This is the best idea. I had a new grandchild and she has taken to this from the beginning. I was told that once she took this pacifier she would not like any other. Hard to believe but it was true. You can get these pacifiers without the stuffed animal, but having it on there makes it easier to hold onto both for child and parents and it is hard to lose if dropped. I have bought several, one with a dog, monkey, and duck. The only drawback is that when the pacifier wears out then unless you can sew really well to replace it, all you can do is cut the paci. off to keep the animal. This is the reason for 4 stars.