Best Pacifiers For Tongue Tied Babies

Are you trying to the best pacifiers for tongue ties babies?

Then let us help you decide which is best for you and your baby with our guide to the best pacifier for tongue tied baby!

Tongue-tied babies can face difficulties when it comes to feeding, sucking, and learning to make certain speech sounds in later life.

This is why it is often corrected when they are newborns, as it encourages typical development that is not delayed in any way.

However, it is more common that most tongue ties are harmless, and that they will not impact a baby’s development.

Most babies are absolutely fine with a tongue tie, and are likely to follow the predicted time frame for milestones.

However, tongue-tied babies usually have less movement with their tongue.

This can impact the way that they hold things in their mouths such as pacifiers, and what type of shape is more comfortable to them.

So, we have compiled a list of the best pacifiers for tongue tie., looking at their features, pros, and cons so you can easily find a pacifier that your tongue tie baby will love.

And if you love this best pacifier for breastfeeding babies guide, make sure to check out our guides on best preemie pacifiers, how many pacifiers do I need and do pacifiers expire.

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What Does It Mean When A Baby Is Tongue Tied?

Also known as ankyloglossia, tongue tie is the term used to describe a baby who has been born with an extra piece of skin connecting the bottom of their tongue to their mouths.

The band of tissue is usually pretty thick, and it can limit the tongue’s movement in a baby’s mouth.

Being born with a tongue tie does not always mean that you are underdeveloped, as it does not always cause issues with babies.

Because of this, it is likely that you will come across some tongue-tied adults during your life who cannot protrude their tongue very far.

Tongue ties are typically removed or corrected if they are struggling to feed through sucking.

When a baby is tongue-tied, it can also affect their ability to breastfeed.

This is because it is more challenging for them to move their tongue freely and adjust the shape of their mouths for a bottle or nipple.

This can lead to additional challenges when it comes to keeping them nourished, feeding, and encouraging normal development.

In turn, this can impact their speech development in the future if it is not corrected.

Certain speech sounds within their native language can be more challenging when the tongue cannot move as freely.

It is much more difficult for tongue-tied individuals to stick their tongues out of their mouths, because the extra tissue restricts this.

List of 5 Best Pacifiers For Tongue Tied Babies

Best Pacifier for Tongue Tied Baby

1. MAM Original Start Newborn Baby Pacifier

The MAM original start newborn baby pacifiers are great for tongue-tied babies.

The BPA-free silicone nipple is a signature MAM pacifier design, with silky SkinSoft material and a symmetrical shape that’s ideal for jaw and teeth development.

The soft nipple shape which is flat and symmetrical, offers an ideal option for babies who have limited movement in their mouths.

This product is made out of soft silicone which is easy to sterilize and for babies to hold in their mouths comfortably.

Pros

• Flat and symmetrical shape which is ideal for restricted movement
• BPA-free
• These come in a self-sterilizing container which can be placed in the microwave for easy and safe use.
• Made out of glow-in-the-dark material, which makes the pacifiers much easier to find in the dark.

Cons

• This can be a little challenging if your baby has already gotten used to a slightly different shaped pacifier in the meantime. 

2. NUK Orthodontic Pacifiers

Next is a product that has been highly praised for the scooped bottom shape, which is ideal for tongue-tied babies.

They can move their tongues a little more and get used to different mouth shapes, which is great for encouraging typical development.

This product can be cleaned in the dishwasher or microwave, and comes in a range of colors, patterns, and different quantity packs.

Pros

• These are suitable for 0-6 month olds, so they will not have to get used to another shape of pacifier.
• 100% medical-grade silicone
• Storage case is available for hygienic purposes.
• Breast-like nipple shape naturally fits baby’s palate
• This product is recommended by health experts and orthodontists, because it is ideal for tongue ties, lip ties, and promoting teeth, jaw, and tongue to develop.

Cons

• Hard to attach pacifier clips to it

3. Tommee Tippee Closer To Nature Pacifier

This brand is highly credited for encouraging typical development, and many parents recommend the pacifiers that Tommee Tippee offer.

The nipple shape is similar to most baby bottles, so it will prevent confusion and encourage them to sooth themselves when needed.

The reversible nipple is ideal for tongue-tied babies because it allows them to adjust to a new shape if they are less familiar with it gradually.

Pros

• Features a symmetrical silicone nipple and with no ‘wrong’ side up, so it will always be placed correctly in baby’s mouth
• 100% medical-grade, BPA-free 
• The glow-in-the-dark material makes it easier to find the pacifiers in a dark room without waking your baby.
• The symmetrical nipple shape has been recommended by orthodontists because it encourages your baby’s natural oral development.
• There are large holes in the front of the pacifier which prevent skin irritation and promote air flow.

Cons

• Limited designs and color choice

4. Chicco PhysioForma Pacifier

Another product which has been recommended for babies with tongue-ties is the Chicco PhysioForma Pacifier.

The shape has been developed specifically to evenly distribute your baby’s tongue pressure along the palate.

It encourages correct tongue placement, which is ideal for tongue-tied babies whose parents are concerned about their speech development and ability to eat correctly in later stages of life.

Pros

• The narrow base of the pacifier allows lip closure, which means that your baby will have a better chance of supporting teeth and palate development.
• Ventilation holes prevent saliva to become trapped, which leads to the development of harmful bacteria or even mold if left for too long without cleaning.
• The holes also promote breathing, too.
• Pacifier sizes and shapes suitable for three age ranges are available, in three color choices.

Cons

• Some babies with more sensitive mouths, or those with more severe structural differences affecting their tongue placement and palate shape, may find this type of pacifier uncomfortable.
• It is important to find something that works for you and your baby, which soothes them rather than causes discomfort.

5. Nanobebe Baby Pacifiers

The final pacifier comes from Nanobebe, who have developed a shape that works with the contours of your baby’s face.

Nanobebe have been awarded for their pacifiers, which are recommended for newborns or babies who are trying to transition from breastfeeding.

The shape of the pacifiers and the soft, silicone material encourages an easy transition with fewer complications for you and your baby.

Pros

• The shape has been developed to prevent gagging, and avoid confusion when transitioning from breastfeeding.
• These are some of the most affordable pacifiers on the market that can easily be purchased in bulk.
• Available in a range of colors, age groups, and pack sizes.

Cons

• Babies who are already used to a certain shape of pacifier have been known to reject these because of the different shape.
• It is generally recommended that you stick to the type that you started them with when they were newborns.

Buyer’s Guide on tongue tie pacifiers

When buying a pacifier for your baby, you want something that will help your baby develop good habits while they are still young.

If you buy a pacifier that isn’t right for your baby, then you may end up having issues later down the line. You should look at the following factors before choosing a pacifier:

Size

You need to make sure that the size of the pacifier fits well in your baby’s mouth.

Some babies have larger mouths than others, so you need to check if the size of the pacifiers is suitable.

The size of the pacifier is important because it can affect how the baby suckles on the pacifier.

A pacifier that is too small, will often fall out of the baby’s mouth. On the other hand, if the pacifier is too big, the baby might gag on it.

This could lead to problems such as getting a sore mouth.

Shape

Pacifiers come in different shapes. These include round, oval, and teardrop shapes.

The key to getting a pacifier for a tongue tied baby is having the nipple of the pacifier that is as close as possible to a real nipple.

Not only should you consider the shape of the nipple, but you should also think about the shape of the shield.

Some pacifiers will have holes in the shields to help with the airflow.

This is important for babies with sensitive skin as the build-up of moisture between the shield and their mouth can cause rashes.

Material

Some pacifiers are made from plastic or rubber. Others are made from silicone. Choose a material that is safe for your baby.

You will also need to consider whether your baby has any latex allergies. Some pacifiers are made with latex, which can cause an allergic reaction.

You also want to make sure that the material you are choosing for your baby will not cause them any harm.

Ensuring that all the materials used to make the pacifier are free from any harsh chemicals is always a good place to start when choosing the correct pacifier.

Longevity Of The Pacifier

When choosing a pacifier, you need to consider how long you plan on using the pacifier. You don’t want to spend money on a pacifier that won’t last.

A lot of first-stage pacifiers can be used until the age of six months. However, there are some that can only be used up until the baby is three months old.

This is completely dependent on what you expect out of the pacifier, but it is something to keep in mind when purchasing one.

FAQs on Pacifiers for Tongue Tied Babies

Can A Pacifier Help After Removing My Baby’s Tongue Tie?

Your pediatrician will recommend that you avoid using pacifiers immediately after getting your baby’s tongue tie removed.

This is because they can encourage a biting motion rather than the sucking movement of the lips, which is trying to be promoted during the early stages of life.

This is what allows them to feed effectively, and get their mouth used to certain speech sounds.

Try to avoid using a pacifier for at least 24 hours after your baby has had their tongue tie removed so that they can get used to soothing themselves and moving their tongue around their mouths.

It will feel a little strange for them at first, which could be why they appear to be distressed.

Final Thoughts on Best Pacifier for Tongue Tie

In this article, we explored the different options of pacifiers for tongue tied babies as well as establishing in detail the major things that should be considered in our helpful buyer’s guide.

We hope this guide has been helpful in deciding what the best pacifiers for tongue tied babies is for you and your baby.

And if you’re looking for more great guides, make sure to check out these guides on best bottles for tongue tie, best pacifiers for newborns, and pacifier alternatives.