Of the many joys to be experienced in a baby’s first year, it’s a rare parent who’d list teething amongst them!
While there’s no getting around dealing with teething, choosing the right teething toys can make the experience a little less painful for both you and your baby.
It’s natural to be concerned about making a great pick — after all, this is something that will be going into your baby’s mouth — so we’ve investigated 10 different options to help you find the best teething toy for your baby.
In this article:
Is it important to use teething toys for babies?
While it’s not technically essential to use a teething toy, parents know the drill. Teething babies will find something to chew on, and if you can redirect them to something healthy and hygienic that offers them some legitimate comfort, that’s a big win. Wondering why teething toys are a good option?
- They’re designed to promote oral health: Unlike other objects your baby might try to gum on, teething toys are designed to gently soothe and stimulate their sore gums without breaking their delicate skin. They’re also easy to sanitize, protecting baby from bacteria and germs.
- They’re made of materials that are safe for your baby: When you give your baby a quality teething toy, you can feel confident that the material is safe for them to put into their mouth and isn’t treated with chemicals. Their other toys aren’t made for biting, and toys like plastic stacking rings, that look like teethers, may not be safe.
- They’re just the right size for baby: The best teething toys are designed to be easy for babies to grab and hold. They’re also too big to be a choking hazard, a big concern when babies start reaching for things to put in their mouths.
How can I make sure that the teething toys I’m giving my baby are safe?
Safety is always our first priority, which means being sure that toys and gear are safe before they come anywhere near our kids. When it comes to teething toys, there are two major factors that determine whether a pick is safe: the material it’s made of and how big it is.
Material: Since a teething toy goes into your baby’s mouth, it goes without saying that it must be non-toxic. That means avoiding dangerous materials like BPA as well as Phthalates, which are usually found in PVC. These chemicals are linked to the development of asthma and allergies and may cause endocrine and neurobehavioral developmental issues.
Size: It’s important that teething toys be larger than your baby’s mouth because this makes the toy impossible for them to choke on. Any toy, teething or otherwise, that doesn’t fit this criteria should be considered a choking hazard, and not safe for children under three.
What are some remedies I can use to help my baby with teething?
Of course, teething toys are far from the only remedy to soothe sore gums. It’s not exactly a new problem, so spates of “age-old” home remedies get tossed around a lot.
Not all of these are a good idea, so save your good whiskey for after bedtime and check out some teething remedies that really work!
- Gently massage your baby’s gums: With either clean hands or a wet washcloth or gauze pad, use one finger to gently apply pressure to your baby’s gums. It can help ease their pain a bit.
- Use pain relief: Fortunately for parents, there are trusted pain relievers available that come in safe doses for our little ones. Children’s Tylenol or Motrin are good picks, but let your pediatrician make the final call. Do not give your little one any medication, including aspirins, without checking with your child’s doctor.
- Freeze a washcloth: A simple washcloth can offer a lot of comfort to a teething baby. Wet a clean washcloth and ring it out thoroughly, then fold it up into a square and put it into a plastic zipper bag. Freeze it for a few hours, then remove it and let your baby knaw on it. Make sure you wash the washcloth between each use to remove bacteria and debris.
One remedy to avoid? Teething tablets, some of which contain belladonna, a plant that’s not safe for babies — or anyone, for that matter – to consume. It’s also known as nightshade, the pretty, but dangerous, berry your parents and camp counselors reminded you repeatedly to never, ever eat. Also do not use numbing products on your baby’s gums. They can be extremely unsafe and can affect your child’s ability to swallow.
Our picks of the best teething toys
Editors choice
Our opinion
Material: Silicone
Color: Blue
Soft or hard: Soft
Special features: Comes with hygienic case
Theme: Fish shaped
Dishwasher safe: Yes
Hygiene is a major concern when it comes to teething toys. Shoving it into the pocket of your diaper bag doesn’t always provide reassuring results, so a hygienic carry-case, like that featured with the the Nuby Silicone Teethe-EEZ, (check price on Amazon) makes sure your baby’s teether stays clean when you’re on the go.
This soft silicone teething toy has multiple surfaces, including bristles, which are ideal for massaging, stimulating and soothing your baby’s sore gums as teeth are coming through. It’s free of dangerous BPA and safe for babies over three months, plus the cute fish-shaped toy is easy for them to grasp.
What we love
- It comes with a hygienic carrying case, which is great for keeping their teething toy clean when you’re on the move
- It’s made of soft silicone with multiple teething surfaces, so it offers comfort, is safe, and can be cleaned easily in the dishwasher
Watch for
- It’s a little bit on the large side compared with some teething toys, so some three-month-olds may not be ready to grasp it
- Translucent silicone toys may become cloudy after repeated runs through the dishwasher
Upgrade choice
Our opinion
Material: Rubber
Color: White and brown
Soft or hard: Soft
Special features: Made from natural rubber
Theme: Giraffe
Dishwasher safe: No
Animal toys are classic cute for babies, and this simple ring has both quality and a sweet vintage touch. The Sophie La Girafe So Pure Teether (check price on Amazon) is made of 100% natural rubber and is flanked by two rings with unique teething surfaces to comfort your baby.
It’s a soft teether that’s easier for them to grasp, thanks to its figure 8 shape, and the texture versatility lets babies massage and stimulate their gums in different ways, depending on how they’re feeling.
What we love
- It’s made of natural rubber and food grade paints, so it’s totally safe for your baby
- There are two teething textures available, giving them different options to soothe their gums
Watch for
- Rubber doesn’t hold up well in the dishwasher, so this pick should only be hand washed
- Two teething surfaces are better than one, but it’s less likely to stay interesting to your baby than more dynamic teething toys
Best budget buy
Our opinion
Material: Terry cloth, satin, plastic
Color: Multi-color pink, green, blue, orange, yellow
Soft or hard: Both
Special features: Doubles as a blanket
Theme: Star
Dishwasher safe: No
Being a parent sometimes means amassing a wealth of baby blankets, the origins of some of which you’re no longer sure of. Any pick in that collection that does more than swaddle is a standout, and The First Years Star Teething Blanket (check price on Amazon) wins here with a budget-friendly price that features a cute, friendly face and plenty of opportunities for teething comfort.
There’s a textured silicone teething area as well as satiny, terry-cloth, and textured areas on the five-pointed blanket, which is perfect for tummy time. There’s an attached loop that makes transporting easy, plus one point squeaks when pressed for even more sensory interaction.
What we love
- It's a great tummy time blanket, because it offers safe teething opportunities plus sensory stimulation
- It's easy to transport thanks to an attached loop which can fasten easily to your diaper bag, but it's also not bulky, so it could be folded and put inside without a struggle
Watch for
- It may be a bit large for smaller babies, and is better as they become a little more mobile
- Two teething surfaces are better than one, but it’s less likely to stay interesting to your baby than more dynamic teething toys
Best sensory teether
Our opinion
Material: Plastic
Color: Multi-color purple, blue, green, orange, and red
Soft or hard: Soft
Special features: Center cube features a fun rattle
Theme: None/sensory stimulation
Dishwasher safe: No
Sensory toys are fantastic for babies in their first year. They’re busy learning how to interact with their environment, and toys that encourage motor skill development through movement and touch are ideal.
The Manhattan Rattle & Sensory Teether Toy (check price on Amazon) features an easy-to-grasp jumble of soft, colorful teething tubes made of BPA-free plastic. In the center, they’re connected by a cube, which is also a rattle that encourages baby to move and shake the toy.
It encourages two-handed play, an important part of motor development for infants, and the loops keep babies exploring the toy as they teethe. The soft plastic tubes here don’t hold up to dishwasher heat, so stick to hand washing for this pick.
What we love
- The cube that connects the tubes is also a rattle, which encourages babies to explore the toy
- There are two teething textures available to baby, which gives them different options for soothing
Watch for
- It needs to be hand washed, and there are a lot of nooks and crannies to get into in order to make sure it’s thoroughly clean
- The tubes aren’t as soft as silicone teething toys, which some babies find more comforting
Best wooden teether
Our opinion
Material: Maple
Color: Natural wood
Soft or hard: Hard
Special features: All natural, made from sustainably sourced wood
Theme: None
Dishwasher safe: No
As we’ve noted, the struggles of parents to comfort their teething babies are never-ending. The Maple Wooden Teething Toys (check price on Amazon) have been around for a long time, but have experienced a resurgence in popularity after fears about the effects of certain plastics and chemicals on children came to light.
This pair of 100% sustainably sourced rock maple teething rings features a non-toxic, chemical-free finish. They’re thoroughly sanded, with absolutely no danger of splinters. One thing we love about wooden teethers like this is how easy they are to hand-wash.
Although you can’t run them through the dishwasher, they’re smooth and simple to clean, and not debris magnets, as silicone teethers can often be.
Best teething rings
Our opinion
Material: Plastic, cloth
Color: Multi-color red, green, blue, yellow and orange
Soft or hard: Both
Special features: Two-pack, crinkling fabric for sensory stimulation
Theme: None
Dishwasher safe: No
Bright colors and sensory stimulation won’t make teething easier on your baby, but they can provide a productive distraction as they gum their way through the pain. Nuby scores again with a two-pack of Wacky Teething Rings (check price on Amazon) that feature multiple surfaces, including dual crinkly cloth tags, that are fun for your baby to grab and bite.
The combination of soft and hard surfaces is ideal during teething, since their level of pain may determine the way they feel best while soothing. These BPA-free rainbow rings are great for babies over three months, offering just the right balance of size and stimulation.
What we love
- There’s multiple hard and soft surfaces for baby to chew on; ideal for a teething toy
- It offers sensory stimulation to baby through bright colors, shapes, textures and sounds
Watch for
- It requires hand washing, and the cloth portions of the toy require air drying and may take longer to dry
Best training toothbrush
Our opinion
Material: Silicone
Color: Yellow and beige
Soft or hard: Soft
Special features: Doubles as baby’s first toothbrush
Theme: Banana
Dishwater safe: Yes
Once they’ve got teeth, they’ve gotta brush ’em – but first things first. The Baby Banana Toothbrush and Teether (check price on Amazon) is made from 100% food-grade silicone, which means it can be run through the dishwasher or tossed in the freezer.
The soft bristles featured on this toy offer soothing massage while baby is teething, and once teeth have erupted, it transitions into baby’s first toothbrush. It’s both comforting and cute, with a shape that’s easy for your baby to grasp, and stays useful, making it a great buy.
What we love
- It’s made of 100% food grade silicone, so it can be either frozen or washed in the dishwasher
- During and after teething, the toy transitions into your baby's first soft-bristled toothbrush
Watch for
- While it can be frozen, it doesn’t hold cool temperatures as long as gel toys designed to offer continued coolness
- The grasping openings are a bit large, which some younger babies may struggle with
Best travel teether
Our opinion
Material: Silicone, cloth
Color: Grey and blue
Soft or hard: Soft
Special features: Worn like a mitten
Theme: Forest animals
Dishwasher safe: No
If you’ve ever handed your baby a toy while driving, only to see it on the floor in your rearview by the time you’ve turned your head around, you can appreciate why the Nuby Teething Mitten (check price on Walmart) is a travel lifesaver for moms of teething babies.
It’s a mitten that fastens comfortably to their wrist, covering their hand and providing a silicone teething surface to gum on that won’t come off, or get lost or dropped.
It also prevents babies from scratching themselves and is flexible enough that they won’t be uncomfortable. The mitten can be worn on baby’s left or right hand, so observing and using the one they tend to chew on more will help them grasp the concept a bit more quickly.
What we love
- It’s made of 100% food grade silicone, so can be both frozen or washed in the dishwasher
- It’s not dishwasher safe, but it IS machine washable, which is equally convenient
Watch for
- Make sure the Velcro straps are fastened flush against each other, as babies may find them scratchy when they’re not
- The silicone area on the mitten is a bit small, so as they grow, it may be less satisfying
Best freezable teether
Our opinion
Material: Plastic, non-toxic gel
Color: Rainbow
Soft or hard: Both
Special features: Features cooling gel that can be frozen
Theme: Keys
Dishwasher safe: No
The instant relief of something cold on something sore is incomparable, so it’s no wonder babies flip for the Nuby Ice Gel Teether Keys (check price on Target).
They’re filled with Nuby’s patented PurICE gel, designed to get cold and stay cold while also being totally non-toxic. It would be really difficult for them to break through these bad boys with no chompers, but even if they did, parents can rest assured they’d be just fine.
There are multiple textures and teething surfaces both soft and hard, which combines with the freezability of this pick to make it one of the most versatile on our list.
What we love
- It can be frozen to offer extra comfort to baby, and the gel is non-toxic, so they can’t be harmed in the unlikely event of leakage
- There are multiple soft and hard teething surfaces, ideal for baby’s comfort
Watch for
- Because of the gel present in this pick, it may feel heavier and harder to lift for smaller babies
- They don’t hold up to high heat well, so hand wash this toy only
Best for 3-month-olds
Our opinion
Material: Silicone
Color: Rainbow
Soft or hard: Soft
Special features: Great for sensory stimulation
Theme: None
Dishwasher safe: Yes
Colorful, stimulating toys are perfect for encouraging babies to explore. There’s lots of shapes and colors to see on this BPA-free rainbow Teething & Sensory Chew Toy (check price on Walmart) from Blue Rabbit Co. It features star and circle charms as well as silicone beads with different shapes and surfaces to offer lots of variety to babies while teething.
It’s super soft and easy to clean, and the beads can be turned and moved to encourage small motor development. The soothing, massaging beads of the textured toy offer versatile comfort to teething babies, and the sensory stimulation keeps them coming back to play.
What we love
- The beads have different shapes and surface textures, great for baby’s comfort
- It offers both sensory stimulation and motor skill development opportunities through motion and color
Watch for
- The beads are strung on a thick, sturdy cord, but if it were to break, the beads could become a choking hazard
And our favorite teething toy is…
Simplicity often wins the day when it comes to those things our babies use most frequently. The Nuby Silicone Teethe-EEZ Teether (check price on Amazon) is budget-friendly, durable, and offers baby soothing, massaging comfort through its soft silicone bristles.
Not only is it super easy to clean, but also comes with a hygienic carry-case, so it stays extra safe and clean no matter where it gets stashed — just the kind of versatility we look for in baby gear.
