Pacifier Safety: What Parents Need to Know From the Latest Consumer Reports Investigation
You hear me report on pacifier incidents. So now, we have another source looking into this mission to bring pacifier safety to the forefront!
Choosing the safest pacifier isn’t always easy- especially with so many brands and mixed messages online. A brand-new investigation from Consumer Reports (CR) puts 20 leading pacifiers to the test for hidden chemical and physical dangers, but even these tests don’t catch everything parents should know.
178 Pacifier Incidents - Why Reporting Matters
Between 2014 and 2024, there were 178 pacifier-related safety incidents reported to the government database SaferProducts.gov: 1 tragic death, 62 injuries, and 115 product complaints or near-misses. These included choking when parts broke off or the pacifier got stuck, cuts from finger entrapment in vent holes, and bite-through accidents.
What Consumer Reports Uncovered
CR’s expert lab put these pacifiers through intense testing. Here’s what they found:
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Chemical safety: Every pacifier they tested passed with flying colors- levels of lead, nitrosamines, bisphenol S, and phthalates were far below even the most stringent limits. No mention of BPA, just BPS.
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Durability: No parts broke or detached under stress, and most passed bite-resistance checks. They mention to stick to age limitations on a pacifier- they exist for a reason.
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Water retention warning: One hidden hazard I speak on frequently was mentioned: water trapped inside the nipple during cleaning or boiling. It’s supposed to be squeezed out, but in reality, water can linger, promoting mold or bacteria. Pacifiers with closed designs are most likely to trap water.
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Labeling failures: Some brands missed mandatory warnings or displayed them incorrectly. Bibs, Itzy Ritzy Soother, Shein, and Sweet Child had warnings written wrong. Ryan & Rose Cutie Pat Flat Pacifier was missing the CPSC-mandated “strangulation danger” language - but the company is now fixing this. I applaud that!
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Plush attachments and safe sleep: CR warned (and so have I): plush/pacifier combos—like WubbaNub—should never go in the crib. The American Academy of Pediatrics says no plush items in sleep areas. Real SaferProducts.gov reports link these to choking and suffocation risks, especially when used overnight.
Risks and Gaps the Test Didn’t Cover
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Finger entrapment: Several emergency room visits have been reported after babies’ fingers got stuck in pacifier vents, cutting off circulation. This is still a real-world risk not addressed in CR’s lab tests.
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Latex allergy: Natural rubber pacifiers come with a risk of allergic reactions. This risk was not addressed by CR, but is important for parents to know.
- Pacifier clips: It would have been nice to touch on pacifier clips as they have SO many incidents reported. Be aware that these cannot be used without supervision and during sleep time. We would like to see regulations around these, because of the continuous risk they pose.
What Parents Can Do
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Buy only from established brands/retailers and check that warning labels are clearly printed and correct.
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Avoid plush or stuffed pacifiers (WubbaNub) for sleep—use only standalone pacifiers in the crib.
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Inspect pacifiers regularly for cracks, tears, mold, or trapped water. Replace at the first sign of damage.
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Ask about material: stick to medical-grade silicone instead of natural rubber.
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Report any safety incidents to SaferProducts.gov—your reports ensure higher standards for every parent.