China

Adult Pacifier Use in China Gains Popularity

AUG 12 2025·Updated AUG 13 2025

Story

Above: A pacifier held between an adult and a small child. Image credit: Thanasis Zovoilis/Getty Images

The Facts

Adult pacifiers have become a trending product in China, with some online retailers claiming to sell over 2,000 units monthly at prices ranging from 10 to 500 yuan ($1.40 to $70). The products are marketed as stress relievers, sleep aids and smoking cessation tools on e-commerce platforms like Taobao and JD.com.
South China Morning Post
We Are The Mighty
The MES Times
Buyers report that the products help ease workplace stress, improve sleep and support quitting smoking. One user described "psychological comfort" while giving up cigarettes, while another reported feeling "a sense of safety from childhood" under job pressure.
New York Post
Says
Some medical professionals warn that prolonged use may cause dental misalignment, jaw stiffness and breathing problems. Dr. Tang Caomin, a dentist in Sichuan province, said using pacifiers for over three hours daily could shift tooth position.
Vice
OnlyMyHealth
Psychologists describe this as a "regression phenomenon," where adults cope with stress by reverting to childhood behaviors that once provided safety and security. However, some experts caution that this response may interfere with addressing the root causes of stress and developing healthy coping strategies.
Vice
OnlyMyHealth
The trend has gained significant social media attention with over 68 million views on Sina Weibo — China's X-like social media platform — and is spreading globally through platforms like TikTok. Some videos show American adults using pacifiers during work stress, while in traffic and when experiencing burnout.
China Daily
We Are The Mighty
Kevin Clancy on TikTok
The phenomenon has sparked controversy beyond China, with a Bahrain Parliament member expressing concern about adults using pacifiers in public, calling it "a violation of public morals." Hassan Ibrahim urged the Interior Ministry to investigate after receiving citizen complaints about people using pacifiers while driving.
The Indian Express
ARAB TIMES

Sources Split

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The Spin

Narrative A

Adult pacifiers offer a practical solution for managing modern stress and anxiety. Users consistently report positive experiences, from workplace stress relief to smoking cessation support. The products provide immediate comfort and psychological benefits at an affordable price point, making them accessible stress management tools.

Says

Narrative B

This trend represents a concerning avoidance of real problem-solving and poses genuine health risks. Medical experts warn of dental damage, breathing problems and choking hazards from prolonged use. Rather than addressing underlying stress causes, adults are regressing to infantile behaviors that may worsen their ability to cope with life challenges.