If your baby has started teething, you will be fully aware of the tears that go along with the process. One fantastic way to calm your baby down is by using a purpose made teething toy. But what are the best teething toys, and why?
All babies are different. What works for one baby will not work for another, and this rings true with teethers as well. Fortunately, when it comes to teething, your baby may already be giving you a clue as to which teething toy is suitable.
Is your baby gumming on his baby blanket? A soft polyester teether may just do the job. If your baby is gumming on hard surfaces, then there are plenty of hard plastic teethers to choose from.
By paying special attention to your baby’s clues, you are much less likely to have your baby reject the teething toy that you present to him.
So without further procrastination, let’s take a look at the different styles and shapes of teethers available and the best teething toys for babies.
Brand: Lamaze Baby safe: Free from Phthalates, PVC and BPA. Size: 1.7 x 1.7 x 3.5 inches. Style: As pictured.
While it is marketed as a toy, Freddie the Firefly may just be the ultimate teether. Not only does Freddie clink, crinkle, reflect, squeak and rattle to keep your baby entertained, but the antenna, legs, rings, and ladybug are all designed to be gummed and chewed.
This teether has a large clip at the top which helps prevent Freddie from becoming lost when out and about. The clip can also be chewed on by your baby when Freddie is loose.
Brand: Baby Banana Baby safe: Free from BPA, Latex, and Phthalates. Size: 4.3 x 0.4 x 7.9 inches. Style: Color combinations may vary.
Despite its name, the Baby Banana Toothbrush is not designed for babies with teeth. The fun banana shape and soft silicon texture make for a great way to calm a teething baby.
The wide handle with numerous grip points allows tour baby to easily grasp the banana teether while learning to manipulate the brush in the mouth.
The soft silicone nubs at the end of the teether are perfect for massaging inflamed gums. Not only does your baby learn to soothe his gums, but also develops motor skills in the process.
Brand:Comotomo Baby safe: Free from Phthalates, PVC and BPA. Size: 1.7 x 1.7 x 3.5 inches. Style: Orange or blue.
Comotomo’s baby teether offering is an unusual design, almost resembling a camera stand. The four prongs have been designed to imitate the size and shape of your baby’s fingers.
The ring of the teether makes it steady for your baby to hold while the “fingers” are the perfect size so your baby won’t gag. These fingers are perfect if you have a younger baby who cannot fit larger teething toys in his mouth.
The Comotomo Baby Teether is made from medical grade silicon. Medical grade silicon is easy to sterilize and clean, a vital feature for any baby teether.
Brand: First Years Material: Satin and terry cloth Size: 6.2 x 4.8 x 1.7 inches. Style: As pictured.
Don’t be fooled by the name, this is hardly what you would call a blanket, more like a small sheet of cloth. Star Teething Blanket is an unusual teething toy in that it is made from material rather than plastic, silicon or rubber.
The different textures on each corner will help hold your baby’s interest. One corner even has a squeaky toy sewn into it, resulting in a satisfying squeak with every chew.
You can clean the Star Teething Blanket but simply placing it in a pillowcase (or mesh bag) and throwing it in your washing machine. If your baby loves to chew on blankets and sheets then you should definitely consider this teether.
Brand: Manhattan Toy Baby safe: BPA-free plastic. Size: 5 x 4 x 3.5 inches. Style: Orange or blue.
The Sensory Teether, designed by Manhattan Toy, is the swiss army knife of teething toys. Designed to rattle, be visually appealing to your baby, and easy to hold, this teether doubles as a play toy.
The many different loops not only make the teether easy to hold but also assist developing your baby’s hand-eye coordination. It's also freezer safe (a popular feature among the best teething toys) so it can be chilled to further soothe sore gums when baby is teething.
The rattle is loud enough to entertain your baby but not so loud that will drive Mama crazy. A delicate balancing act that very few baby toys get right.
Brand: Zoli Baby safe: Free from Phthalates, PVC and BPA. Size: 3.8 x 7 x 0.8 inches. Style: Blush or Grey
The Zoli Baby Bunny Teether is the teether my little one currently uses. I have written a hands on review with the Bunny Teether which details my experience.
The Zoli Baby bunny teether gets its name from the two silicon “ears” that protrude from the handle. The soft texture of the ears contrasts nicely with the hard plastic of the handle, your baby will end up chewing on both.
This teether is one of the more modern looking teethers available and is a hit among many babies and, by association, their mothers. It's definitely one of the best teething toys available.
Brand: Kids Preferred Baby safe:100% Polyester Size: 8.9 x 2.9 x 2.2 inches. Style: Orange or blue.
This teether is inspired by The Very Hungry Caterpillar, written by Eric Carle, this teether will entertain your baby for hours.
The caterpillar itself is made from polyester while the main teether is attached to the tail. If your baby is anything like mine, the whole caterpillar will end up in the mouth and not just the teether.
Each segment of the hungry caterpillar is a different texture which will assist in keeping your curious baby entertained. A shake of the Very Hungry Caterpillar Teether gives off a lovely rattle sound, further entertaining your baby.
Brand: Green Toys Baby safe: Free from BPA, PVC, and phthalates. Size: 4.5 x 4.5 x 4.5 inches. Style: Color combinations may vary.
For the environmentally conscious mothers out there, this teether is made from 100% food-safe recycled plastic. The manufacturing process of this teether not only saves energy but also reduces greenhouse gas emissions. Few of the best teething toys available can make that claim.
So how does recycled plastic work as a teething toy? Surprisingly well. The twist teether is made of a harder plastic than other teething options. While hard plastic is not the first material you think of when looking for a teether, many mothers use it as a successful teething solution.
Each of the tags on the twist teether is a different texture giving your baby a whole lot of choice when it comes to gumming. If the twist teether is given a shake, it will make a rattling sound, further entertaining your baby.
Brand:LifeFactory Baby safe: Free from PVC, BPA, Latex and other nasties. Size: 5.5 x 4.5 x 1.6 inches. Style: Multiple colors available.
Unlike other baby teething toys on the market, the teether by LifeFactory forms a perfect ring. The design not only makes the teether super easy for a baby to hold, but it can even fit around your wrist, a great way to keep a teether on hand.
Located around the silicon ring are four different textures designed to keep your baby interested in. These different textured sections have been designed to help develop oral motor skills.
Since the teether is made from medical grade silicone it can simply be sterilized with boiling water. This medical grade silicone makes for a soft, flexible teether. A lovely contrast from other teethers made from much harder plastics. These do a fantastic job and work well to soothe sore gums and baby teeth. They may be the best teething rings for babies.
Brand: VulliBaby safe: Free from Phthalates and BPA.Size: 9.8 x 5.5 x 2.1 inches.Style: As pictured.
If you have heard of any teethers in the list, chances are its the Sophie the Giraffe teething toy. Praised by celebrities and mothers alike, this is one of the most popular teethers for infants.
Don’t be fooled by the fact that this teething toy looks more like a play toy than a teether, it is very effective. The long legs are perfect for reaching the molars at the back while the head and neck can just as easily be gummed on.
The body is made of 100% natural rubber combined with food grade paint. While the paint may fade over time, many mothers report that the structure of the teething toy endured the entire teething process.
While not all plastic teethers are a safety issue, a lot depends on what kind of plastic is used in the construction of the teething toy. Cheap plastic toys (often imported from countries where there are few controls on food and toy safety) don't make good teething toys for babies and can even be dangerous. If hard plastic is your preference, then food grade plastic may be your best choice. Food-grade silicone or medical grade silicone is also a great option.
Wooden toys and natural fabrics are another option, but again, they should be free of lead-based-paint or any other chemical coating that might harm your baby. The same can be said of PVC, BPA, and Latex additives: you don't want chemicals like that in contact with your adult teeth, much less tender, developing baby teeth. Also with a wooden teether or a fabric teether, you must watch out for splinters and loose threads which can irritate sore gums and create a choking hazard for your child. You want something durable, hypoallergenic, and safe for your child's teething toy.
In the end, the best teething toy for your baby will depend on safety and the preferences of your child -- why spend a lot of money on a teether that your baby won't chew? Teething sticks that simulate toothbrushes, plastic teething beads, teething jewelry, even specialized teething clothing like Cheeky Chompers -- there are lots of ways to soothe sore gums and soothe incoming baby teeth. But before you toss any old teether into your diaper bag or attach one to your baby's pacifier clip, be sure it will work for your child.
The examples above represent my favorite teething toys, with explanations as to why. What is your baby’s favorite teether? Let me know below.
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