SILICONE PACIFIER & TEETHER HYBRID

Pacifiers designed to double as teethers.

Brand: Munchkin
Launch: 2020

“Designed to relieve sore gums with every chew. ”

Teething babies gnaw on everything they can get their hands on — including their beloved pacifiers. That's why Munchkin created a multitasking soother that's easy on baby's gums, in pastels that are easy on the eyes. The Sili-Soothe & Teethe Silicone Pacifier & Teether set includes two durable, multi-textured pacifiers that soothe sore gums with their uniquely ridged surface. Made from 100% food grade silicone in aesthetically pleasing tones, the one-piece design is safe for even the tiniest teethers to chew. The pacifiers' ability to pull double duty means less clutter and longer usefulness, too — making it a smart and practical addition to your nursery essentials list.

A baby girl sitting on a white rug with colorful tassels, holding a wooden block and a teal pacifier, in a nursery with a crib and a rocking chair in the background.

Problem Statement

Traditional pacifiers were never meant to endure teething. Once babies begin gnawing, soft nipples can tear or detach, which has led to past recalls over choking hazards. Parents are often forced to take pacifiers away too early, leaving babies without comfort during a critical stage.

A collage of three images showing different pacifiers. The top right image shows a yellow pacifier with a green shield, the bottom left image shows a disassembled transparent pacifier with a yellow printed bunny on the nipple, and the bottom right image shows a person holding a brown pacifier with a blue shield.

Key Features

Close-up of textured, white, wavy surface with ridges and grooves.

All over texture to help soothe gums

Close-up of a flexible, translucent food-grade silicone sheet with a label indicating 'Food Grade Silicone' and a small icon of a fork and knife.

Made of durable, 100% food grade silicone

A hand holding a pink heart-shaped soap with ridges, against a white background decorated with white feathers.

Lightweight. Durable. One-piece.

PROCESS

A collage of various images related to the design and manufacturing process of a plush toy, including sketches, measurements, 3D modeling, prototypes, and packaging of koala-shaped silicone toys for babies.

DEVELOPMENT

Collection of various baby pacifiers with measurements and annotations in pink text, showing different designs, colors, and sizes.

RESEARCH
Studied pacifier safety issues, parental needs, and teething behaviors to identify design gaps.

Sequence of images of a small animal sculpture, including photos of the sculpture from different angles, reference photos of a koala and a possum, and sketches showing various poses of a sleeping animal.

IDEATION
Explored concepts that merge pacifier comfort with teether durability through sketches and prototypes.

Digital illustration of a baby platypus with a light-colored background.

2D SKETCH
Explored form and function through quick sketches to visualize early ideas.

Gray ceramic sculpture of a circular ring with a figure of a dinosaur on top, resembling a carved dragon or mythical creature, placed on a white surface.

PROTOTYPING (HAND SCULPTING)
Partnered with an external sculptor to refine proportions and tactile details.

3D model of a baby pacifier with a giraffe figure on top, showing mesh wireframe and base with a

3D CAD
Developed precise digital models to define geometry and ensure manufacturability.

Technical diagram showing EDM copper electrode with dimensions and annotations describing its structure and features.

COLLABORATE WITH ENGINEERS
Worked closely with engineers to create DFM solutions, resolved technical constraints and met safety standards.

Collection of colorful baby pacifiers and teething toys on a white surface.

SAMPLE MAKING
Created samples directly from tooling to evaluate design and production readiness.

Color swatches labeled with temperature readings, organized into six groups on a white surface, with two silicone markers on top.

CMF
Reviewed and tested samples, implemented refinements, and validated performance.

Close-up of a metal machine component with a turquoise silicone part attached, part of a mechanical or laboratory device on a black scratched surface, with a blurred background of other equipment.

TESTING
Reviewed and tested samples, implemented refinements, and validated performance.

Handwritten notes on a white paper with measurements and instructions for product production, placed over a plastic bag containing pink and blue plastic objects.

APPROVAL & PRODUCTION
Finalized the design for approval and transitioned into mass production.

Market Differentiation

  • Bridges a gap between pacifier-only and teether-only products.

  • Addresses real incidents where traditional pacifiers posed hazards.

  • Extends pacifier usability into the teething stage, reducing product turnover.

A young girl with brown hair, wearing a pink checkered dress, sitting on a white blanket and holding a pink stuffed bunny. She is also sucking on a pink pacifier and holding the bunny close while sitting in a softly lit nursery or bedroom.
A young toddler girl sitting on a white quilted blanket with colorful tassels in a nursery. She is wearing a pink gingham dress and has a pacifier in her mouth. Behind her is a wooden crib and a rocking chair with a yellow blanket.
Light blue baby toothbrush with a koala bear design in the center.
Blue colored anal plug with a cloud design on the handle.
Two pacifiers, one pink and one purple, with heart and letter details on the shields, placed on a white background.
Two blue and mint green pacifiers with heart designs on the handles, positioned on a white background.
Two blue silicone baby pacifiers with koala shapes, in packaging with a cardboard top and clear plastic window.
Brown cardboard packaging for a two-pack of silicone pacifiers labeled 'Koala,' with text instructions and warnings in English and French.

ACCOMPLISHMENT

Screenshot of a product listing for Munchkin silicone pacifiers and teethers, featuring the Amazon and Target logos, product ratings, and descriptions.
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