Oral soothers, also known as pacifiers or dummies, are commonly used for babies to help soothe them and provide comfort. They are often used as a substitute for a mother's breast when the baby is not hungry but needs to suckle for comfort. The shape of an orthodontic soother is designed to fit the baby's mouth, with a bulbous end that mimics the shape and feel of a mother's nipple. The natural oral sucking action when feeding can help baby self soothe and relieve their pain, and hence soothers are used to stimulate that action when the nipple is not available and baby is distressed. In this way they are a helpful tool for babies when they are feeling upset or uncomfortable. Using a soother can help calm and soothe them and in this way stimulate self-soothing behaviours in babies that can be beneficial for their mental and emotional development.

Most soothers have a silicone baglet, that mimics the feel of a mother's breast, giving the baby a sense of comfort and security. This is a synthetic material that is nontoxic, hypoallergenic and easy to clean and sterilise. They are also more durable than latex soothers, which means they can last longer. On the other hand, latex soothers are made from natural rubber, meaning they are better for the environment and some babies prefer the texture and flexibility of latex over silicone but some babies may have an allergy to latex, so parents should be aware of any potential reactions.

The size of the soother chosen depends on the age of your baby and their mouth size. A good rule of thumb is to make sure that the soother is not too big that it blocks the baby's nose or too small that it can be swallowed. Soothers come is a vast array of shield types, air ones tend to have larger holes around the mouth and ideal for little ones with sensitive skin. Many have a finger ring to allow the adult to easy place and remove the soother from the babies mouth, while others have a raised button. At Baby City, there are some lovely designs and colours to choose from by leading brands in the industry including MAM.