Mannequins are a very useful and effective tool to settle babies, especially in the first days of the newborn, when the sucking reflex is strong and calms them.

However, breastfeeding moms face a new challenge: finding mannequins that most closely resemble their breasts to avoid nipple confusion. This article is a recommendation of the most breastfeeding-friendly mannequins, based on customer feedback as well as costs.

I also cover some of the most common questions regarding using mannequins for breastfeeding babies.

 

Cost Comparison of Popular Newborn Mannequins

Here’s a quick comparison chart of the costs of the most popular and most popular mannequins that are most popular with moms. Below the table, I give more details on each of the products.

 

Soothing Chicco Physio 0-6M

• One-piece construction, 100% medical grade silicone
• 90% baby acceptance rate
• Chicco’s unique teat design supports the 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 saliva collection

The Chicco lollipop is a beautiful product to see. Its design is exclusively researched and developed by Chicco but is similar to the trendy Jollypop mannequin.

Since the Chicco pacifier ($6.48 per piece) is for 0-6 m, and the Jollypop Newborn dummy ($5.98) is for 0-3 m, the Chicco pacifier is a better value for money since you can use it longer.

So, even though Jollypop claims to be the most used dummy in hospitals, I would vote for the Chicco pacifier because, from a design point of view, they are almost identical, and they both have 100% 5-star ratings. Still, from an economic point of view, the Chicco pacifier is more affordable.

 

Jollypop Newborn Dummy

• One-piece construction
• Made and designed in the USA
• The most widely used dummy in American hospitals.
• Medical grade silicone
• Light and flexible
• Bicolor colors

Designed and manufactured by Sandbox Medical, Jollypop is a popular pacifier in hospital nurseries and neonatal intensive care units worldwide.

It received an impressive 5-star rating on ProductReview and 4.6 on Amazon AU. Many comments compare it to the Avent Pacifier (the next one on my list) and say it is their favorite choice.

Jollypop recommends replacing the dummy every three months to maintain health and safety standards. They are available in 6-pack on Amazon AU. They are shipped directly from the USA.

Even with international shipping, the cost per piece turns out to be cheaper than if you bought it elsewhere.

 

Philips Avent Bear Soothie 0-3M

• One-piece medical-grade silicone
• Orthodontic design is excellent for the natural development of teeth and gums.
• A flexible and comfortable shield against the baby’s face
• BPA-Free

While researching this article, I investigated Blissful Maternity Instagram, asking my 1.8k disciples to recommend the best models for breastfeeding newborns. Advent Soothie was by far the most popular response.

Online reviews and customer comments may be rare for this mannequin, but I strongly believe in personal recommendations. So, given its affordable price and the fact that it is the most voted soother by real moms, I am confident enough to place it at the top of the list.

 

MAM Mannequin

• Night-time lollipops – buttons glow in the dark.
• Orthodontic teat for the development of baby’s jaw and teeth.
• Extra thin and flexible nipple neck
• Easy-to-grasp button

The MAM mannequin is also a brand with a perfect 5-star rating on ProductReview. It is a European brand that is not readily available in the market but has received excellent feedback from those who have managed to get it.

 

Round natural rubber pacifier 0-3M

• Delivered in a transparent and reusable storage box
• One-piece design
• No parabens, PVC, phthalates
• A larger shield touches the baby’s nose, which helps simulate breastfeeding more faithfully.
• Made with 100% durable natural rubber from the Hevea brasiliensis tree.
• Easy sterilization
• Manufactured to European and American standards

Natural rubber soother comes in two nipple shapes: the round soother is recommended for breastfed babies because it mimics the shape of the nipples and avoids nipple confusion, while the orthodontically shaped soother is for babies who are already familiar and accustomed to this type of shape.

This dummy would be my first choice for parents who want an affordable eco-friendly option, unlike the natural rubber soother, which is more popular because it is cheaper but made from the same hevea plant.

 

NUK Genius Silicone Soother 0-2M

• The optimized orthodontic design developed with dental experts
• Soft, flexible bag to reduce pressure on baby’s mouth and jaws
• The shape of the nipple imitates the mother’s nipple.
• Air vents on the bag

Nuk has a wide range of soothers, but the NUK Genius Soother is different because it was developed by an orthodontic practitioner and has an improved shape that is more comfortable for the baby’s jaw.

The Genius Soother is also available with a latex nipple instead of silicone. Latex is softer and more flexible than silicone, which is why some babies prefer it (see more differences between latex and silicone).

 

Tommee Tippee Closer to Nature Newborn Pacifier 0-2M

• Specially designed for the small mouths of newborns
• The newborn acceptance rate is 25% higher than Tommee Tippee’s previous design

As the cheapest brand on the list, Tommee Tippee is a well-known brand in the US, readily available in major supermarkets and pharmacies across the country. If you’re starting to try different teats with baby, this is an excellent place to start, given its low cost.

That said, although there are some success stories with it, the Tommee Tippee range of pacifiers has a relatively low popularity rating compared to the other brands on this list.

 

Gumdrop Newborn Dummy

• The most widely distributed dummy in hospitals worldwide
• Developed by the American company The First Years
• One-piece design in latex-free silicone

The US-based Gumdrop newborn mannequin is one of the most popular mannequins in the world. Amazon is the only place where you can get it with home delivery.

Is it a coincidence that it is so similar to the Jollypop Dummy in its design? Both are produced in the United States and are very popular in hospitals locally and internationally. Am I suggesting a monopoly on the market? Probably, but I have no proof, only observation and speculation.

I am trying to say that sometimes it is worth asking whether a model is just the result of hype and good marketing or whether it is worth spending large sums of money.

 

 

Buyer’s Guide

Can a baby sleep with a pacifier?

There is no danger of newborns having a pacifier at night, but only if you follow the safety rules for sleeping babies. Also, make sure you use the correct size pacifier for your baby’s age to make it fit better and prevent him from choking.

A pacifier is an effective way to put newborns to sleep and extend their feeding period during the night, encouraging them to sleep longer without needing to feed.

However, it is advisable to introduce the teat well after establishing breastfeeding (about 4-6 weeks after delivery) so that milk production is not affected.

How to choose a baby pacifier

Today, most mannequins are designed to be as natural as possible for the baby to avoid nipple confusion. However, every baby is different and has individual preferences. What works for one baby may not work for another, so choosing the best nipple for your breastfeeding baby takes some trial and error to find one that she will accept.

Here are some factors to consider when choosing a pacifier for your newborn:

Material

Most mannequins are made of BPA-free plastic and silicone, but there are also mannequins made of natural rubber.

Mannequins made of 100% food-grade silicone and rubber must be replaced every three months or when signs of wear first appear. In addition, they are more expensive compared to those with plastic parts.

Design

One-piece constructions comply with the American Academy of Pediatrics guidelines for safe newborn products. Because they are made from a single piece of material, they do not require sealant or glue to hold the pieces together.

They are also easier to clean and sterilize, and you don’t have to worry about dirt or mold getting into the joints.

Cost

If you plan to use the pacifier just to put the baby to sleep and only for a short time, the cost won’t be an issue because you’ll probably only need two – one for at home and one for when you’re out about.

But if your baby needs the pacifier for play and long periods well beyond the neonatal phase, it’s common for you to lose and misplace pacifiers, so you’ll need to buy and replace them more frequently. In this case, costs can add up quickly.