Which NUK pacifier is the best?
Binky. Dummy. Soother. No matter what you call your baby’s pacifier, you, like most parents, will likely consider it a vital part of parenting in your early days of child-rearing. Pacifiers were designed to help calm a fussy baby by fulfilling their sucking reflex. Pacifiers on the market today come in a variety of sizes, colors and designs.
Finding the right pacifier can be a hit-or-miss task, but it might help to start with a well-known brand. NUK debuted its first pacifier in the 1950s and has been a prominent name in baby care ever since. NUK makes both latex pacifiers and silicone pacifiers in several styles, so you can find the right fit for your child.
What to know before you buy a NUK pacifier
Size
When considering which pacifier to purchase for your baby, you need to consider their age. Pacifiers are generally made and sold for certain age groups of children. A pacifier that is too large or small for your baby won’t be comfortable in their mouth. NUK pacifiers are sold in four sizes; The smallest size is made for newborns to 2-month-old babies. From there, pacifiers are available in 0-6 months, 6-18 months and 18-36 months. Plan to purchase the size that corresponds with your baby’s age.
Material
NUK pacifiers have nipples that are made with two common pacifier materials: latex and silicone. Each material has its benefits, and which one you choose is largely just a matter of personal preference. Parents who choose latex usually do so because it is environmentally friendly and extremely resilient. Those who choose silicone typically prefer that material because it is odorless and easy to clean.
Shield style
NUK pacifiers come with a variety of shield styles. The shield is the part of the pacifier that covers your baby’s mouth or the part that is visible when your child is sucking on their pacifier. NUK shields come in multiple styles and sizes. Some shields have large cutouts to allow for maximum airflow in an attempt to keep skin irritation to a minimum. Some shields have rings for attaching pacifier clips.
NUK pacifier features
Orthodontic nipples
All nipples on NUK pacifiers are orthodontically correct. NUK pacifiers are soft and adapt to your child’s mouth. They also support healthy jaw development.
Airflow holes
The shields on NUK pacifiers all come with holes in them. These holes are intentionally placed to help reduce the chance of your child’s skin becoming irritated with pacifier use. Skin irritation and skin rash can happen when moisture becomes trapped between your child’s pacifier and their skin. Large airflow holes allow the skin and prevent excess moisture from building up, which in turn minimizes irritation.
NUK pacifier cost
NUK pacifiers are readily available in the United States. They are typically sold in multipacks and cost between $4 and $11.
NUK pacifier FAQ
How often should I replace my child’s NUK pacifier?
A. Your child’s pacifier should be replaced every one to two months for hygienic reasons. Pacifiers made from natural latex will typically need to be replaced more frequently than silicone pacifiers. However, if a pacifier, regardless of material, has any rips or tears it should be replaced immediately.
How can I clean my baby’s NUK pacifier?
A. You can clean it by placing it in the top rack of your dishwasher and running it through a normal cleaning cycle. You can also disinfect it in a bottle sterilizer or pacifier sterilizer (for more information, see the pacifier sterilizer buying guide on BestReviews). It is also possible to clean your child’s NUK pacifier by disinfecting it in a pot of boiling water for five minutes and then laying it out to dry.
Which NUK pacifier should I get?
Best of the best NUK pacifier
NUK Comfy Orthodontic Pacifiers: available at Amazon and Buy Buy Baby
Our take: This pacifier is meant to mold to your child’s skin for maximum comfort.
What we like: This BPA-free pacifier is modeled after a nipple, so your baby should take to it easily. The asymmetrical nipple is meant to naturally conform to your baby’s palate.
What we dislike: Some parents complain that these pacifiers are magnets for unwanted allergens, such as dust and dog hair.
Best bang for your buck NUK pacifier
NUK Space Orthodontic Pacifier: available at Amazon and Buy Buy Baby
Our take: Extra-large openings on this pacifier’s shield allow maximum airflow, so your child’s skin can breathe as they use their pacifier.
What we like: This pacifier’s heart-shaped shield is designed to rest comfortably underneath your child’s nose. The orthodontic nipples support healthy jaw development.
What we dislike: A few parents state that the sizing on these pacifiers is inconsistent, and it is hard to find ones that fit their children properly.
Honorable mention NUK pacifier
NUK Orthodontic Pacifiers: available at Amazon and Buy Buy Baby
Our take: Inexpensive and available in multiple cute designs, these pacifiers will be easy to replace if your child loses one.
What we like: The large ring on the front of these pacifiers is easy to attach to a pacifier clip that will enable you to tether it to your child’s shirt or stroller. The ring is also easy for small hands to grip and hold.
What we dislike: Some users state that spit becomes easily trapped in the nipples of these pacifiers, and it is hard to remove.
Stephanie Jarrett is a writer for BestReviews. BestReviews is a product review company with a singular mission: to help simplify your purchasing decisions and save you time and money.
BestReviews spends thousands of hours researching, analyzing and testing products to recommend the best picks for most consumers. BestReviews and its newspaper partners may earn a commission if you purchase a product through one of our links.
Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
