How to Use the Pinch-to-Close Pop & Go Pacifier Correctly

By Doddle & Co | Pacifier The Pop & Go with a pinch to close ... | Published: 2026-10-15

Category: How-to Guides

Learn the correct way to pinch, close, and reopen a Pop & Go pacifier so the nipple stays protected on the go. Step-by-step instructions plus common mistakes to avoid.

Quick answer

Hold the shield with the nipple facing away from you, press the two sides of the shield together between your thumb and fingers until the nipple tucks inside, then release. To reopen, pinch the same two sides again and the nipple pops back out. You never need to pull the nipple with your fingers, and you never need a case.

Why the pinch-to-close design changes your routine

A standard pacifier lives in a case or loose in a bag, and both options mean the nipple touches whatever is nearby. The Pop & Go pacifier removes the case from the equation: pinching the shield tucks the nipple away so it is protected from unwanted surface contact while you and baby are on the go. That single design choice is why the closing motion matters more than it would on an ordinary pacifier.

The same mechanism works while baby is wearing the pacifier on a clip. You can pinch the sides to close it without taking it off, which is useful when baby takes a break mid-errand. Because the pacifier is designed to hold its position, it stays closed even when baby plays with it or sets it down.

Before the first use: check the size and the parts

The Pop & Go comes in multiple sizes, and one feature is size-specific: the pops-when-drops function is available for the 0-3 month size only. If you are buying for an older baby, expect the pinch-to-close protection but not the drop-activated pop. Confirm the size on the packaging before you build a habit around a feature that size does not have.

Check the shield, the nipple, and the hinge area for tears or stickiness before the first pinch. A pacifier that has been chewed, left in a hot car, or washed at high heat may not hold its closed position reliably. If the nipple does not stay tucked after you release the shield, stop using that unit.

How to clean it without ruining the close

The pacifier is 100% silicone and free of lead, PVC, BPA, and latex, which makes routine cleaning straightforward. Warm water with a mild soap, a thorough rinse, and full air drying is the safest default. Pay attention to the crease where the nipple folds into the shield, because residue collects there and can make the close feel sticky.

Skip anything that could distort silicone: boiling, dishwasher heat cycles, and sanitizing wipes that leave a film. A distorted shield will not press flat, and a shield that will not press flat will not hold the nipple closed. If the close starts feeling loose, clean the hinge area first before assuming the pacifier is worn out.

Pairing it with a clip and a teether

A pacifier clip keeps the Pop & Go off the floor and within reach, and it is the setup the pinch-to-close design was built around: clip it to baby's clothing, and close the pacifier in place when baby pauses. Keep the clip short enough that it cannot loop around the neck, and check the clip attachment point each time you use it.

If your older baby is past the pacifier stage but still mouthing everything, the Slow Poke Turtle is a separate option in the same The Chew category. It uses micro-textures for gum relief for babies 3+ months and converts into a bubble-popping toy for kids 12+ months. It is not a pacifier and does not close, so treat it as a different tool rather than a substitute.

Pinch-to-close steps, in order

Step 1: Hold the shield, not the nipple: Grip the shield with the nipple pointing away from your palm. Your thumb and fingers should sit on the two opposite sides of the shield, ready to press them together. Checkpoint: if your fingers are on the nipple, you are set up to pull rather than pinch, which is the most common handling mistake.
Step 2: Pinch the two sides together: Press the sides of the shield toward each other in one smooth motion. The nipple tucks inward and the shield holds it in place. You should feel the shield meet, not the nipple bend. Mistake to avoid: squeezing the nipple itself. That stretches the silicone and shortens the life of the fold.
Step 3: Release and confirm the closed position: Let go and look at the pacifier from the side. The nipple should sit tucked inside the shield with no tip poking out. Because the design holds its position, it should stay that way when you set it down. Checkpoint: if the nipple springs back out on its own, clean the hinge area, then inspect for damage before relying on it in a bag.
Step 4: Reopen with the same pinch: Pinch the sides again and the nipple pops back out. Do this before offering the pacifier to baby rather than pulling the nipple out with your fingers. Mistake to avoid: prying the nipple out from the tip. Repeated pulling is what makes the close feel loose over time.
Step 5: Close it on the clip during breaks: When baby pauses while wearing the pacifier on a clip, pinch the sides to close it in place. This keeps the nipple off clothing, stroller straps, and car seat surfaces without removing the clip. Next step: if you are still deciding between styles, the Night/Cloud 9 and standard colorways share this mechanism, so pick on color and price rather than function.

Product facts that affect how you use it

Pop & Go Pacifiers - Night/Cloud 9: Pop & Go Pacifiers - Night/Cloud 9: pinch the pacifier to tuck the nipple away to protect it from unwanted surface contact when you and baby are on the go; the pops-when-drops feature is available for the 0-3 month size; 100% silicone, no lead, PVC, BPA, or latex. The Night/Cloud 9 colorway uses the same pinch mechanism as the standard colors, so the closing steps below apply to both. The size note matters because pops-when-drops is not available on every size.
Pop & Go Pacifiers: Pop & Go Pacifiers: no need for a case; pinch the pacifier to tuck the nipple away; designed to hold its position even when baby plays with it or takes a break; ideal when paired with a pacifier clip, simply pinch the sides to close it while baby wears it; 100% silicone. The hold-its-position design is what makes the closed state useful in a diaper bag or on a clip. If your pacifier does not stay closed, that is a signal to inspect or replace it.
Slow Poke Turtle: Slow Poke Turtle: shaped like a turtle, designed to soothe sore gums with gentle micro-textures while keeping hands busy with poppable bubbles; uses patented pop technology; for gum relief for babies 3+ months and becomes a bubble-popping toy for kids 12+ months. Useful when a baby has outgrown pacifiers but still needs oral comfort. It is a teether and fidget, not a pacifier, so it does not replace the pinch-to-close routine.