Baby Dummies & Soothers

Soothe and settle your little one with our range of trusted dummies and pacifiers

Using a dummy or pacifier

Parents give their baby a dummy -- also known as a pacifier -- because a dummy can help a baby sleep as well as soothe and settle. But when it comes to deciding on a baby dummy for your little one, the choices can seem endless. The first thing to always consider is child safety. Always choose a dummy that complies with Australian safety standards. Check the product and packaging for Australian Standard AS 2432:2015. Next on the list is to work out the best baby dummy for your child that will help soothe and settle. The best baby dummy for your child is the one that works! What this means is that for many parents, finding the right baby dummy involves a lot of trial and error.

Baby dummies and feeding soothers which comply with Australian Standards

To keep your child safe at all times, it is important to only buy child products that meet the necessary Australian child safety requirements. All Metro Baby’s products comply with Australian Standards -- dummies and pacifiers included. Some safety considerations to look out for when buying a baby dummy includes an easy grip handle, a firm plastic shield with air vent holes, and easy to clean material to hygienically sterilise or wash in the dishwasher. Whatever trusted brand of baby dummy you choose, don’t ever tie a dummy to your baby’s clothing with ribbon or string as this may get tangled around your baby. Only use a safety approved baby dummy accessory and never leave your dummy attached to your child unattended or while sleeping. Also, don’t dip a dummy in honey or any foods.

What you need to know when introducing a dummy

Once you’ve checked that the baby dummy you’re considering is safe for your bub to use, there are other things parents consider when using dummies to soothe and settle bub. If you’re breastfeeding, many mums introduce new bub to a dummy after a few weeks of breastfeeding, once bub is feeding comfortably and breastfeeding habits are established. For parents that are bottle feeding exclusively, you can introduce a dummy from birth. For bottle-fed bubs, many parents choose the same brand dummy as the bottle because the teats are often the same. Once in use, check dummies regularly and if worn or damaged, discard immediately to avoid any hygiene or choking risk. And always keep a spare dummy (or two!) in your bag or nearby because dummies have a habit of dropping and going missing.

Features to look out for

With so many baby dummies out there, features to look out for in selecting the right one for your little one includes:

• Safety: Only buy baby dummies that comply with Australian child safety standards. Check packaging and the product for the Australian Standard AS 2432:2015 descriptor. An unsafe dummy can be a choking hazard, cause strangulation or cause an infection.
• Ventilation: Ventilation holes in the shield allow air to pass through if the shield covers bub's nose. The ventilation holes also provide air flow if the whole pacifier gets into your baby’s mouth. Child safety standards require the ventilation holes to be a specific size.
• Strong construction: A high quality dummy that is well constructed will ensure the parts do not come apart. This avoids small pieces becoming a choking hazard.
• Ring: The ring serves as a handle for bub to grasp and hold, and also for a parent to be able to grip the dummy to remove it if need be.
• Teat: Choose between an orthodontic teat and a cherry teat. An orthodontic teat is shaped in a way that encourages bub to suck in the same way as breastfeeding. A cherry teat is the more traditional rounded teat dummy.
• Material: Dummies can be made from 100% food grade silicone or natural rubber latex. These materials are easy to clean and sterilise so can remain hygienic for bub. The shield and handle of the dummy can be made from either polypropylene (PP) plastic, natural rubber, or silicone. Some dummies are made in one-piece, moulded seamlessly from only one material.
• Size: Dummies come in different sizes, with age as a guide. The Bibs' dummy size ranges from newborn to 6 months of age, and 6 to 18 months. Hevea's orthodontic dummies are for 0-3 months, all the way through to 36 months of age.
• Trusted brand: Buying a trusted brand means you’ll have the peace-of-mind that all the necessary child safety requirements are met. All Metro Baby’s product ranges meet Australian and New Zealand child safety standards.

When can you use feeding soothers?

For older bubs starting solids (around 4 to 6 months of age), fresh food feeding soothers also help soothe little ones. A feeding soother is designed to hold solids in its silicone pouch so your little one can enjoy the taste of whole fresh food. Besides the important milestone of eating solid foods, a feeding soother can also help soothe aching gums. Browse our trusted range of fresh food feeding soothers and teethers, which are BPA free and dishwasher safe, from Oxo Tot and Haakaa.

Best options for those breastfeeding mums

Sucking is a natural reflex for newborn babies, for both feeding and soothing. For breastfeeding mums, baby can often have nipple confusion in switching between dummy and breast. This is why if you’re a breastfeeding mum, finding a dummy similar to the texture of your nipple can help bub. Experts recommend waiting until your baby is about 6 weeks in age before introducing a dummy so bub is established in breastfeeding.

Best options for teething babies and toddlers

Teething babies and toddlers love to put things in their mouth. And because they often have aching gums, safe food-grade teethers and fresh food feeders are a popular choice to keep little hands and mouths busy while soothing aching gums. And if you’re a breastfeeding mum, a teething baby can add another layer to the experience by biting down on a tender nipple or wanting to nurse more for comfort. This is how teething toys help. Given to bub before or after feeding, a teether can help to relieve your little one’s sore gums while developing baby teeth. A fresh food feeding teether not only soothes aching gums but its innovative design also introduces the taste and texture of solids to your baby.

Different styles and colours available of our baby dummies

There are various things to consider in buying a dummy. And for many parents, the first design isn’t always the final one. Our range of quality brands and trusted dummies gives you a choice of options. Below are just a few of our popular designs.

Bib’s range of classic round design dummies are available in more than 50 colours and sold individually or as a 2-pack. Made from soft and flexible 100% natural rubber latex, there’s also a glow-in-dark option for easy night time search and seek sleepy-time missions!

Hevea’s orthodontic range of pacifiers is a world-first being completely plastic free and also colourful! Made from 100% natural rubber using plant-based natural colour pigments, this silky smooth pacifier loves soothing baby and loves our planet.

Other great pacifier products include Tommee Tippee’s Anti-Colic Newborn Feeding Value Pack with 5x anti-colic bottles with slow-flow teats, 2x soothers, 2x soother holders and a bottle brush. There’s also the super-cute Wubbanub Pacifier which doubles up as a soft cuddly companion toy on the one end and medical grade latex-free pacifier on the other. Cleverly designed to be easy to keep in position for bub makes losing a dummy less easy.

Accessories you can also consider

Besides dummies and pacifiers, other accessories parents (and gift givers!) consider for various stages of bub’s dummy and early development include:

• Pacifier case: Because a dummy can get dirty easily and quickly, and can get misplaced, a pacifier case helps you know where bub’s dummy is – unless it’s in their mouth. Mushie’s range of gorgeous colour pacifier cases fit any dummy and has space for three! Made from food-grade silicone, these nifty cases are easy to hang from pram bar or nappy bag and also easy to clean, being dishwasher safe.
• Dummy chain: Dummy clips, chains and straps are used to keep a dummy in hand's reach of bub to easily grasp and use. Although trusted brands are safe to use when bub is awake and under a parent's supervision, do not use dummy chains, clips or straps when bub is asleep in a cot, bassinet or a bed, or if baby is unattended.
• Teethers: Teething toys are designed to help give relief for bub’s aching gums as new teeth emerge, and also help develop baby’s fine motor skills. Browse our range which includes 100% food-grade silicone teethers from Haakaa and Matchstick Monkey as well as 100% natural rubber teethers from Oli and Carol.
• Fresh Food Teething Feeders: Fresh food feeding teethers let’s independent bub enjoy solid fresh food independently and safely. Not only does bub get to enjoy fresh food solids but the teething feeder also helps to soothe aching gums. B.Box’s feeding teether is made from 100% food grad silicone and is suitable for children as young as 4 months. Haakaa’s feeder teether is also a popular choice for many parents.
• Silicone toothbrush: To get bub used to good dental habits early and to help ease aching gums, many parents start bub with a silicone toothbrush from a very young age. Designs include finger silicone toothbrushes from Mushie, Haakaa’s 360 silicone toothbrush as well as oral care sets from Matchstick Monkey and Haakaa.

Washing and maintaining you baby dummy or feeding soother

Dummies get dropped a lot and land on floors, in playgrounds, under restaurant tables and in the bushes! So if you’re lucky enough to find your baby's dummy, you need to thoroughly wash and sterilise it before using again. Besides any mishaps, to keep germs at bay, all dummies need to be washed every day because they are used regularly. To keep your baby dummies hygienically clean, you can use a bottle steriliser, microwave steriliser, or boil in boiling water. Silicone and plastic dummies are also dishwasher safe. Check your dummy regularly for any cracks or broken parts. If you notice any damage, discard immediately. For older babies, tots and toddlers, quality feeding soothers are also easy to clean. Usually made from a soft silicone pouch and plastic handle, it’s easy to pop in the dishwasher or wash with warm soapy water to keep hygienically clean. Read your product's cleaning instructions so they look like new for longer and last as long as possible.

Brands we know and trust

Metro Baby is Australia’s trusted online one-stop baby shop offering an extensive range of deluxe and specialty baby products from the most trusted local and international brands. This includes quality dummies and other same age related items. Whatever you choose, we are careful in selecting the best quality baby products to cater for bub’s many and changing needs, from breastfeeding to weaning to scooters and trampolines. Trusted brands include Hevea, Mushie, Medela, Haakaa, Philips Avent, Baby Bjorn, Aden+Anais, B.Box, and many more. Our exceptional customer service includes easy checkout, Price Promise, and gift cards to fulfil a parent's wishlist. We also deliver to most postcodes across Australia, with delivery free on standard orders over $99.

Buying your baby dummy online with Metro Baby

Besides our trusted range of baby dummies, we also offer a wide selection of products for other stages of bub’s development. From breastfeeding and beyond, all our products adhere to Australian and New Zealand safety standards. Some of our bestsellers include breastpumps, baby cots, bassinets, mobiles, change tables, prams, sleeping bags, slings, swaddles, prams, strollers, car seats, change mats, travel bags, nightlights and baby clothing.

FAQs

What age can a baby have a dummy?

Dummies are available in different sizes, suited from newborn age up to 6 months and older. Although, for breastfed newborn babies, it’s best to wait until bub is about 6 weeks old so breastfeeding is established before introducing a dummy.

Which dummy is best for a newborn?

For newborn babies, choose a dummy that is the right size and specifies its suitability to newborn age. Breastfeeding mums of newborns should wait until breastfeeding is established before introducing a dummy. Browse our many trusted brands of baby dummies and other related products.

What are the benefits of a dummy?

Sucking is a natural instinct for a newborn baby. Once breastfeeding is established in the first few weeks, dummies are used by many parents to help soothe bub as well as settle for sleep. Dummies can also substitute thumb-sucking. Many studies also suggest breastfeeding and dummies help reduce SIDS (Sudden Infant Death Syndrome), with ongoing research needed in this area.