The Best Baby Soother

Updated on 19 April 2023

After 10 hours of research, an exhaustive comparison of 35 soothers and our tests of 11 of them, we have concluded that the anatomical Dodie offers the best value for money at the moment.

This comparison is certified 100% impartial and follows our selection process.

Our choice, Best mid-range

Dodie anatomical (2 pcs.)

In addition to being cute and affordable, it fits a baby’s mouth well, prevents chafing and withstands early teething thanks to its light, practical and airy design.

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Dodie sucette anatomique

This anatomically shaped soother has a symmetrical silicone nipple that fits snugly in the mouth and satisfies the need for suction. The lightweight Tritan neck ensures a good fit in the mouth. Thanks to the eight ventilation holes, it not only drains saliva well but also prevents suction and possible marks or irritation on the face. During testing, our young tester held it well in his mouth and we noted its good resistance to teeth, stretching and twisting. It is also BPA and BPS-free, which is healthier for babies and comes with a handy ring. Overall, we thought it was really cute, but it’s a shame that a sterilisation box isn’t included – by the way! Note that it comes in four different sizes and there is also a night collection that is visible in the dark.

 

 

Best budget

Philips Avent Ultra Air (2 pcs.)

Very popular on the market, this dummy is very resistant to the first teeth. It is also ventilated and comes with a sterilisation box and ring.

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Philips Avent Ultra Air

Approved by 98% of babies, this anatomical soother (available in 2 sizes and several colours) adapts in both directions. It, therefore, has minimal impact on the jaw, palate and teeth. According to our observations, it does not get too close to the nose (at least for a 13-month-old baby, as some users find it bulky). Although it is made of textured silicone, it is flexible, but not as flexible as some of the other soothers we have tested. Despite this, it is quiet to bite and proved to be quite resistant to teething, stretching and twisting. It has four large ventilation holes, and we didn’t notice any suction effect, irritation or marks on the face, which proves that it is suitable for sensitive skin. The storage and sterilisation box is very practical, as is the ring. However, it is not phosphorescent.

 

Best high-end

Chicco PhysioForma Light (2 pcs.)

This light and compact model, developed by medical professionals, offers good support in the mouth, excellent ventilation and, above all, allows the child’s oral development.

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Chicco PhysioForma Light

The result of a collaboration between orthodontists, paediatricians and the Chicco Research Centre, this beautiful physiological soother encourages breathing and helps the correct development of the mouth and positioning of the tongue. Very light, it held perfectly in the mouth of our apprentice tester. It didn’t get too close to his nose and didn’t take up too much space on his face. In addition, the silicone teat with Soft Sense finish is quiet when chewing, and we didn’t notice any teething, stretching or twisting damage. The ventilation holes are large, allowing saliva to drain quickly, and there is no sucking effect, irritation or marks on the face. This makes it suitable for babies with sensitive skin. In addition, it comes with a storage box that can also be used to sterilise soothers. Its biggest weaknesses? It doesn’t glow in the dark and has no ring.

 

Budget alternative

Mama Bear Soother

Available in a range of sizes and colours, the Mama Bear Soother has a physiological shape that adapts to babies’ sucking needs. It is not reversible but limits the risk of tooth misalignment. The orthodontic mouthpiece, made of silicone and free of BPA, is strong, and we found the soother to be very light during testing. However, the polypropylene structure seems a little less firm. The large holes prevent suction, marks on the face and saliva accumulation around the mouth. It also has a ring to attach a clip for hanging. Finally, we appreciate the nice design and the practical… but fragile sterilisation box.

 

Mid-range alternative

NUK Space (2 pcs.)

Its soft teat and advanced aeration system make it especially suitable for babies with sensitive skin. And its 3D design is a real winner.

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NUK Space

Available in several random sizes and designs, this cute physiological soother features an asymmetrical teat that meets the baby’s sucking needs while limiting the risk of tooth misalignment. During our tests, we noticed that it did not come too close to our tester’s nose. Made from BPA-free silicone, it is incredibly soft in the mouth (more so than others) and makes no noise when chewing. It is also resistant to stretching, twisting and teething (although after a few weeks, you can see the first bite marks). With its NUK Air System ventilation, it is, without doubt, the most ventilated we have tested. This means that saliva is evacuated quickly, and the skin can breathe better, which is ideal for children with sensitive skin. It also prevents the suction effect and possible marks on the face. Finally, it is sold in its storage and sterilisation box, but it is not visible in the dark and has no ring (although its large holes allow it to be hung or clipped).

 

High-end alternative

MAM Perfect Nuit (2 pcs.)

Its high resistance to teeth and six large ventilation holes make it a durable and comfortable model. It also has a nice glow-in-the-dark look.

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MAM Perfect Nuit

Designed in collaboration with dentists, this symmetrical model (approved by 94% of little testers) comes in four sizes and offers good positioning in the mouth. Made from ultra-soft silicone (patented by MAM) and with a BPA- and BPS-free SkinSoft texture, it mimics a mother’s skin, but the teat didn’t feel as soft as the others. When our apprentice tester chewed on it, there was no unpleasant noise, and the thin, soft teat proved to be quite resistant to his little teeth, but also to twisting and stretching. In addition, this soother has a total of 6 large ventilation holes, which allows the skin to breathe well and all the saliva to flow out. During our tests, we didn’t notice any suction effect or any marks or irritation on the face. We also love the design, and the glow-in-the-dark button makes it easy to find at night. Finally, the brand provides a storage and sterilisation box, but it lacks a ring.

 

Our selection

Our choice, Best mid-rangeBest budgetBest high-endBudget alternativeMid-range alternativeHigh-end alternative
Dodie anatomical (2 pcs.) Philips Avent Ultra Air (2 pcs.) Chicco PhysioForma Light (2 pcs.) Mama Bear Soother (4 pcs.) NUK Space (2 pcs.) MAM Perfect Nuit (2 pcs.)
In addition to being cute and affordable, it fits a baby's mouth well, prevents chafing and withstands early teething thanks to its light, practical and airy design. Very popular on the market, this dummy is very resistant to the first teeth. It is also ventilated and comes with a sterilisation box and ring. This light and compact model, developed by medical professionals, offers good support in the mouth, excellent ventilation and, above all, allows the child's oral development. In view of its attractive price, practical sterilisation box and pleasant, lightweight design, this model is an excellent alternative. Its soft teat and advanced aeration system make it especially suitable for babies with sensitive skin. And its 3D design is a real winner. Its high resistance to teeth and six large ventilation holes make it a durable and comfortable model. It also has a nice glow-in-the-dark look.
See the price on Amazon £ 6.15 on Amazon £ 15.98 on Amazon £ 12.99 on Amazon See the price on Amazon

 

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How did we do the tests?

To test these soothers, we had the help of a little 13-month-old tester. First of all, we checked that they fit well in the mouth, then we took a look at the collar to see if it was the right size (if it reached close to the nose or not, or if the soother was solid) and if it was well-ventilated thanks to its holes (saliva evacuation, suction cup effect, marks on the face, etc.).

We then focused on the resistance of the soother. To do this, we chewed each one for a long time to test its resistance to the teeth (we also stretched and twisted it in all directions). We also put it in the mouth to judge its softness and flexibility. Finally, we analysed the accessories (ring, box for storage or sterilisation) and the design (glow-in-the-dark or not, drawings).

 

NameHoldingStrengthAerationStorage / sterilisation boxRingVisibility in the dark
Mama Bear Soother5/55/55/5YesYesNo
Dodie anatomical5/55/55/5NoYesNo
Tommee Tippee Fun5/55/55/5NoYesYes (ring only)
Philips Avent Ultra Soft4/55/54/5YesYesNo
Philips Avent Ultra Air4/55/54/5YesYesNo
NUK Space4/54/55/5YesNoNo
MAM Perfect Nuit5/54/55/5YesNoYes
BIBS Colour5/53/54/5NoYesNo
Chicco PhysioForma Light5/55/55/5YesNoYes

 

How to choose a baby soother?

Although it is not unanimously accepted, the soother has a certain soothing power. Sucking” is a physiological need of the baby, which brings pleasure and relaxation, and may even have an anti-pain effect. Therefore, although it is not essential, it is a great help for many parents.

Sucettes bébé

When making your choice, the first thing to remember is that the ideal soother is precisely the one your baby chooses to adopt. So you will probably have to try several before you find the one that suits your little one best. However, we’ve put together some useful facts to help you make an informed choice.

  • The shape: there are three types of soother. The so-called physiological soother has an asymmetrical shape, with one side curved (at the top, against the palate) and the other flat (at the bottom, against the tongue). It is supposed to limit the risk of malposition of the teeth. The anatomical one is reversible, as it is curved on both sides, which would limit the impact on the jaw. Finally, the round-tipped soother is the most recommended for breastfeeding babies, as it resembles the mother’s nipple more closely.

Sucettes bébé

  • The size: it must correspond to the age of the baby. Generally, brands classify them as 0-2 months; 0-6 months; over 6 months; and over 18 months. The latter is reinforced to support your baby’s growing teeth.

Sucettes bébé

  • The material: Baby soothers can be made from rubber or silicone. The former is more flexible, but the latter is more durable. The latter is also guaranteed to be free of BPA (bisphenol A), a known endocrine disruptor. In both cases, it is advisable to replace the soother at least every two months or as soon as the slightest deterioration is noticed.

Sucettes bébé

  • The details that make a difference: most soothers have ventilation holes to avoid the “suction cup” effect and thus avoid marks on the face. Also, if the one you choose has a ring, it will be easier to hang it on a dummy clip or duvet. Finally, some soothers glow in the dark, making them easier to find at night.

Sucettes bébé

 

Other dummies we recommend

Tommee Tippee Night Fun Time (£9.37 / 6 pcs. upon publication): another economical choice. Approved by 97.5% of babies and mums who tried it, this anatomically shaped soother is slightly narrower than others tested, but our little learner found it easy to hold in his mouth either way. Made from BPA and phthalate-free medical grade silicone, it’s soft, flexible and resistant to first teeth. The curved neck has large holes to allow air to circulate and prevent saliva build-up. This means it will not create a suction effect or cause stains or irritation on sensitive skin. Plus, the glow-in-the-dark ring is handy for finding the dummy at night, and it’s machine-washable. On the downside, we found it a little bulky for the little ones and there is no sterilisation box included.

BIBS Colour (£8.95 / 2 pcs. upon publication): an alternative for breastfeeding babies. It has a rounded tip that resembles a mother’s nipple, so it fits snugly in the baby’s mouth. Although it comes in 3 sizes and several colours, we found the round neck a little too high for the nose. However, it has three ventilation holes, is non-sucking and does not leave marks on the face. The ring is also handy for attaching it to a duvet or clip. Made from natural rubber latex and free from BPA, PVC and phthalates, it is resistant to teeth and twisting, but does make a little noise when chewed. It also does not glow in the dark and comes without a storage/sterilisation box.

Philips Avent Ultra Soft (£14.50 / 2 pcs. upon publication): ideal for sensitive skin. This soother was liked by 98% of babies tested. It is an anatomical model that adapts to the morphology of the baby’s mouth, ensuring the natural development of teeth and palate. Its neck is not too close to the nose and adapts to the shape of the cheeks, all without causing sucking, marks or irritation. The six ventilation holes ensure good air circulation despite the occasional drop of saliva. BPA-free, it is healthy for your teeth and does not make unpleasant chewing sounds. It comes with a box for storage and sterilisation and a ring for attachment. Weak points? It is slightly less soft than other soothers tested and is not visible in the dark.

 

Other dummies tested

Mam Original Night (£10.69 / 2 pcs. upon publication): anatomical, strong, easy to hold in the mouth, visible in the dark… It has many good points, but it is too close to the baby’s nose and makes an unpleasant noise when chewed. It also lacks a ring.

Simia Natural (£14.00 / 2 pcs. upon publication): this 100% natural soother is durable and easy to clean. However, the shield is quite bulky, makes a noise when your child chews on it and has a strong rubbery smell when unpacked. It also does not absorb saliva well.

 

 

Translated by Ramsés El Hajje

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