What’s the difference between natural latex and silicone pacifiers?

Want to give your baby a pacifier but worried about harmful plastics? Not sure whether latex or silicone is better for your baby? 

With benefits to both, there isn’t a right or wrong answer – it’s all down to preference.  

Use our helpful guide on latex vs. silicone pacis to decide which material feels right for your family. 

Why material matters in a baby pacifier

Pacifiers are designed to mimic a mother’s nipple and satisfy a baby's natural sucking instincts when they're not feeding. A natural reflex, this can be very soothing and comforting. 

Choosing the right pacifier material for your baby means that they will be able to get all the benefits a paci can offer. 

Whether it’s helping them fall asleep, calm down, or self-soothe, the comfort provided by a paci can help put baby more at ease and feel less overstimulated. 

Alongside paci acceptance, the material chosen also changes how sustainable and durable the pacifier is, its ease of use, and, most importantly, its safety. 

While pacifiers can be a helpful tool for soothing babies, it's important to use them in moderation as there are various pros and cons to consider. 

Latex is made from the sticky milky fluid tapped from the Hevea tree.   

A natural material, the fluid is then refined to become the variating brown/yellow rubber used in natural latex rubber pacifiers.  

Benefits of latex pacis 

Latex is a super soft, elastic, and resilient material that can change shape and size depending on how strongly baby is sucking, resembling a mother’s soft nipple.  

This familiarity might be beneficial for breastfed babies, however there are other factors to consider regarding introducing a pacifier if you’re breastfeeding. You can read our guide here. 

Latex pacifiers are durable and can withstand considerable force.   

Since latex is obtained from rubber (which can be harvested from a tree without much damage) and is biodegradable, it is a more renewable and sustainable choice.  

Things to be aware of  

Latex pacifiers... 

• are safe for many babies, however some may have a latex allergy, meaning they aren’t safe for all 
• may have a slight rubber taste that babies don’t like 
• can age from natural influences such as saliva, heat, UV and air 
• can expand due to baby’s strong sucking reflex, making it harder to use and potential issues when replacing due to reliance on a larger shape 

Silicone pacifiers use synthetically produced silicone manufactured to meet high standards and regulations. 

Silicone is free of harmful plastic ingredients. This means that it is 100% BPA (Bisphenol A) free. 

All Tommee Tippee products are BPA-free so you don’t have to worry for a second about the safety of using a silicone pacifier. 

Benefits of silicone pacifiers

Silicone is odorless, taste-neutral, and allergy-friendly so it is more likely to be suitable for more babies. 

Silicone pacis are extremely durable and strong which is perfect against tiny teeth.  

As silicone can withstand high temperatures, these pacifiers are also easy to clean. They can be boiled and sterilized using a sterilizer machine or microwave. 

All two-pack Tommee Tippee pacifiers come packaged in a reusable case for simple microwave sterilizing, or you can sterilize them alongside other equipment in a Tommee Tippee sterilizer which uses UV light or 100% natural steam to kill viruses* and 99.9% of bacteria.   

*Tested against Coronavirus (tested to EN 16777) and Influenza H1N1. 

Things to consider  

Silicone pacifiers... 

• are still soft but are firmer in texture than latex – which helps maintain their shape, but some babies don’t find them as comfortable 
• are not biodegradable and generally non-recyclable 

Side-by-side: Natural latex vs silicone 

*The teat is made with 95% natural latex and 5% stabilising materials for performance. 

Which pacifier material is right for your baby? 

Choosing pacis based on age and stage 

Babies go through many developmental stages and milestones, meaning the suitability of different pacifiers can vary over time. 

Babies can use pacifiers from any age, however if you are breastfeeding, the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends introducing them after breastfeeding is well-established. 

Tommee Tippee’s pacifiers are available in three age ranges: 0-6 months, 6-18 months and 18-36 months. 

Newborn pacis

As newborns have tiny mouths, a smaller paci is often required. This includes both the nipple size and the shield size.  

Tommee Tippee’s Newborn Pacifiers have an extra-small nipple, are lightweight and breathable, and have a curved shield for a comfortable fit between the nose and chin. 

Six months+ pacis 

Most babies begin teething by the six-month mark, and they'll start sucking and chewing on anything and everything. A pacifier can be helpful for this and both latex and silicone are soft enough against their gums, but strong enough to withstand tiny teeth. 

To find the right pacifier for your baby, try offering different shapes and materials and observe their reactions. 

You’ll know whether your baby likes it through signs of comfort, such as content sucking and calmness. Discomfort will be evident if your baby spits out their paci or turns their head away. 

Remember, there are many other factors that go into pacifier preference. This includes the shape of the nipple and the stage of development.  

Follow your baby’s lead 

Every baby is different, so there isn’t a right or wrong choice when it comes to pacifier materials.  

Even when you think you’ve made your choice, remember that it doesn’t need to be the final decision and you can always change. 

Whichever material you choose, you can rest assured that Tommee Tippee’s pacifiers meet all required standards to keep your baby safe and healthy. 

Sources

• Risks and Benefits of Pacifiers | AAFP 
• A Comprehensive Review of Evidence and Current Recommendations Related to Pacifier Usage - Journal of Pediatric Nursing: Nursing Care of Children and Families 
• Buying and caring for baby bottles and nipples: MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia  
• Latex Allergy Information