Suck to de-stress! Adult pacifier craze sweeping China

In a world where self-care looks increasingly surreal, China’s latest wellness trend is turning heads and raising eyebrows. Enter: the adult pacifier.

Not just for babies anymore, these oversised, colourful soothers are flying off virtual shelves, with some online stores selling over 2,000 units a month. Priced from a modest 10 yuan (about $1.40) to a premium 500 yuan ($70), they’re marketed as more than a quirky novelty, they’re sold as a mental health hack.

Dubbed “stress suckers” by fans, these transparent-nippled, rainbow-shielded dummies promise anxiety relief, better sleep, smoking cessation support, and even improved breathing.

Shoppers gush in reviews: “It’s like a time machine to childhood safety,” says one.

“Helped me quit smoking, gives me something to do with my hands and mouth,” shares another.

“Soft, high-quality, and I can still breathe. No judgment, just peace.” 

But as the trend goes viral, racking up 60 million views on one social platform alone, doctors are hitting pause.

Dentists warn that sucking for more than three hours a day could reshape your jaw and shift your teeth within a year. “It’s not just cute, it’s a potential orthodontic disaster,” says Dr Tang Caomin from Chengdu. “And yes, you could inhale a piece while asleep.”

Psychologists add a deeper concern: “Using a pacifier won’t fix adult problems,” says psychologist Zhang Mo. “It’s not about regression, it’s about confrontation. The real comfort comes from solving stress, not sucking it away.” 

Online reactions are split between fascination and mockery: “Is this the ultimate sign of a broken world?”

“Finally, a tax on stupidity, called the ‘adult dummy surcharge.’” 

Love it or laugh at it, the adult pacifier phenomenon reveals something profound: in a high-pressure, fast-paced society, people are searching for comfort, any comfort, where they can find it.

So is this genius self-soothing… or a symptom of a stressed-out generation?

One thing’s for sure: China’s grown-up dummies aren’t just making noise. They’re sparking a national conversation about mental health, coping, and how far we’ll go to feel safe again.

Source: South China Morning Post