What is difference between pacifier and soother?
What Is the Difference Between Pacifier and Soother?
Wait, Aren’t They the Same Thing?
At first glance, you might think “pacifier” and “soother” are just two words for that same rubbery thing babies suck on. And yeah, you'd kinda be right. But there's more to it than that—regional differences, subtle connotations, and even marketing tricks. So let’s dive in (because, why not?).
Regional Vocabulary: US vs UK vs Canada
In the United States: It’s a Pacifier
In the U.S., the term pacifier is almost exclusively used. Go into any American baby store and ask for a “soother” and you might get a confused look. “Pacifier” is standard across brands, pediatrician offices, and parenting books.
In Canada and the UK: Soother or Dummy
Meanwhile, in Canada, “soother” is super common. It’s literally the same object, but Canadian parents just call it that.
In the UK, the preferred word is dummy—which honestly sounds a little funny if you’re not used to it. But again, they’re all talking about the same basic product.
Funny story: when I visited my cousin in London and she said, “Have you seen the baby’s dummy?”, I thought she meant a toy. We both cracked up when I realized it was just a pacifier.
Functional Differences (Are There Any?)
Honestly... no, not really
From a practical standpoint, there is no difference between a pacifier and a soother. They both serve the same purpose:
Help calm or comfort a baby
Satisfy the natural sucking reflex
Sometimes act as a sleep aid (hello, bedtime magic)
So if you’re browsing online and see “orthodontic soother” or “silicone pacifier,” don’t sweat it—they’re basically interchangeable terms.
But... branding can get tricky
Some baby brands might use one term over another to appeal to a certain audience. For example:
North American brands like Philips Avent usually say “pacifier”
Canadian or European companies like MAM or NUK might label it “soother”
It’s all about regional marketing. Nothing more.
Materials and Styles: The Real Differentiators
If there’s any meaningful difference to pay attention to, it’s not in the name but in:
Material (silicone vs. latex)
Shape (orthodontic vs. rounded)
Size (newborn vs. 6+ months)
So don’t get too hung up on the word itself—check the packaging for age-appropriateness and design features.
Cultural Perception and Parenting Styles
Ah, now here’s where things get spicy.
In some circles, the word “soother” sounds more gentle, more positive—like it’s meant to comfort. The word “pacifier”, on the other hand, can feel a bit mechanical or even manipulative ("just pacify the baby and move on").
Some parenting blogs in Canada argue that “soother” reflects a more nurturing philosophy. Not sure I buy that 100%, but hey, language does shape perception.
Final Thoughts (Yeah, I changed my mind midway)
Okay, so earlier I said “there’s no real difference.” Technically that’s true. But culturally and linguistically? There is a subtle vibe that comes with the word you choose.
So if you’re chatting with a Brit, maybe say “dummy.”
If you're talking to an American pediatrician, go with “pacifier.”
And if you’re scrolling Amazon Canada at 2am looking for a miracle product—search for “soother.”
End of the day? It’s all about the baby. If they like it, who cares what you call it, right?
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Well, fellas, worry no more, because a new study has revealed 5ft 8in is the ideal height for a man. Dating app Badoo has revealed the most right-swiped heights based on their users aged 18 to 30.
Is 172 cm good for a man?
Yes it is. Average height of male in India is 166.3 cm (i.e. 5 ft 5.5 inches) while for female it is 152.6 cm (i.e. 5 ft) approximately. So, as far as your question is concerned, aforesaid height is above average in both cases.
Is 165 cm normal for a 15 year old?
The predicted height for a female, based on your parents heights, is 155 to 165cm. Most 15 year old girls are nearly done growing. I was too. It's a very normal height for a girl.
Is 160 cm too tall for a 12 year old?
How Tall Should a 12 Year Old Be? We can only speak to national average heights here in North America, whereby, a 12 year old girl would be between 137 cm to 162 cm tall (4-1/2 to 5-1/3 feet). A 12 year old boy should be between 137 cm to 160 cm tall (4-1/2 to 5-1/4 feet).
How tall is a average 15 year old?
Average Height to Weight for Teenage Boys - 13 to 20 Years
| Male Teens: 13 - 20 Years) | ||
|---|---|---|
| 14 Years | 112.0 lb. (50.8 kg) | 64.5" (163.8 cm) |
| 15 Years | 123.5 lb. (56.02 kg) | 67.0" (170.1 cm) |
| 16 Years | 134.0 lb. (60.78 kg) | 68.3" (173.4 cm) |
| 17 Years | 142.0 lb. (64.41 kg) | 69.0" (175.2 cm) |
How to get taller at 18?
Staying physically active is even more essential from childhood to grow and improve overall health. But taking it up even in adulthood can help you add a few inches to your height. Strength-building exercises, yoga, jumping rope, and biking all can help to increase your flexibility and grow a few inches taller.
Is 5.7 a good height for a 15 year old boy?
Generally speaking, the average height for 15 year olds girls is 62.9 inches (or 159.7 cm). On the other hand, teen boys at the age of 15 have a much higher average height, which is 67.0 inches (or 170.1 cm).
Can you grow between 16 and 18?
Most girls stop growing taller by age 14 or 15. However, after their early teenage growth spurt, boys continue gaining height at a gradual pace until around 18. Note that some kids will stop growing earlier and others may keep growing a year or two more.
Can you grow 1 cm after 17?
Even with a healthy diet, most people's height won't increase after age 18 to 20. The graph below shows the rate of growth from birth to age 20. As you can see, the growth lines fall to zero between ages 18 and 20 ( 7 , 8 ). The reason why your height stops increasing is your bones, specifically your growth plates.