Choosing the best teethers for infants is crucial, as teething is a significant milestone in a baby’s development. Is teething turning your little one’s smiles into frowns? Our comprehensive guide introduces the top 10 teething toys to ease your baby’s distress.
We’ve handpicked a collection of top-rated products, even bringing onboard some enthusiastic tiny testers ready to nibble and gnaw.
Considering varying factors like design, materials used, and cleaning convenience in these teething toys, we’ve undertaken a thorough comparison. Allow our expert recommendations to steer you towards the ideal teething toy that suits your child’s needs as we reveal the best baby teethers.
Best Teether Overall Winners
Best Teether Toy
Magica
Beechwood and water-based, non-toxic stain, it offers a safe & stimulating sensory experience.
Best Teether Overall
Frida Baby
Fridge-friendly teething solution – provides soothing relief, while also being easy to clean and safe to chew.
Best Combo Teether
Haakaa
Versatile baby product – provides gentle gum relief and introduces solid foods safely and conveniently
Guide to best baby teethers
Overall Best Baby Teether
Frida Baby Not-Too-Cold-to-Hold
The Frida Baby Not-Too-Cold-to-Hold Silicone Teether is a remarkable addition to your baby’s teething toolkit. Crafted from soft and flexible silicone, this teether offers different textures that can soothe your baby’s irritated gums. Its chillable feature, providing extra comfort, sets it apart from other teethers in the market.
What We Love
- Soft and flexible silicone material
- Different textures soothe irritated gums
- Chillable for added relief
- Easy to clean and sterilize
What We Didn’t Like
- May not reach certain areas of the mouth
- Doesn’t stay cold for very long
Despite being ergonomically designed for little hands, it may struggle to reach some areas of the mouth, and its cooling effect may not last long. However, it is easy to clean and sterilize, promising a hygienic and safe teething experience. We definitely recommend it for its unique features and easy maintenance.
Best Teething Toys
HABA Magica Wooden Baby Clutching Toy & Teether
High-quality, hand-crafted toy that is perfect for babies aged 6 months and up. The wooden shapes threaded on elastic make it great for first grabbing and rattling, and the colorful design is sure to catch your baby’s eye.
What We Love
- Made with sustainably sourced wood from Germany
- Multiple layers of water-based, solvent-free lacquers make it extremely resistant to wear and tear
- Easy to grasp for young children’s hands
What We Didn’t Like
- Some babies may not be interested in the toy
We love that HABA uses wood from sustainable forestry in Germany and multiple layers of water-based, solvent-free lacquers to make the surface extremely resistant to wear and tear. The toy is easy to clean and can be taken from the hand to the mouth without any worries.
Best Feeder and Teether
Haakaa Baby Fruit Food Feeder Pacifier
This 2-in-1 feeder and teether makes introducing your little one to solids a breeze. Its soft silicone pouch has small holes that only allow tiny, digestible pieces to pass through, reducing the risk of choking.
What We Love
- Offers a safe way to introduce solids
- Double function as a teether and feeder
- Easy for little hands to hold
- Can be frozen for additional teething relief
What We Didn’t Like
- Silicone may attract hair and lint
Haakaa Baby Fruit Food Feeder Pacifier
This 2-in-1 feeder and teether makes introducing your little one to solids a breeze. Its soft silicone pouch has small holes that only allow tiny, digestible pieces to pass through, reducing the risk of choking.
What We Love
- Offers a safe way to introduce solids
- Double function as a teether and feeder
- Easy for little hands to hold
What We Didn’t Like
- Silicone may attract hair and lint
What sets this feeder apart is its dual functionality. It serves not only as a feeder but also as a teether, providing relief to your baby’s gums. You can fill the pouch with baby food, frozen fruits, vegetables, or frozen breast milk pieces. This option to freeze the contents adds another level of comfort for teething babies.
The design, featuring a large rabbit-head handle, is perfect for small hands to grip, encouraging self-feeding and fostering hand-eye coordination. However, be mindful that the silicone material can attract lint and hair, so regular cleaning is necessary. This feeder is dishwasher safe, and all components are BPA, latex, lead, and phthalate-free, ensuring your baby’s safety.
Despite the slight inconvenience of needing regular cleaning, we highly recommend the Haakaa Baby Fruit Food Feeder Pacifier for parents looking for a safe and effective way to introduce solids to their little ones. It’s perfect for babies aged four months and above and is sure to offer them relief during their teething phase.
Best for Toothbrush and Teether Combo
Baby Banana Infant Toothbrush Teether
This toothbrush is carefully designed from soft, flexible silicone, mimicking the comforting feel of a teether. It’s easy for small hands to hold, thanks to the banana “peel” handles, and gentle enough to massage sore gums without causing discomfort.
What We Love
- Durable, flexible, and baby-friendly silicone material
- Easy for tiny hands to grasp
- Gentle on sore, teething gums
- Can be chilled for added relief
What We Didn’t Like
- Can attract lint and hair due to silicone
- Not suitable for reaching back molars
The unique design of the baby banana infant toothbrush allows you to freeze the toothbrush for an added soothing effect. However, like most silicone products, it may collect lint and hair, so regular cleaning is recommended. Also, its short bristles might not reach your baby’s back molthers, limiting its effectiveness as a toothbrush. But overall, this product makes brushing an enjoyable and safer experience for little ones and comes highly recommended for babies aged 3-12 months.
Best Silicone Teether
Comotomo Silicone Teether
This teether’s design reflects the shape of a baby’s fingers, providing a chewy material that infants find familiar and satisfying.
Its specially angled pseudo-fingers are designed to reach various parts of your baby’s mouth, including the back molars, making it effective in massaging and alleviating discomfort from teething.
What We Love
- Designed to mimic baby fingers
- Easy for tiny hands to grasp
- Effectively reaches both front and back gums
What We Didn’t Like
- Silicone tends to gather lint and hair
The product’s design caters to the capabilities of tiny hands, making it easy for your little one to grip and manipulate. Furthermore, its one-piece construction simplifies cleaning, making it a practical choice for parents.
One minor drawback, however, is that the silicone material tends to attract hair and lint. Therefore, it is recommended to inspect and clean the teether before handing it over to your baby. Despite this minor inconvenience, we still hold the product in high regard.
Best Sensory Teether Toy
Arudyo Teether Toy
We were impressed with the Arudyo Teether’s high-quality materials and thoughtful design. The silicone rudder is just the right size for babies to hold and chew on, and the hollow design makes it lightweight and easy to manipulate. We also appreciated that it can be washed with boiling water for easy cleaning.
What We Love
- The silicone and natural beech materials are 100% food grade and safe for babies to chew on.
- The teether can be washed with boiling water, making it easy to keep clean and hygienic.
- The hollow design and lightweight size make it easy for babies to grasp and use for teething and grasping training.
What We Didn’t Like
- The wooden ring cannot be boiled, so it must be cleaned separately.
- Some reviewers have noted that the wood can be a bit rough.
One thing to note is that the wooden ring cannot be boiled, so it must be cleaned separately. Additionally, some reviewers have noted that the wood can be a bit rough. However, overall, we think the Arudyo Teether is a great choice for parents looking for a safe and effective teething toy for their little ones.
Best Natural Teether
Sophie the Giraffe
This classic favorite is loved by parents and babies for its easy-to-hold design and multiple chewable parts. Crafted from 100% natural rubber sourced from the Hevea tree, offering your baby a safe and eco-friendly choice for soothing their gums.
What We Love
- Made of 100% natural rubber from the Hevea tree
- Provides visual, auditory, and tactile stimulation
- Many chewable parts to soothe baby’s tender gums as baby teeth break through
What We Didn’t Like
- Slightly dearer than other teethers.
Sophie the Giraffe is more than a teether—it’s an interactive toy that stimulates your baby’s senses. The dark and contrasting spots all over its body provide visual stimulation and help your baby easily identify and familiarize themselves with Sophie. The giraffe’s built-in squeaker keeps your baby amused, stimulates their hearing, and enhances their understanding of cause and effect.
Designed with your baby’s needs in mind, Sophie has numerous chewable parts like ears, horns, and legs, making her perfect for easing the discomfort during the teething phase. Furthermore, the toy’s flexibility and light weight make it easy for little hands to grip and explore.
Types of Teethers
Teethers are designed to help soothe the discomfort that teething babies experience during the teething process. There are various types of teethers available in the market, each offering different features and benefits. Here’s a look at some of the most common types:
- Silicone Teethers: These are soft, flexible, and easy for babies to hold. They can be molded into various shapes and sizes from teething rings to a variety of any shape, and often feature textured surfaces to massage sore gums. Silicone teethers are free from harmful chemicals, making them a popular choice for parents, ensure they are made from food grade silicone.
- Wooden Teethers: Made from natural, untreated wood, these teethers are an eco-friendly option. They are hard, durable, and naturally antibacterial. The texture of wood can provide a satisfying resistance to a baby’s sore gums and often double up the teething relief with other teething toys.
- Rubber Teethers: These teethers are made from natural rubber and are perfect for babies to chew on. They are generally softer than wooden teethers but harder than silicone ones, providing a middle ground of firmness that many babies find comforting and can make some of the best baby teething toys.
- Teething Jewelry: This category includes amber teething necklaces and bracelets, designed to be worn by parents and chewed on by babies. They are typically made of silicone beads and should only be used under adult supervision.
- Frozen or Cooling Teethers: These teethers can be chilled in the refrigerator, providing extra relief for sore and inflamed gums. They often contain a sterilized water or gel that stays cold for an extended period.
- Teether-Feeder Combos: These are designed with a net or silicone pouch where you can place chilled fruits or ice chips. As the baby chews, they get the soothing coolness and the flavor of the food, making the teething process a bit more enjoyable.
- Baby Teething Toys: These are combination toys and teethers, designed to be fun to play with as well as soothing to chew on. They come in various designs and materials but often include parts specifically made for teething.
- Teething Biscuits or Wafers: These are firm, edible products designed to soothe your baby’s gums as they chew. It’s a way of introducing your baby to solid foods while also helping with teething discomfort.
- Teething Mittens: A relatively new type of teether, a teething mitt is worn on the baby’s hand and prevent them from scratching themselves while also providing a handy teething tool to help baby’s teething pain.
- Teething Toothbrushes: These teethers are shaped like a toothbrush and are used to soothe baby’s gums while also introducing them to the concept of brushing their teeth.
Buying Guide for Teethers
Selecting the best teether for your baby can be a challenge with so many options available on the market. A well-chosen teether can offer great relief to a baby’s sore gums and other teething symptoms during the teething phase, while also providing a safe item to explore and play with. Here is a detailed guide to help you make the most informed decision.
- Material: Teethers come in a variety of materials, such as wood, silicone, rubber, and plastic. Silicone teethers are popular because they’re soft, flexible, and free from harmful chemicals – important as baby bites on them frequently. Wooden teethers are also a good choice, as they’re durable and naturally antibacterial and generally make a great and durable baby teething toy. However, avoid teethers made from materials containing BPA, PVC, or phthalates, which can be harmful to your baby – so remember to look for BPA free on the lable to keep your teething baby safe.
- Texture: The texture of the teether is significant, as different textures can provide varied relief to soothe sore gums. Some babies prefer a smoother surface, while others like something with a bit more texture to massage their gums. Many teethers come with different textures in one item to cater to this need.
- Shape and Size: The teether’s shape and size should be appropriate for your baby’s age and ability to grasp. It should be easy for small hands to hold and should not pose a choking hazard. Teethers come in a variety of shapes – from simple rings to intricate animal designs.
- Ease of Cleaning: Hygiene is paramount when it comes to baby items. Look for a teether that is easy to clean, either by hand or in the dishwasher. Avoid teethers with small parts where bacteria can hide.
- Durability: The teether should be sturdy enough to withstand aggressive chewing. Check the product description and reviews to ensure that it won’t break into small parts, which could pose a choking risk.
- Temperature: Some teethers can be chilled in the fridge, providing additional soothing for inflamed gums. However, never freeze a teether as this can make it too hard and risk injuring your baby’s mouth.
- Additional Features: Some teethers double up as toys or rattles, providing extra entertainment for your baby. Others come with a case or strap to prevent them from being dropped or lost.
- Safety Standards: Always check that the teether adheres to safety standards and is suitable for babies ages. In the United States, for example, baby teethers should comply with the safety standards of the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC).
- Reviews and Recommendations: Consider other parents’ experiences with the teether. Reading reviews and seeking recommendations can provide useful insights into how well the product performs in real-world situations.
- Price: The cost of teethers varies greatly. While price can be an indicator of quality, more expensive doesn’t always mean better. Consider what features are most important to you and your baby, and find a product that meets those needs within your budget.
