Choosing a dummy for a newborn comes down to a few things you can read on the listing: the age range on the pack, the shape of the teat, how much airflow the shield gives and how many come in the pack. This page compares seven dummies, also sold as soothers or pacifiers, from four brands: Tommee Tippee, NUK, Philips Avent and Suavinex. Six are sized 0 to 6 months and one is the next size up, 6 to 18 months.
Australia has a mandatory safety standard for babies' dummies and dummy chains, the Consumer Goods (Babies' Dummies and Dummy Chains) Safety Standard 2017. It covers things like a shield with two or more ventilation holes and a ring or handle that is secure and easy for an adult to grip, and the ACCC's Product Safety Australia website explains it. The facts below come from each listing and the ratings come from Amazon Australia, so treat them as listing facts and buyer ratings, not a safety certificate.
Best dummy for newborns: Tommee Tippee Ultra Light StayPut 0 to 6 Months
Best dummy for newborns: the Tommee Tippee Ultra Light StayPut 0 to 6 months 4 pack, because it is a one piece silicone dummy with a soft skin like finish and the highest rating of the well reviewed newborn dummies here.
The listing describes the lightest one piece silicone soother from the brand, 20% lighter than its Ultra Light Original, with a symmetrical teat and shield made to fit a baby's face any way up. It says an improved centre of gravity helps it stay put in the mouth for longer, and reduced skin contact improves air flow. The finish is described as a soft, skin like matte, and the vented teat is described as orthodontic. The listing also describes a glow in the dark design that charges in daylight, so it is easier to find in a dark room. It comes as a 4 pack and holds 4.8 stars from 1,161 ratings, pooled across colour packs.
It suits parents who want a newborn dummy and several spares for the nappy bag, the car and the cot. The honest catch: it is sold as a 4 pack, so it costs more up front than a 2 pack, and the rating count is pooled across colour packs.
Best orthodontic dummy for newborns: NUK First Choice 0 to 6 Months
Best orthodontic dummy for newborns: the NUK First Choice 0 to 6 months 2 pack, because the listing calls it an orthodontic design and it holds 4.7 stars at a low pack price.
The listing describes an orthodontic shape for babies from 0 to 6 months, with clever cut outs that increase airflow and a microwave safe travel case. It also says the dummies are made in Germany. This listing is the Penguin and Giraffe 2 pack. It holds 4.7 stars from 954 ratings, pooled across designs.
It suits parents who want an orthodontic design, a travel case in the box and the lowest priced pack of the seven. The honest catch: it is a 2 pack, so there are fewer spares than with the 4 packs, and the rating count is pooled across designs.
Best airflow dummy for newborns: Philips Avent Ultra Air 0 to 6 Months
Best airflow dummy for newborns: the Philips Avent Ultra Air 0 to 6 months 2 pack, because the listing describes extra large air holes, a lightweight shield and a symmetrically shaped teat.
The listing describes extra large air holes that let the skin breathe, a very light teat shield for maximum airflow and a symmetrically shaped teat. It comes in a transport container, and the listing says you can store and sterilise the dummies in the box. The listing also claims that on average 98% of babies accepted the Ultra Air dummy. This is the plain mixed 2 pack. It has the most ratings of any newborn dummy here, 2,373, at 4.4 stars, pooled across design packs.
It suits parents who want a lightweight shield with extra large air holes and a case to carry. The honest catch: it is rated 4.4 stars, lower than the top two, and it is a 2 pack.
Best dummy for breastfed newborns: Suavinex Zero Zero 0 to 6 Months
Best dummy for breastfed newborns: the Suavinex Zero Zero 0 to 6 months, because the listing words it as suitable for breastfed babies and newborns, with a symmetrical teat and 4.6 stars.
The listing describes a 0 to 6 month dummy for newborns with an SX Pro symmetrical teat and a ventilated design for less skin contact. It describes the silicone as 100% medical grade, hypoallergenic and dermatologically tested, and says it is suitable for sensitive skin. The listing says its texture, colour and shape respect the correct establishment of breastfeeding during the first months, and that the reduced size and weight help it adapt to the baby's face. It holds 4.6 stars from 1,482 ratings, pooled across colours.
It suits parents who are breastfeeding a newborn and want a dummy whose listing speaks to that directly. The honest catch: the listing says suitable for breastfed babies, but it does not promise any baby will take it, and it gives no pack size, so check the quantity before you order.
Best night glow dummy: Tommee Tippee NightGlow 0 to 6 Months
Best night glow dummy: the Tommee Tippee NightGlow 0 to 6 months 4 pack, because the listing describes a glow in the dark, orthodontic dummy with extra air holes and a symmetrical teat.
The listing says these night time dummies charge in daylight, then glow in the dark. It describes a smooth, curved shield with a symmetrical silicone teat, air holes on either side to improve air flow, and a vented orthodontic teat. The design is inspired by starry skies and comes in twilight tones. The listing also says the dummies are steriliser safe and BPA free. It comes as a 4 pack and holds 4.6 stars from 137 ratings, pooled across colour packs.
It suits parents who do night feeds and want a dummy that is easy to find without turning on a light. The honest catch: it has only 137 ratings so far, far fewer than the top picks, so the rating is a thinner guide.
Best dummy developed for premature babies: Philips Avent Soothie 0 to 6 Months
Best dummy developed for premature babies: the Philips Avent Soothie 0 to 6 months 2 pack, because it has about 1,600 buyer ratings at 4.4 stars and a simple single piece design.
The listing says the Soothie was developed for premature babies and is used by medical professionals. It describes a unique piece of silicone, shaped around the natural contours of a baby's face, with a curved, heart shaped shield that will not bump into a tiny nose. This listing is the pink 2 pack. It holds 4.4 stars from 1,634 ratings, pooled across colours.
It suits parents who want a single piece silicone design with no extras. The honest catch: it is a plain design, the listing describes no glow or extra airflow features, and it is rated 4.4 stars, lower than the top two.
Best dummy for 6 to 18 months: Tommee Tippee Ultra Light StayPut 6 to 18 Months
Best dummy for 6 to 18 months: the Tommee Tippee Ultra Light StayPut 6 to 18 months 4 pack, because it is the next size up from the top pick and holds 4.8 stars from 858 ratings.
The listing describes 100 percent food grade silicone that is anti static to repel dust and dirt, a soft, gentle, hypoallergenic feel and a soft, skin like matte finish. It is soother clip compatible, so it can be clipped on and stay within reach, and the vented teat is described as orthodontic. The pack of 4 comes in magenta, light plum, cream and dusty rose. It holds 4.8 stars from 858 ratings, pooled across colour packs.
It suits families whose baby has outgrown the 0 to 6 month size and likes the StayPut shape. The honest catch: it is not for newborns, because the listing size is 6 to 18 months, and the rating count is pooled across colour packs.
How to choose a baby dummy
Match the age range on the pack
Dummies are sold by age range, and the range printed on the pack is the one to follow. Six picks here are sized 0 to 6 months and the Tommee Tippee StayPut 6 to 18 months is the next size up. Buying the right size matters more than any feature, so check the age range on the listing before you add it to your cart.
What orthodontic and symmetrical mean on a listing
These are the words brands use for the teat. The NUK First Choice listing calls its shape orthodontic, the Tommee Tippee listings call the vented teat orthodontic, and the Avent Ultra Air and Suavinex listings describe a symmetrically shaped teat. The Tommee Tippee StayPut 0 to 6 months listing describes a symmetrical teat and shield made to fit a baby's face any way up. This page compares what listings say, not clinical results.
Dummies for breastfed newborns
The Suavinex Zero Zero is the pick whose listing speaks directly to breastfed newborns, and the NUK First Choice 2 pack is a sensible second to try. No listing promises a baby will take a dummy. Questions about when to start a dummy with a breastfed baby are best put to your midwife or child health nurse. If feeding is the bigger question, our baby bottle guide covers anti colic bottles.
Airflow and shield design
Five listings describe airflow features. The Avent Ultra Air describes extra large air holes and a lightweight shield, the NUK First Choice has cut outs that increase airflow, the Suavinex has a ventilated design for less skin contact, the StayPut 0 to 6 months describes reduced skin contact for air flow, and the NightGlow describes air holes on either side. The Soothie and the 6 to 18 month StayPut listings describe no airflow feature. The NUK and NightGlow listings also use the word gentle, and the Suavinex listing says it is suitable for sensitive skin.
Silicone and what the listing says
The Tommee Tippee StayPut is described as a one piece silicone dummy, the Soothie as a unique piece of silicone, the Suavinex as 100% medical grade silicone and the 6 to 18 month StayPut as 100 percent food grade silicone. The NightGlow listing also says BPA free. The Avent Ultra Air and NightGlow listings say you can sterilise them, and our bottle steriliser guide compares steriliser options.
Pack size, spares and night time
A dummy gets dropped, lost in the cot and left in the car, so a 4 pack such as the StayPut or NightGlow gives you spares, while a 2 pack such as the NUK First Choice or Avent costs less up front. The NUK pack comes with a travel case and the Avent Ultra Air with a transport container. If night time matters, the two glow in the dark picks charge in daylight.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best dummy for newborns in Australia?
The best dummy for newborns here is the Tommee Tippee Ultra Light StayPut 0 to 6 months 4 pack: a one piece silicone dummy with a symmetrical teat and shield, a soft skin like finish and 4.8 stars from 1,161 ratings. If you prefer a 2 pack, the NUK First Choice is the next choice.
What is the best dummy for a breastfed newborn?
The Suavinex Zero Zero is the pick for breastfed newborns: its listing says it is suitable for breastfed babies and newborns 0 to 6 months, with a symmetrical teat, and it holds 4.6 stars from 1,482 ratings. No listing promises a baby will take a dummy, so the NUK First Choice 2 pack is a second one to try.
What does orthodontic mean on a baby dummy?
Orthodontic is a label that listings use for the teat shape. The NUK First Choice listing calls its design orthodontic, the Tommee Tippee listings call the vented teat orthodontic, and the Philips Avent Ultra Air listing describes a symmetrically shaped teat. This page compares listing wording only, so check each pack for what the brand claims.
Which baby dummy glows in the dark?
Two picks glow in the dark: the Tommee Tippee NightGlow 0 to 6 months 4 pack and the Tommee Tippee Ultra Light StayPut 0 to 6 months 4 pack. Both listings say the glow charges in daylight, then glows in the dark. NightGlow has only 137 ratings so far, while the StayPut has 1,161.
What size dummy does a newborn need?
The newborn dummies on this page are sized 0 to 6 months, exactly as each listing gives it. The Tommee Tippee Ultra Light StayPut 6 to 18 months 4 pack is the next size up, and the listing size is not for newborns. Always match the age range printed on the pack you buy.
Is a dummy the same as a pacifier or a soother?
Yes. Dummy, pacifier and soother describe the same product. The Tommee Tippee StayPut and Philips Avent listings say soother, the NUK First Choice and Tommee Tippee NightGlow say dummy, and pacifier is the American word, so this page uses dummy throughout. Six picks are sized 0 to 6 months and one is 6 to 18 months.
Is there a Pigeon dummy on this list?
No. This page compares dummies from Tommee Tippee, NUK, Philips Avent and Suavinex, so there is no Pigeon pick. For a newborn dummy, start with the Tommee Tippee Ultra Light StayPut 0 to 6 months 4 pack, and add the NUK First Choice 2 pack if you want an orthodontic design to compare.
What is the cheapest newborn dummy here?
The NUK First Choice 0 to 6 months 2 pack is the lowest priced pack of the seven. Its listing describes an orthodontic design, cut outs that increase airflow and a microwave safe travel case, and it holds 4.7 stars from 954 ratings. Choose a 4 pack such as the Tommee Tippee StayPut if you want more spares.
Are baby dummies regulated in Australia?
Yes. Australia has a mandatory safety standard for babies' dummies and dummy chains, covering things like a shield with two or more ventilation holes and a ring or handle that is secure and easy for an adult to grip. The ACCC's Product Safety Australia website explains it. None of the listings here quote the standard, so read the pack.
