | Plastic & silicone | $5.50 | Amazon AU – Buy Now |
| NUK Genius Silicone Soother 0-2M | Natural rubber | $6.00 | Mighty Ape – Buy Now |
| Tommee Tippee Closer to Nature Newborn Soother 0-2M | Polypropylene & silicone | $4.98 | Pharmacy Online – Buy Now |
| Gumdrops Newborn Dummy | Silicone | $8.18 | Amazon AU – Buy Now |
Best dummies for a breastfed baby
1. Chicco Physio Comfort Soother 0-6M [Editor’s Choice]
- One-piece construction, 100% medical grade silicone
- 90% acceptance rate by babies
- Unique teat design exclusive to Chicco that supports baby’s natural physiological breathing
- Soft, thin base to allow baby’s mouth to close naturally and easily
- Air vents on the shield to reduce the collection of saliva
The Chicco Soother is a beautiful product to behold, its design is exclusively researched and developed by Chicco, but very similar to the highly popular Jollypop dummy.
Given that the Chicco Soother ($6.48 per piece) is suitable for 0-6m, and the Jollypop Newborn Dummy ($5.98) is for 0-3m, the Chicco Soother is a better value for money considering you can use it for longer.
So even though Jollypop claims to be the most widely used dummy in hospitals, I would give my vote to the Chicco Soother because design-wise they are almost identical, and they both have 100% 5-star ratings on ProductReview, but economically speaking Chicco Soother comes out as more affordable.
2. Jollypop Newborn Dummy [Hospitals’ Choice]
- One-piece construction
- USA made and designed
- Most widely used dummy in US and Australian hospitals
- Medical grade silicone
- Lightweight and flexible
- Two-tone colours
Designed and made by Sandbox Medical, Jollypop is a top-selling pacifier for hospital nurseries and NICUs around the world.
They have an impressive 5 stars rating on ProductReview and a 4.6 rating on Amazon AU. Many feedback compared it to the Avent Soothie (next on my list) and said it is their preferred choice.
Jollypop recommends replacing the dummy every three months to maintain hygiene and safety standards. They are available as a 6 piece value pack on Amazon AU, it ships directly from the US.
Even with international shipping, the cost per piece works out to be cheaper than buying it elsewhere.