Abstract: A pacifier for a premature or small full-term infant includes a mouth shell and a nipple projecting generally perpendicularly therefrom. The mouth shell includes a perioral surface that is concave to conform to the perioral region of the infant and is adapted to exert a substantially uniform pressure around the mouth of the infant. The perioral surface includes a plurality of nubs projecting away from the surface for contact with and stimulation of the perioral region of the infant. The mouth shell includes a flared annular surface surrounding the perioral surface to make the pacifier large enough to avoid ingestion by the newborn, while providing clearance between the mouth shell and the infant's facial features. A V-shaped notch in the annular surface is included to accommodate nasogastric tubes in the infant's nose.The nipple has a generally constant cross-section along its entire length.