The PhysioForma™ pacifier by Chicco is supposed to be an improved type of pacifier, but aren’t all pacifiers basically the same?
My team of sleep consultants and I were sent samples of the PhysioForma Pacifier to see what we thought from a sleep perspective.
Could this new type of pacifier actually help your baby sleep? Aren’t pacifiers sleep associations that need to be broken?
Not necessarily. Let’s take a look at what I found in my research about the PhysioForma pacifier.
Can babies breathe with a pacifier?
Some people believe that babies are obligatory nasal breathers (meaning they HAVE to breathe through their nose), but according to at least one study, that is not true. But, since babies mostly breathe through their nose, if your baby uses a pacifier, she will be able to breathe.
Chicco took this one step further, though.
The PhysioForma pacifier actively supports your baby’s physiological breathing with its unique and exclusive nipple design. The nipple shape and the ridges on the nipple both help position your baby’s tongue forward to maintain an open airway. And, the ventilation holes for air circulation help prevent the gathering of saliva, too.
In addition, this pacifier supports the development of the palate and teeth with its narrow base that allows for optimal lip closure. And, the lateral curve of the nipple evenly distributes the tongue’s pressure against the palate.
It’s no wonder that the PhysioForma™ pacifier was clinically developed, tested, and approved in partnership with an advisory panel of leading neonatologists, pediatricians, and orthodontists. A pacifier that helps your baby with physiological breathing is sure to help new parents sleep better at night.
But, before we decide to run out and buy all the PhysioForma pacifiers you can, let’s find out more.
Will the PhysioForma pacifier help prevent SIDS?
Yes, it has been said that pacifiers, in general, help reduce the risk of SIDS (Sudden Infant Death Syndrome). According to American Family Physician, “The benefits of pacifier use include analgesic effects, shorter hospital stays for preterm infants, and a reduction in the risk of sudden infant death syndrome.”
And, the PhysioForma is praiseworthy in this regard. While nothing can prevent SIDS altogether, using a PhysioForma pacifier can reduce the risk.
Will all babies like the PhysioForma?
Well, no. I’m sorry to say that there’s no product loved by all babies. But, so far, Chicco’s PhysioForma pacifier is baby-approved with 9 out of 10 babies accepting it. This matches the high Amazon ratings.
In addition, there are 3 different sizes of this pacifier, so if your baby is getting bigger and one size doesn’t work, you may want to try a different size. The age recommendations are just those. Every baby will have a different size mouth and preference for how the pacifier sits in his mouth.
And, this obviously isn’t a large test, but I had one of our sleep consultants who just had a baby 7 weeks ago give it a try. Here’s what she said in her own words:
“The PhysioForma pacifier is good quality and seem to be durable. Cute colors and designs! They are lightweight which will likely help the pacifier stay in baby’s mouth. The pacifier ‘nipple’ is a unique design and (depending on what some babies prefer) might just be the trick to tongue placement and comfort during sucking. Some babies do much better with this shape than the more rounded smooth shapes. We really like the ‘pocket buddies’ for the pacifiers. It’s such a cute design and very soft. I really like that pacifiers can be removed for cleaning of both the lovey and the pacifier. It’s such a good idea to have a pocket for extra pacifiers as well. We use it with my 7-week-old, and it seems that just having the soft support of the lovey helps the pacifier to stay in her mouth during sleep. We are big users of pacifier clips and really like the design of the Chicco one. It’s easy to get the pacifiers on and off and does the trick!”
-Jessa
“The PhysioForma pacifier is good quality and seem to be durable. Cute colors and designs! They are lightweight which will likely help the pacifier stay in baby’s mouth. The pacifier ‘nipple’ is a unique design and (depending on what some babies prefer) might just be the trick to tongue placement and comfort during sucking. Some babies do much better with this shape than the more rounded smooth shapes. We really like the ‘pocket buddies’ for the pacifiers. It’s such a cute design and very soft. I really like that pacifiers can be removed for cleaning of both the lovey and the pacifier. It’s such a good idea to have a pocket for extra pacifiers as well. We use it with my 7-week-old, and it seems that just having the soft support of the lovey helps the pacifier to stay in her mouth during sleep. We are big users of pacifier clips and really like the design of the Chicco one. It’s easy to get the pacifiers on and off and does the trick!”But, will breastfeeding babies like the PhysioForma?
Obviously, we can’t say that all breastfed babies will like the PhysioForma pacifier. Some babies only like the real thing no matter how many pacifiers or bottles you try. Am I right? 😉 According to at least one Amazon review, though, it’s “literally the most realistic nipple shape” and that’s great news for breastfeeding babies!
What is it Made of? Is the Material Safe for My Baby?
By now, most of us have probably learned that BPA, or bisphenol A, is bad for not only babies but for everyone! BPA is a chemical used to make some plastics. And, some research has shown that BPA can get into our foods and drinks from storage containers. There are possible health effects of BPA and we clearly don’t want to give our babies any toxins!
The good news is that the PhysioForma is BPA-free as well as latex-free. Designed and made in Italy, these pacifiers are made from silicone, which is perfectly safe.
Love the silicone!
“My 6 month old loves it! When he’s tired, it soothes him to sleep and he’s teething so when he’s awake he likes to chew on the silicon and it really helps his gums! Great design!”
-Jamie W.
Any negatives about the PhysioForma pacifier?
One review said the pacifier became discolored after boiling it. If that’s true, it’s unfortunate, though at least it doesn’t impact the usability in any way. But, do you want to know what’s even better?
These pacifiers can include a reusable sterilizing case that sterilizes it in 3 minutes! You can’t get much more convenient than that, except each minute a baby is crying is like 20. You might have to sing a few rounds of your baby’s favorite lullaby. 😉
Okay, okay! So, how can this pacifier help my baby sleep?
Pacifiers naturally give babies a way to self-soothe when you aren’t around to feed, hold, or rock them. After all, you have to sleep (…and cook, do laundry, etc.), too! Babies have a reflexive need to suck and pacifiers help satisfy that need.
(Please note that breastfeeding babies should not use a pacifier until after 3-4 weeks old to avoid nipple confusion, but formula-feeding babies can use them from day one.)
And, remember how the nipple shape helps with breathing? Physiological breathing improves the quality of sleep, and reduces irritability and respiratory disorders. When your baby’s sleeping, it’s a lot easier for you to sleep, too!
But, won’t the pacifier fall out a million times?
Maybe. But, maybe not! This unique nipple design and extra-soft silicone with a satin-textured finish make it easier for your baby to keep it in. And, in the grand scheme of things, if you have to replace it once or twice a night when your baby is a newborn, this is definitely manageable! 10+ times like with other pacifiers not-so-much.
Perfect Paci!
“I was desperate for a pacifier my newborn would take. This was the solution to all our crankiness! He took to it instantly and it was easy for him to hold and keep in his mouth!”
-Aispow
My baby loves this pacifier!
“It’s the only one she actually keeps in her mouth without instantly spitting it out. She is able to self-soothe with it, and it’s super cute and stylish with its clear silicone rubber.”
-Megannicolewhite
And, when your baby is old enough, the soft handle of this one-piece-construction pacifier is big enough for baby to grab. And, finally, one of my favorite items to use in conjunction with the PhysioForma is the Pocket Buddy. Not only will it help your baby find his own pacifier, but it doubles as a lovey once he’s old enough to sleep with a buddy. I love how you “pull its tail to pocket the pacifier.” Adorable!
It turns out all pacifiers aren’t the same. I am so happy Chicco reached out to me. Some of the babies with which we work really need to keep the pacifier during sleep coaching and now I have one I can recommend confidently!
Disclosure: The Baby Sleep Site was compensated for this post to cover the time invested, but these opinions are all our own and we only recommend products we feel good about endorsing.
References:
https://www.infantcpr.com/blog/posts/sleeping-with-pacifier
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/3977172
https://www.aafp.org/afp/2009/0415/p681.html
https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/nutrition-and-healthy-eating/expert-answers/bpa/faq-20058331
