How Many Pacifiers Do I Need?

Have you been wondering how many pacifiers do I need for my baby?

In this guide, we breakdown how many pacifiers does a newborn need!

Some babies love to suckle between feedings.

So, to help alleviate some of that stress and offer a distraction, some parents choose to use a pacifier as a nipple substitute to help soothe their baby.

Yet, when buying a pacifier there are several different shapes and sizes available, so it can quickly become confusing just how many pacifiers do you need!

There are cylindrical shaped pacifiers, cherry shaped, butterfly shaped, orthodontic, and more!

That’s where knowing the different types of pacifiers there are available, pacifier sizing, and how many you need of each can be very beneficial.

So, let’s take a look at how many pacifiers does baby need!

And if you love this guide on how many pacifiers do I need for newborn, make sure to check out our guide on best preemie pacifiers, do pacifiers expire and pacifier alternatives!

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Are Pacifiers Really Necessary?

In short, no pacifiers are not necessary, but they can have several advantages.

Whilst not all baby’s will take a pacifier, for those babies that are happiest while sucking a pacifier can be a great tool to help your baby soothe when fussy.

They can offer a temporary distraction to situations that may otherwise be stressful.

They may help in helping your baby fall asleep, especially if they are having trouble settling.

They can be used to aid in weaning your baby.

They can be a great disposable alternative if your baby likes to suck on their thumb or fingers.

And the use of a pacifier is linked with reduced risk of SIDS.

But is also important to assess the negatives when determining if you want to use a pacifier with your baby.

For example, your baby may become dependent on their pacifier, forming a long-term habit that could be hard to break. And long-term pacifier use may lead to dental problems if you do not wean your child off their pacifier early enough.

So, whilst it may not be necessary to use a pacifier many parents still choose to use one. Which then leads to the question…

How Many Pacifiers Do You Need?

So, how many pacifiers do you need?

There are no set rules when it comes to how many pacifiers a newborn needs.

The number of pacifiers you need will depend on how long you plan to use your pacifiers, but as a rule thumb many parents find that they regularly use two to three pacifiers.

That give you one for your baby to use, one being cleaned, and one as a spare.

Then add one to two pacifiers for each area that you want to keep a spare i.e., your diaper bag, car, or daycare.

This will allow you to always have a pacifier on hand and ready to go.

Choosing The Right Pacifier For Your Baby

When it comes to choosing the right pacifier for your baby, there are a number of things that you need to consider.

Your baby will more than likely have their personal preference for a specific design and shape of a pacifier.

And it is very important to choose a pacifier that is appropriate for the age and stage of your baby and one that meets safety requirements.

So, let’s take a closer look at the different things to consider when choosing a pacifier!

Age and Stage

You’ll discover that most pacifiers are produced with a specific monthly age range for use. This is because your baby may not be able to suckle properly if a pacifier is too large and a pacifier that is too small for your baby can become a choking hazard.

Age ranges are set by manufacturers, so it is important to ensure you choose the correct size for each brand as they can vary greatly.

Shape

From cylindrical shaped pacifiers to cherry shaped to butterfly shaped to orthodontic pacifiers there is surprisingly quite a few options when it comes to the design and shape of a pacifier.

However, the main two types that you will come across regularly are the traditional pacifiers that are rounded at the end and the orthodontic pacifiers that are flat on the bottom and rounded at the top.

Many parents and babies prefer the orthodontic pacifiers as they are often easier for babies to suck on. However, it ultimately comes does to your baby’s preference to which one they will take.

Design

They are two main design types when it comes to pacifiers: all in one or 2 components.

The all-in-one pacifier is as it sounds. It’s made from a single piece of soft rubber or silicone, which makes it easier to clean and less likely to come apart and cause a choking hazard.

The 2-component pacifier is made of a two separate pieces: a hard plastic shield and a soft rubber nipple.  Whilst these are safe to use, over time they may break down making the product easily break apart and become a choking hazard.

Furthermore, pacifiers that are made of more than one part can easily get water inside during washing. This can lead to mold and bacterial growth.

Material

There are three common materials that pacifiers care made from. These include:

Silicone Pacifiers

Silicone is the most popular choice when it comes to pacifiers. While they are not quite as soft as latex pacifier, the are more durable and do not hold onto odors.

Latex Pacifiers

Latex use to be the material of choice for pacifiers due to its softness. This is a good choice if you baby does not like the firmness of a silicone or natural rubber pacifier. But you may find that a latex pacifier will wear more quickly and can retain odors. Also if you baby has a latex allergy this pacifier will not be suitable.

Natural Rubber Pacifiers

If you are looking for a more natural alternative for a pacifier, then you may want to look at a natural rubber pacifier. Whist silicone and latex pacifiers are BPA free they do contain other chemicals such as chemical softeners and artificial colorants. Natural rubber pacifiers are generally free from chemicals such as PVC, phthalates, parabens, chemical softeners and artificial colorants.

Common FAQs About How Many Pacifiers Do I Need

Final Thoughts on How Many Pacifiers Does a Newborn Need

Like most things with baby’s how many pacifiers you need will depend on your baby and your circumstances.

Ideally, we recommend having two to three pacifiers in each size, that way you are not going to get caught short when you need it most.

And if you’re looking for more great guides, then check out these guides on how many pacifiers do I need, best pacifier for breastfed babies, best pacifiers for tongue tied babies, and best pacifiers for newborns.