Teething can be a frustrating and uncomfortable time for mom and baby. Although some babies exhibit early signs of teething at three or four months old, the pain usually begins a few months later (source). When your baby is in pain, you need a solution right now! Here is a list of the best baby teethers based on my experience and parent recommendations. I will start with the classic baby-held teethers. Toward the end, you will find options for you or your child to wear that are handy all day.
Best Baby Teethers
Unlike the other baby teethers below, the teetherpop, Baby Banana, and Maple Teether are all made in the USA.
Maple Teether Pair
Maple Teether Pair is the set of teethers we bought for our second baby. We loved that they were made of a natural material and in the USA.
The wood is sanded very smoothly, and it isn’t treated with any chemical finishes. Unfortunately, our son didn’t really like them as much as we did. The majority of parents are happy with them, though.
You do need to be careful with how you clean these teethers as well. The manufacturer recommends that you wipe them with warm, soapy water. If soaked or put in the dishwasher, they may crack while drying. Some users have reported cracks, and this may be why. So, just wipe them down, and inspect them for cracks before each use to be safe.
If you like the idea of a wooden teether but want something in a cuter shape, check out Owl Shaped Maple Teether and Pi Shaped Maple Teether.
Munchkin Fresh Food Feeder
The Munchkin Fresh Food Feeder is for teething AND introducing solid foods. You can put pieces of food into the mesh, and allow your baby to gnaw on them.
The mesh should prevent very large pieces of food from ending up in your baby’s mouth, reducing the risk of choking. You definitely need to supervise your child during use, though.
These work best for very soft foods, like strawberries and melons, or frozen cubes of food. The coldness of the food will also work well for teething pain. Your teething baby might even enjoy chewing on the handle after they finish the food!
The food feeder is safe to put in the top rack of the dishwasher, although we recommend that you rinse off bits of food immediately after use to prevent them from drying onto the mesh.
If your child is at least six months old, and is trying out solid foods, this is a nice option to both explore foods and fight teething pain.
Infantino Good Bites Textured Carrot Teether
The Infantino Good Bites Textured Carrot Teether is an adorable choice for your child. Who wouldn’t smile to see a baby gnawing on a big carrot?
This carrot teether is made of silicone and is for ages three months and up. It has handles to help your baby hold it which some infants also love to chew on. There are different textures on the orange versus green ends to give your child options of chewing surfaces.
The silicone is firm, but not too hard or soft. It tends to attract fewer hairs and fuzzies than some other teething toys.
This teether is a bit heavier than some others, making it a little harder for smaller babies to hold.
Some cons of this teething toy are that chilling, heat sanitizing, or boiling are not recommended.
I don’t remember seeing this kind of teether when my kids were young enough, but I would give this one a try. It looks cute and sturdy.
There are two other food-shaped options from Infantino: Lil’ Nibbles Fruit Kabob and Lil’ Nibbles Peas in A Pod Teether.
Itzy Ritzy Silicone Teething Mitt
How would you like a teething ring that stays on your baby’s hand? That’s what you get with the Itzy Ritzy Silicone Teething Mitt. It comes with a cute cactus shape, great for fans of the desert or those who want to hop on the cactus trend bandwagon.
This teether is made of silicone and has a mitt on the bottom for your baby’s hand. An adjustable hook and loop closure gives a snug fit on this BPA-free toy.
If you don’t like the cactus, there are several other fun patterns. Each of the mitts has texture for easier gripping and soothing. Moreover, the mitt can help to keep your baby from scratching their face.
Finally, the teether is machine or hand washable. Just wash on cold and air dry. It may be used as young as 3 months old. It’s easy to use and makes a crinkling sound, giving both entertainment and comfort to a baby.
The only issue is that infants can outgrow this option quickly as it only comes in one size. At some point, you will end up replacing it with another option. It’s extremely affordable though, and babies lose things often, so it’s not a big sacrifice.
Why not soothe your baby with a mitt ready to provide relief, cuteness, and fun textures. No other teething toy is similar!
Baby Teething Toys for Newborn Infants
The Baby Teething Toys for Newborn Infants would make a lovely gift for new parents, or to give your own child a variety of teethers to try. Despite the word “newborn” in its name, these teething toys are recommended for infants who are old enough to sit and move around. This product comes with six different teething toys in two distinct varieties. Chances are that your baby will love at least one of them.
Four of the options are fruit-shaped, and have a nice handle and stand. The other two are flat toys that may be hooked onto a pacifier clip.
Unlike many other options, these teethers can be put in a freezer, and sterilized in hot water.
You’ll love the variety of toy types and chewing surfaces. The textures are more flexible than other silicone teethers. Some of the fruit-shaped ones are very narrow, however, and could be inserted too far into the baby’s mouth. Be sure to supervise your baby when he or she uses these teething toys.
I think this set would be a great gift for new parents because of the variety, and the way the toys can withstand heat and cold.
Baby Teething Toys – Elephant Teether
The Baby Teething Toys – Elephant Teether is another option that can be put in the fridge or freezer as well as being safe to clean in the dishwasher, sterilizer or boiling water.
The Elefun teether comes in blue or pink, and is recommended for newborns to 24 months. It is approximately 3.5 inches by 2.5 inches, so it’s not very big. It’s a great size for most infants.
The elephant has five different textures on it, and the trunk helps baby to reach her molars with the toy.
This teething toy is great because babies love its shapes and size. It’s also very durable.
This teether may have a strong chemical smell when first opened. It is made from 100% food-grade silicone. Unlike other options, parents had very few complaints about pieces breaking off, which makes this teether stand out to me.
I would recommend giving this teething toy a try because of its cute design, and the variety of ways that you can safely clean it.
Bonbino Teether Rings
The Bonbino Teether Rings (4 Pack) comes in a few different color packs: multicolor (pictured), pastel, pink, and blue/green.
The rings are made of food-grade silicone and bend easily. They are also dishwasher-safe for easy cleaning.
I couldn’t find a manufacturer’s recommendation on chilling these, but, because they are made of silicone, I would imagine that they could be put into the freezer without causing damage.
Each ring has the same set of textures. The only difference between rings is their color.
It is nice to have several rings so that one is easy to find when your child wants it. You’ll also appreciate that it is dishwasher safe. These silicone rings attract less dirt and hair than other teethers.
Some complaints are that it doesn’t reach baby’s back teeth very well, and it’s a little big for some babies to chew.
I think this set does look very usable and safe, but, if I were buying a set of teething toys, I’d prefer more variety.
Vulli Sophie The Giraffe Teether
The Vulli Sophie The Giraffe Teether has been a very popular baby toy for several years. It is made of rubber, unlike many silicone teething toys, so it is fairly soft.
The paint is food-based which the manufacturer says can fade. Many parents agree the color can come off pretty quickly, but at least it is safe for ingestion.
Sophie also has a squeaker inside which many children love. This makes cleaning, however, more complicated as you don’t want water to get inside the squeaker hole. Doing so could cause mold to grow inside Sophie, so it is recommended that you clean the giraffe only with a damp cloth and soapy water, keeping the hole covered.
You might be skeptical of Sophie’s price tag before making the purchase, but there are legions of fans that report she was well worth the cost. It’s hard to explain why, but many babies just love her.
If you have a pet at home, you might need to be extra careful to keep Sophie out of reach, as many animals will be very interested in her squeaker as well.
There is another Sophie option that’s more like a traditional teether, and has no squeaker: Sophie La Girafe – So Pure Teether Giraffe. Many parents were upset to find out that this version is made in China (the original Sophie is made in France).
I thought Sophie was kind of a weird trend when my kids were babies, and I never bought one. But, after my research, if I had a really miserable teether who didn’t like other options, I might heed other parents’ advice and try Sophie.
Nuby Soothing Corn Teether
Next is a cute food-shaped toy, the Nuby Soothing Corn Teether. It has handles for your child to hold, and a stand to help keep it upright and clean when not in use.
The corn teether is for infants three months and up. It is safe to put in the top rack of the dishwasher, and to boil or steam sterilize.
The corn and husk provide different textures for teething babies to choose from.
There is also a banana version, but its peel doesn’t come all the way down to form loop handles like the corn one. It still gives babies a place to grip, though.
Both versions are made of 100% soft silicone. The parts below the handles aren’t as long as other available teethers.
I think this is a cute option that looks sturdy and durable.
Baby Banana Toothbrush and Training Teether
The Baby Banana is one of the few teething options I found that was made in the USA. It is meant to be a toothbrush for ages 3-12 months, but it also provides good chewing options for teething infants.
Baby Banana is dishwasher and freezer safe.
It also comes in several other varieties, including shark, unicorn, dragon, corn, and more. Not all the varieties list where they are made, though. If “made in the USA” is important to you, choose one of the banana teethers.
Some parents like using it as a toothbrush, but others prefer it as a teether. It’s a matter of what works for your baby. Be warned – bristles can break off after some use, so be sure to inspect it beforehand.
I think this looks like a cute way to introduce toothbrushing. We used the finger toothbrushes for my kids, but they bit me fairly often. One of these might have worked better.
If you are looking for more oral health items, check out our list of the best baby toothpastes.
The American Academy of Pediatrics also offers a Guide to Children’s Oral Health with good information on infant tooth care and teething management.
Itzy Ritzy Silicone Baby Teether
The coffee-to-go cup is just one option available from the Itzy Ritzy Silicone Baby Teether collection. Others include avocado, eyeglass, rainbow, llama, and more.
All of the options are made from 100% food-grade silicone that is bendable. They are also free of BPA, PVC, phthalates, lead, and cadmium, in addition to being CPSIA-compliant.
These teethers have textures to help the baby grip and have interesting places to chew. Open spaces allow the child to grab onto the teether easily.
Sometimes, mom and baby just need matching lattes. While I am not a coffee fan, I would consider one of the animal teethers as a gift.
Manhattan Toy Teether Elephant Soft Snuggle Blankie Toy
If your child really enjoys their lovey or blankets, you may want to try Manhattan Toy Teether Elephant Soft Snuggle Blankie Toy. While there are parts meant for chewing, the main body of this toy is fabric.
The elephant’s feet have textured plastic for chewing, and a soft ring attaches to the top of the head so you can attach it to a stroller. The fabric ears and front paws provide softer places to chew. It is appropriate for newborns and up.
Inside the fabric is crinkly material to give your child extrasensory experiences. The elephant can be cleaned in a washing machine but must be air-dried.
If your baby refuses more firm teethers, try this! Some kids like to chew on soft surfaces, and this one is great because it’s washable.
We had a similar toy that was dog-shaped, and our kids loved the crinkly sounds so much! I don’t remember if it helped with teething as much, but I would recommend it as a good all-around infant toy.
Bebe Neutral Cookie Teether Necklace
The Bebe Neutral Cookie Teether & Gum Massager comes with a necklace for mom to keep the toy nearby, or to hook around a stroller handle.
To prevent strangulation, it is recommended to remove the string before giving this teether to your baby. Once the lanyard is removed, the “cream filling” ring may be taken off of the cookie portion to make cleaning easier.
There are also versions that come with a pacifier clip instead of a necklace if you don’t intend to wear it.
The green cookie is a medium-hard chewer, but there are other colors and levels of firmness. The red is the softest texture, and the black is the hardest.
The green texture is probably just right for a teething baby, though the black looks most like an Oreo. Black, which is the hardest texture, can hold up even to chewing by older children and adults.
I think this teether looks super cute. Before giving this to your baby, I would recommend detaching the cookie from its string, and perhaps the white center ring as well. I had an older child who needed a necklace to chew on for a period of time, and this would be a good option because it doesn’t look babyish.
Grabease Training Spoon and Chewable Toy
The Grabease Training Spoon and Chewable Toy is meant to be easy for baby to use to feed herself, and have a safe toy to chew as well.
The spoon handle is short, and designed for an older baby to grip it pretty well. There is a guard between the handle and the spoon, meant to prevent the entire spoon from going into your child’s mouth.
Smart and curious babies could fit the entire guard into their mouths, so I’d recommend supervision when your infant uses it as a spoon or teether.
This teething spoon comes with a pacifier-type clip, which you might love or hate. It attaches to the spoon/toy kind of oddly, wrapping around the handle (I guess there isn’t really a better spot to put it without adding a hole.) You wouldn’t want to use the tether while your baby eats since food would get all over the string and fabric. The tether might be handy at other times.
This spoon is a single piece of food-grade silicone. Spoons were some of my kids’ favorite things to chew on, so I would have given this a try if I had come across it years ago.
Bright Starts Grab and Spin Rattle
The Bright Starts Grab and Spin Rattle is primarily a rattle, but the handle is designed to help with teething.
There is a clear chamber with small colored balls that roll around as your baby moves the rattle. There are also two shapes that can move along the handle which have textures that may interest a teething baby.
It is recommended for infants 3 months and up, and it is easy for a baby to grasp.
The rattle can be hand-washed, but, when submerged, the clear chamber can retain water. If you place it in the sun to dry, the water will evaporate. I would recommend just wiping it clean to ensure that mold doesn’t develop.
Also, be aware that the color received may vary from that in the photo. If you are picky about colors, you may want to choose another teething toy.
This toy should only be used with supervision because the shapes on handle slide and are quite hard. You find that this texture bothers baby’s mouth.
I think this is a good choice for a general baby toy, but only if you will be supervising your child during use.
Malarkey Kids Munch Mitt Teething Mitten
The Malarkey Kids Munch Mitt Teething Mitten is a good choice for babies who can’t quite grasp a toy and get it to their mouths yet. It also helps protect the hands of infants who constantly chew on their fingers, while giving parents a break from picking toys up off the floor.
You put the mitten on your child’s hand, and velcro helps hold it on. The top of the mitten is textured silicone for safe chewing. There is also crinkly material inside the fabric to provide an auditory experience as well.
It comes in a variety of different colors. The teether is designed for babies 3-12 months, although older infants may be able to remove the mitten themselves.
The mitten may be hand or machine washed, and it can be put in the dryer on low/medium heat or gentle.
This genius little mitten is so helpful! While the plastic part might be too hard for the baby, and the hand sizing might be “off,” it’s still a smart option.
If you are really trying to prevent your child from chewing their own fingers too much, you may want to buy two to protect both hands.
I think this does look like a good solution for babies who get finger rashes from chewing, or who can’t yet grasp a toy very well.
Best Teething Beads
Compared to the Manhattan Toy Classic Baby Beads, which is made of wood with elastic bands, the Giftty Bandana Bibs are made with Organic Cotton.
Manhattan Toy Classic Baby Beads
Another wooden option that will be fun before and after teething time is Manhattan Toy Classic Baby Beads. This toy is made up of several colorful large wooden balls attached by elastic.
The paint is water-based and lead-free to be safe for your child to chew on. The balls also twist and turn because of the elastic, so it is interesting to hold and twist as well as to chew on. As the balls move, they make a nice clicking sound, adding another level of interest.
This toy is suitable for older infants and toddlers. Younger infants will have difficulty holding this cluster of balls. The manufacturer says they are also good toys for older children with autism. Several parents agree.
The wooden balls are much too big to be choking hazards if they happened to separate from the elastic. This is a definite plus. The paint may wear off very easily, however, and end up in your child’s mouth. I’d recommend washing the beads first and then monitoring them for signs of chipped paint.
These may also be a little heavy for young babies, but I like that this toy might outlive the months to years of teething. I would recommend this as a general older infant/toddler toy that might also help with teething.
Demdaco Teething Scarf
Next, I will share some wearable teething options. The Demdaco Teething Scarf is a cute way to keep a teether handy as you carry your baby around.
It comes in a few different colors, and it can be worn in several ways. Attached to the fabric of the scarf is a round silicone teether along with other activities for babies
The scarf is for adult use only, but the teether is recommended for ages 3-12 months. It is machine washable, a good thing since it will get drooled on.
Most moms will like the convenience of the scarf. It would be great if it were a bit larger to also double as a nursing cover. As is, the scarf is a bit small for that.
I would have given this a try as a shirt protector as well as a teether when my kids were babies. It would be odd to wear when not with your baby, but I think it would be great for going out with your child or wearing around the house.
Bandana Bibs with Teething Corner
Bandana Bibs with Teething Corner (Aqua, 5-Pack) are a combination bib and teether.
The bandana-style bibs have two snap closures to allow for sizing adjustment. On the front of the bib is cotton fabric, and the back is a fleece. There is also a silicone teething surface at the bottom of the bib.
The bibs can be machine washed and dried. Parents say they hold up well after washing, and most say that they are absorbent.
The fleece underside makes them a bit warmer than all-cotton bibs, so they might not be the best choice for hot weather.
They also come in several colors: Pink, Black and Blue, and Black Forest.
I think these bibs would work well for keeping a drooling baby dry, and providing an “on the go” teething option that’s less likely to be dropped.
Best Freezer Teethers
The Nuby Teether Keys and Nuby Teethe-eez offers relief for all erupting teeth whereas the green sprouts Cooling Ring and Cooling Teether offer relief for front teething. These teethers are designed for babies 3 months and up with the exception of the Cooling Teether which is for babies 6 months and up.
Nuby Silicone Teethe-eez Teether with Bristles
The Nuby Silicone Teethe-eez Teether with Bristles is ok for newborns and up. It is made of one piece of soft silicone with a variety of surfaces for your child to explore.
There are a few color options. It comes with a handy carrying case for you to easily throw in a diaper bag and keep clean.
Parents like that it is small enough for young or petite babies to get into their mouths. Many infants seem to like the bristles on the end.
Some reviewers noted that this teether may crack or the bristles can break off. Make sure you inspect it carefully before each use.
I like that the Teethe-eez has different textures, including bristles. I think many infants will be able to find at least one that part they enjoy chewing on.
Nuby Ice Gel Teether Keys
The Nuby Ice Gel Teether Keys is a very classic teething toy. Many babies love to have toys that look like your interesting objects – phone, keys, remote, etc.
This set of toy keys is great for babies getting teeth or who just love to chew. They are designed to go in the fridge to get nice and cool for those sore gums. It is not recommended to put them in the freezer, however.
There are different textures on each key to give your child a variety of surfaces from which to choose. This allows the toy to be used for front or back teeth, and from the sore gum stages up through fully erupted teeth.
This toy is for ages three months and up, and it comes in two different color schemes. Most parents are happy with this item, although some think it is a bit too big and heavy for smaller babies to hold. You can cut the ring to remove the keys for individual use, even though this was not the intended use.
These toy keys cannot be boiled or cleaned in a dishwasher; you must hand wash them. You should also frequently inspect the gel-filled keys for any nicks or cuts to be sure your child doesn’t ingest the gel.
We didn’t have this exact set in my home, but key-shaped teethers were used often throughout the infant and toddler years.
Green Sprouts Cooling Ring Teethers
The Green Sprouts Cooling Ring Teether is also a very classic type of teether. The rings are filled with water, and are designed to go in the fridge.
A good point about these teethers is that they are great for babies of all ages. Some parents, however, felt they were too big for their younger babies to hold and chew on.
These water teethers can only be surface cleaned, so don’t try to microwave or heat sterilize them. They are not recommended for the freezer, and should only be cooled in the fridge.
As with many “filled” teethers, these may spring water leaks. However, this isn’t as concerning as a leak from gel-filled options. If they do leak, they should be discarded to prevent your baby from chewing off pieces of plastic around the hole.
We had a set of teethers very similar to this. It was nice to leave them in the fridge, and pull them out when needed.
Nuby Silicone Gum Massager
The Nuby Silicone Gum Massager is designed to rub on your child’s gums, but many infants like chewing on it as well. It is for ages three months and up.
It has bristles that, when positioned properly, will massage baby’s top and bottom gums. Parent involvement will probably be required in order to use it like that, similar to teeth brushing.
Most infants will enjoy chewing on it any way possible, not necessarily with the bristles positioned correctly. Even the handle is a nice flexible spot to chew on!
This massager is available in blue, aqua, green, and pink. It may be difficult to choose your prefered color, so pay close attention when ordering if the color matters.
In some cases, this teether might be too big for your baby’s mouth, especially petite or younger babies who have smaller gums. Even so, baby will still find a way to gnaw on it.
I would recommend this teether for infants who already like the feeling of bristles as that is the main attraction of this teether. If you don’t know what your baby prefers, I would try an option with multiple textures instead. This massager may also be great to use as a toothbrush.
green sprouts Cooling Teether
The green sprouts Cooling Teether is made of silicone, and is filled with sterilized water. It is meant for babies 6 months and up, and to help with teething pain caused by front teeth. It probably won’t be helpful for teething pain from molars.
The cooling teether is designed to be chilled in the fridge. It may break if you freeze it, as the water inside expands. It is also not to be boiled or steam sterilized. These teethers must be hand washed.
There are a few different shapes. The ones pictured above are round with five “fingers” sticking out of them. They have the same texture all over. There are also fruit-shaped teethers that have a bit of extra texture at the leaf/stem end.
A lot of parents and infants enjoy this teether because it is easy for baby to grip.
You might find that this teether is harder than you’d hoped, and that the nubby fingers are too close together. You may even experience a leak in the rings. If so, you would need to discard the teether. The water inside, however, is not hazardous.
I think I would prefer a teething toy with more texture varieties. However, if you know your baby enjoys the water-filled ones, this would be a good choice.
teetherpop
The teetherpop is another feeding/teething item. You can fill the flexible silicone top with purees, breastmilk, smoothies, or water. Slits in the top allow your child to get a little bit out at a time.
You can also fill them, and put them in the freezer for homemade ice pops that will provide food plus a nice chill to sore gums. It comes with a cap to cover the food while it freezes or to take it on the go.
This teether is made in the USA as well. It comes in several colors, and is meant for ages 6-24 months. It is safe to put in the top rack of the dishwasher.
There is very little mess with this item, as the liquid can only drip out of a few slits. A few complaints are that the teetherpop leaks, and the cap breaks very easily.
I think this looks like it will work better than putting frozen cubes in the mesh feeders. If you have older kids who are eating regular ice pops, your baby or toddler might like feeling like a big kid with their own pop.
Best Baby Teethers Compared
The table below compares only the recommended products on this page. A low or high Price means it is low or high compared to the other products listed. The Popularity Score reflects how often readers click on and buy the product. The Quality Score is our assessment of the overall performance and satisfaction with the product compared to others in the table.
How We Selected the Best Baby Teethers
Safety and cleaning
I rejected several toys that had many complaints about parts breaking off. None of the above options, however, are completely “break-proof.” You should carefully watch while your baby uses these teethers, and inspect them regularly.
Teethers that were easy to clean in the dishwasher or sterilizer ranked high on my list. Busy moms (and dads) don’t want to hand wash everything their baby uses.
Engaging and fun for baby
Every baby has their own preferences and interests, but I chose teethers that I thought most infants would enjoy. Toys with a variety of chewing surfaces or multiple functions were more likely to make it onto the list.
Although some of these products are marketed for use in newborns, they should not be used until your baby shows true signs of teething. Consistent drooling and gnawing on the hands typically develops after three months old, and discomfort does not occur until around six months.
Natural materials
Many teethers on the market today are made of silicone, but I also included options made from wood and rubber. Unless specifically labelled “BPA-free, you may want to avoid plastic teethers (source).
FAQs – Baby Teethers
Is it OK to give teethers to babies?
Yes, giving your baby or toddler something cold or firm to chew on is advised by the American Academy of Pediatrics (source). Just be sure to choose an object that is too big to be swallowed, and doesn’t have small pieces that could break off.
It is also important to regularly disinfect teething toys.
Also, make sure you examine teethers for signs of wear and tear regularly. As with any toy, it is best to supervise your infant when using these products.
Beaded teething necklaces or bracelets are NOT recommended due to safety concerns. If the cord breaks, the loose beads become choking hazards (source). Necklaces may also cause an unintended strangulation injury. Although there has been much talk in the media regarding amber beads, there is no scientific proof that they reduce gum swelling (source).
What are pediatrician recommendations for teething?
The AAP has several other recommendations for getting through teething phases.
They recommend wiping drool regularly to prevent rashes on the face. Bibs help to reduce rashes that could develop on the chest and belly. Your child may also like having her gums rubbed with a clean finger.
If a teething toy is not enough to ease your baby’s pain, acetaminophen may also be used. Topical teething gels that contain benzocaine or belladonna are associated with risks for serious complications (source). Those that are free of these ingredients are not consistently effective, and, therefore, not recommended. Acetaminophen is preferred when pain medication is needed.
What are the best materials for teething toys?
Many teething toys are made from food-grade silicone, but some are made from wood or natural rubber. Most of the ones I looked at were labeled as BPA-free, but it’s a good idea to check the product information.
As long as the materials are safe, the best choice for your baby is one they will use and enjoy!
