Even though your child is the one physically going through it, the teething process can be an absolute nightmare for both babies and parents. We get it — it’s hard to see that your child is angry and in pain — not to mention the fact that they’re also not being quiet about it. You’ll pretty much try anything to help ease their pain, but how do you know what’s safe? With so many baby teethers on the market, many of which have been recently recalled, it's hard to keep track of what parents should be aware of when trying to soothe their babies. But don't worry — our list of the best and safest baby teethers is here to help.
What to Consider
In order to find out what parents should consider when finding the best baby teethers, we spoke to Dr. Jonathan L. Wong, D.M.D., for some pointers. First and foremost, he wants you to know that teething is a marathon, not a sprint. After all, once babies begin teething around 5 or 6 months old, they’ll get about a tooth per month until all 20 baby teeth have made their way through the gums. Timing-wise, Wong says that “Teething for each tooth lasts an average of 8 days. Usually, 4 days before the tooth breaks through the gums (some say colloquially ‘the tooth is cut’) and for about 4 days after.”
Taking advice straight from the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry, Wong says you should look for a couple of key factors when shopping for a baby teether or toy. He advises that your baby teether “should be large enough to not be a choking risk, hygienic, and the paint or color should be lead-free.” The ability to get cold is another helpful feature to look for, and just like car seats to strollers, choosing a baby teether that's washable is critical.
And those amber teething necklaces? Toss them immediately. Wong tells us he’s not a fan of teething rings that go around a child’s neck, noting that “several children die each year from strangulation, so they’re a big no for me. I also do not like beaded chew toys, as the beads can break free and cause aspiration or choking.”
Pick up one of these baby teethers that will ease your child's pain safely and gently, one tooth at a time.
Growing brand-new teeth for the first time can be a painful and itchy process. The Nuby Silicone Teethe-eez Teether addresses a few of your babe's teething woes. The soft bristles ease itchy gums, while the bumpy sides are the perfect gnawing surface. The ring-shaped handle makes it easy for tiny hands to grasp it with ease.
Your baby can shake and rattle her way to pain-free bliss with this handy set of teething keys. Toys end up in their mouths anyway, so entice them to take a bite by making it more fun.
3
Great Training Toothbrush and Teether
Baby Banana Infant Training Toothbrush and Teether
We can’t get over how adorable this training toothbrush and teether is. A true two-for-one, the banana teether will familiarize your baby with the concept of brushing teeth, and it’ll serve as a soothing teether in the process. This one is best for babies under a year old.
Teething can start and end at different times for every baby. For your tot, who seems to be in an endless cycle of budding chompers, the Munchkin Fresh Food Feeder is perfect.
Pop in a few cold (but not frozen) fruits like bananas, and let your little one gum the soft, mesh pouch. The cool sensation from the fruit will help soothe their swollen and sore gums while offering them a yummy treat. Wong says that frozen foods are often too hard for baby's gums and can present a choking hazard.
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Best Natural Rubber
Manhattan Toy Fruity Paws Lili Llama Baby Teether Toy
This is a fantastic teether, crafted out of natural rubber — and that is what many parents are looking for.
However, Wong warns parents to “be aware that natural rubber chew toys are en vogue, but to make sure that their children are not allergic to latex first.” So if you notice that your baby is getting red or itchy after using this, throw it in the bin.
One important thing to note here is that this teether is completely sealed. Wong says that teethers that squeak or can be inflated and deflated often collect saliva and water, causing a mold problem on the inside of the toy.
This BPA-, PVC-, and phthalate-free teether is a hit among parents, with nearly 1,000 five-star reviews on Amazon. It has multiple surface-area textures, which babies adore, along with an easy-to-hold handle that can be easily affixed to a high-chair tray.
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Easy to Clean
Full Circle Tidy 100% Organic Cotton Dish Cloths (Set of 3)
We know what you’re thinking: “A dishtowel?” Yes, reader, a dishtowel.
Dr. Wong tells BestProducts.com that “one of the best items that parents report having luck with in our practice is a clean damp dishtowel straight out of the freezer. The parent can put their (clean) finger in it, and the child can chew, and the parent can massage at the same time.”
Just when you thought you couldn't fall any more in love with your baby, you gave her a cookie teether. The set includes two medical-grade silicone cookies, and one is harder than the other. Your tot will be ready for an Oreo in no time. The best part? These cookies come without the sugar crash.
Just like the extremely popular Sophie the Giraffe toy, her teething twin is just as cute. But unlike the other Sophie, the teether has an easy-grip handle, so it's less likely to get dropped on germy floors.
Parents love the fact that Sophie doesn’t look like a traditional teether. She’s a stylish toy that just happens to lure babies to gum her soft body. She’s also very easy to clean.
From the moment your little one discovers their hands, they become instant chew toys.
While keeping your baby's hands out of their mouth is nearly impossible, the Itzy Ritzy Silicone Teething Mitt is the perfect chewing buffer. The textured silicon top gently massages and soothes your tot's sore gums while the crinkly sound keeps their sense stimulated. The patterns are almost as cute as your baby!
Come close so we can let you in on a little secret: While your baby is chewing on what he thinks is just another toy, the small silicone bristles are cleaning his teeth at the same time.
While the soft bristles clean the teeth that have already popped through the gums, the same bristles ease the irritation and itch in places where teeth are still on their way. Just make sure you're cleansing and drying it thoroughly between uses, notes Wong.
Cat BowenParenting EditorCat Bowen is the parenting editor at BestProducts.com where she researches all of the best products for families from pre-conception through their teen years, focusing on matching scientific evidence with real-life needs.
Latifah MilesParenting EditorLatifah is the former parenting editor at BestProducts.com where she spent her time researching and testing the latest, greatest, and coolest products created to make parenting a breeze; her work has been featured on Cosmopolitan, Romper, and Elite Daily.
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