TLDR: Wondering what the best pacifier is? Use the 4 S’s of Pacifiers—Substance, Structure, Shape, and Sanitation—to make a confident, best choice for your baby. This simple guide breaks it all down.

There’s no shortage of pacifiers. Just a shortage of clarity.

As a mom, safety advocate, and the founder of a PFAS tested pacifier brand, I’ve helped thousands of families navigate the pacifier aisle with more confidence. And I finally gave the decision-making process a name:

The 4 S’s of Pacifiers.

Think of it like the 4 C’s of diamonds. But instead of cut and clarity, we’re focused on what actually goes in your baby’s mouth.

So, What Are the 4 S’s of Pacifiers?

Whether you're picking out your first pacifier or replacing one your baby keeps rejecting, this framework is your cheat sheet.

 

1. Substance

What is it made of

The material your baby’s pacifier is made from is the most important place to start. There are two primary types of pacifier nipples:

Silicone

This is the most common—and for good reason. It’s non-toxic, hypoallergenic, and durable.

There are two grades used in baby products:

• Food Grade Silicone: Safe for contact with food and generally considered non-toxic.

• Medical Grade Silicone: Held to even stricter purity standards. This is the safest and most reliable material for baby mouth use, especially when combined with regular safety testing.

Medical grade silicone is smooth, non-porous, and can withstand high heat. That means you can boil it, steam it, and run it through the dishwasher with no worries..

Natural Rubber (aka Latex)

This material is often marketed as “natural,” but it comes with serious drawbacks:

• Allergy risk: Latex is a known allergen. Repeated exposure can increase sensitivity.

• Porous surface: Unlike silicone, latex is a more porousmaterial, which can promote more yeast and bacterial growth.

• Limited cleaning options: Latex pacifiers break down easier and quicker, so they tend to have less cleaning options.

• Breakdown over time: UV light, heat, and even your baby’s saliva can cause latex to swell, deform, or become sticky.

• Shorter lifespan: Latex pacifiers break down significantly faster than silicone and must be replaced more often.

While “natural rubber” may sound appealing, most pediatric dentists and allergists recommend silicone due to its durability, hygiene, and reduced allergy risk.

Smart choice: Soothe Beginnings pacifiers are made from food grade silicone and Richlite, tested for PFAS in every production batch, and contain zero plastic or latex.

2. Structure

How is it designed

The best pacifier has to be more than soft and cute. It needs to be built for safety and function.

Ask yourself:

• Open backs are notorious for finger entrapment

• Closed designs can allow moisture to get trapped inside, which leads to mold na bacteria growth
  

• Are there clips, cords, or stuffed animals attached. Any attachments make it unsafe for sleep. 

These design details can make or break the pacifier’s safety. Poor structure increases the risk of choking, mold, and long term damage to the mouth.

Smart choice: Soothe Beginnings is a workaround from the open back issues AND the closed design issues. 

3. Shape

Will your baby take it—and will it support oral development

Babies have preferences and we want to support correct muscle and motor skill use.

The most common nipple shapes are:

• Rounded bulb/Cherry: Can put pressure on the palate, and too narrow of a base. 

• Orthodontic: Stays in with minimal effort, often preferred vy babies with oral motor challenges. Does not work the mouth/muscles in the best way, and will not save their teeth like weaning will. 

• Standard/Round: Promotes natural tongue cupping and encourages more coordination. 

• Nursing: Mimics the breast and promotes a proper latch, requiring active sucking effort to help baby build strength. 

A one shape fits all approach doesn’t work. 

Smart choice: The Soothe Beginnings Starter Kit includes three nipple shapes, so your baby gets to choose what feels best.

4. Sanitation

Is it easy to clean and replace

Sanitation is one of the most overlooked parts of pacifier safety. Daily cleaning and regular replacement are essential.

• Can it be cleaned in a way that is convenient to your life?
  

• How often does it need replacing? All pacifiers need replacing. 

A pacifier that’s difficult to clean or easy to forget to replace can expose your baby to bacteria and breakdown risks.

Smart choice: Our pacifiers are easy to clean, and we offer a nipple replacement subscription so parents never forget.

Bonus S: Sustainability

Because we care about what gets left behind

Most pacifiers are made of plastic and designed to be thrown away. That’s wasteful for the planet and expensive for families.

Smart choice: Our reusable Richlite shield is durable, beautiful, and keepsake quality. You only replace the nipple, not the entire pacifier.

Share This With a Parent Who Needs It

Choosing a pacifier doesn’t have to feel like guesswork. Use the 4 S’s—Substance, Structure, Shape, and Sanitation—to find a safer option that actually works.

Because safety should be the convenient choice.

Check out the Soothe Beginnings Pacifier and get the best of it all.