Soothe Your Tot’s Sore Gums With the Best Teething Toys
Buying Guide: Teething Toy
Teething is a difficult stage for newborns, causing restlessness, extra drooling, flushed cheeks, and painful gums. A nice teething toy is exactly what your baby needs to alleviate discomfort. While different teething toys are available, how do you know which one is right for your tot? For new parents especially, this may be an overwhelming experience. But don’t worry! We’ve put together this detailed buying guide with all the essential information to help you choose the perfect teething toy for your baby.
What Are the Benefits of a Teething Toy?
Relieve pain
Pediatricians believe that 10 to 15% of infants feel severe pain and discomfort when their teeth grow. Babies start sucking everything that touches their hands to reduce their discomfort. Teething toys help newborns feel less pain and make the whole teething process much more bearable and smoother.
A baby begins to feel calmer and more at ease when they chew on a teething toy. You can also give a teething toy to calm down your cranky, hungry baby because it serves as a temporary distraction, allowing you to make your baby’s meal while keeping your child busy.
Improve motor skills
As babies hold and put the teething toy in their mouths they improve their coordination. Teething toys are excellent to develop a baby’s motor skills and hand-eye coordination.
Helps with sensory development
Your baby’s teeth will grow more quickly if you give them teething toys to chew on. Teething toys are available in a variety of colors, styles, and sizes, so you can choose one according to your baby’s needs. To soothe your baby’s gums, some parents pick teething toys that they can put in the refrigerator for cooling effect to minimize the pain, which also helps with sensory development.
Teething toys stimulate different muscles in your tot’s mouth and prepare them to receive semi-liquid or solid food. When your baby puts a teething toy in their mouth, it helps them to suppress their gag reflex, which ultimately helps them learn to take and chew solid food.
What Are the Types of Teething Toys?
Rattling teething toys
These teething toys produce rattling sounds to amuse your baby. Babies who love hearing different sounds really enjoy using teething rattles. Interestingly, some babies may focus more on the rattling aspect than the teething aspect of toys.
Teething rings
Teething rings are basic hoops of materials like silicone, plastic, wood, or rubber. These are the simplest teething toys available on the market and are a great choice if you’re searching for a teething toy with a minimalist design that has no frills.
Cooling teething toys
These toys have a cooling gel or liquid and are much more relaxing for sore gums if you put them in the refrigerator or freezer. Because there is a possibility that your baby could break the outer layer causing the contents to leak into their mouth, we don’t advise using teething toys that have anything other than sterilized water inside.
Soft teething toys
These teething toys combine a soft toy or blankie with a teether. A soft teething toy’s body is made of fabric, but it also contains some solid attachments or bits that your baby can chew on. Babies who typically like soft toys over plastic or wooden toys tend to prefer these types of teethers.
Mitten teething toys
Babies can chew on bumpy rubber pieces on teething mittens to ease the discomfort of their gums. Teething mittens are for babies who prefer to chew their hands despite having a variety of different teething toys.
Necklace teething toys
The common material for this type of teething toy is amber, wood, or silicone. Some teething necklaces are for the child to wear and some are for their caregivers to wear. Fans of teething necklaces, particularly amber ones, say that when their baby chews on the beads a natural analgesic succinic is released to ease their discomfort and pain.
Food teething toys
The typical food teething toy is a mesh or silicone bag with several tiny holes which you fill with food for your baby to chew on. The majority of food teething toys also feature a handle, making them simple for your baby to hold and put in their mouth. For newborns and toddlers with sore gums, filling the teething toys with frozen fruit might be a terrific alternative.
Factors To Consider When Buying Teething Toys
Safety
Every parent’s top priority is their child’s safety and protection. Even though all teething toys must satisfy the safety regulations, you may want to take the following into consideration to ensure the teething toy you purchase is safe for your infant:
- Is there anything on the toy that your baby might ingest that could lead to a choking hazard?
- Does the toy have paint on it, and if so, is it food-grade and safe for children?
- Is the toy soft enough to not hurt your child’s mouth?
- Is there anything pointy or sharp on the toy?
- Does the toy include any hazardous substances?
Material
Because your baby will chew on the teether all the time, you should prioritize quality over quantity when shopping for baby teething toys. Nowadays, you can get a wide variety of teething toys in whatever shape and material you like, but it’s important to bear in mind that they need to be safe enough for your infant to put in their mouth. Experts advise staying away from harmful substances like BPA, lead, phthalates, toxic metals, arsenic, and other harmful compounds. Instead, choose safer solutions like hardwood, food-grade silicon, and BPA-free teething toys.
Freezer safe
Some teething toys are also freezer safe, allowing you to put them in the freezer for a cooling relief. If you choose freezer-safe teething toys, be careful not to over-freeze them because this might harm your baby’s sensitive and delicate gums. When choosing the ideal teething toy, pick one that your child can easily put in their mouth. It should also have texture and spikes at a user-friendly angle so your baby won’t have to struggle while chewing on it.
Size
Pick a teething toy that is manageable for your infant. It shouldn’t be so small that your child can put the whole toy in their mouth and it shouldn’t be too big to fit in their little hands. Some large teething toys aren’t appropriate for infants because they require two hands to lift. The teething toy you’re considering buying should come with information about its dimensions and weight on the packaging or in the product description so you can get an idea of if it’s appropriate for your child or not.
Recommended age
Before choosing a product, you should look at the recommended age. It’s essential to follow the age requirement since these guidelines are for your baby’s protection. Many teething toys are ideal to use from birth, however, some are ideal for use after three or six months of age.
What Are the Materials Used To Make Teething Toys?
Plastic
Although plastic teething toys are affordable and sturdy, we suggest you look for BPA-free alternatives.
Natural rubber
Choose natural rubber if you’re looking for a teething toy made of an organic substance with some flexibility. Keep in mind that a baby with a latex allergy should not use a rubber teething toy.
Silicone
A hypoallergenic substitute for natural rubber is silicone. If you are worried about giving your infant a latex teething toy, consider a silicone one instead.
Wood
If you’re searching for an all-natural, allergy-friendly solution, a wood teething toy is a perfect choice. Keep in mind that wood teething toys are more difficult to disinfect.
Tips for Buying Teething Toys
- Ensure the teething toy you select for your child is durable. Keep in mind that your baby shouldn’t be able to damage the teether no matter how much they chew on it.
- Pick a teething toy that your child will find interesting. You’re familiar with what your child’s interests are, so choose appropriately.
- Pick a teething toy that is simple to wash. The best teething toys are those that can go in the dishwasher. Alternatively, search for teething toys with flat surfaces that are simple to clean by hand.
- If your baby tears or damages the teething toy, replace it straight away. If you have a rubber teething toy and it gets sticky, it’s time to replace it.
The Best Teething Toy Models of 2024 in Detail
Baby Elefun Teething Toy – Best Overall
The Baby Elefun Teething Toy is the perfect companion for your little one during the teething stage.
The Baby Elefun Teething Toy is the perfect companion for your little one during the teething stage. Featuring a one-piece construction, this teething toy is made from BPA-free, food-safe silicone, so you don’t have to worry about any harmful chemical disrupting your baby’s oral development. Unlike other teethers, this teething toy has five different textures and bristles that are designed to help soothe your baby’s gums, while also satisfying your little one’s sensory needs.
This teether can withstand extreme temperatures. You can put the teether in the fridge or freezer to give your baby numbing relief, or you can sterilize it in boiling water for extra cleanliness. This teething toy has a smooth grip that makes it easy for little hands to hold on to it tightly. With an adorable elephant design, this teether will quickly become your child’s favorite. The attractive design, safe construction, and amazing durability land this teething toy on the top of our list.
Pros
- 100% food-grade silicone build
- Slip-resistant, ergonomic grip
- Easy to clean and maintain
- Ideal for babies up to 24 months
Cons
- Some babies may not like its taste
Nuby Teething Toy – Most Affordable
The Nuby Teething Toy is an affordable teether designed especially for three-month-old babies
The Nuby Teething Toy is an affordable teether designed especially for three-month-old babies. This teething toy is made from soft silicone that’s gentle enough for your baby’s gums yet durable enough for chewing sessions. The thoughtfully crafted design is the perfect size and shape to fit your baby’s hand, allowing them to chew on it from multiple angles.
This teether toy features multiple soft bristles that help to cleanse, massage, and soothe your baby’s tender gums while reaching all the way back to the molars. Plus, it has a flexible material so it’s gentle on your baby’s little hands. Available in a range of colors, this teething toy comes in a hygienic carrying case so you don’t have to worry about germs.
Pros
- BPA-free silicone construction
- Easy-to-hold fish shape
- Features textured bristles
- Comes with a convenient carrying case
Cons
- Hair easily clings to it
Smily Mia Teething Toy – Best Design
If you’re tired of picking up teething toys from the floor, you’re going to love this product from Smily Mia.
If you’re tired of picking up teething toys from the floor, you’re going to love this product from Smily Mia. Made of food-safe silicone, this teething toy mimics the shape of the breast, which helps ease your child off of breastfeeding and onto semi-solid foods. It has a smooth texture that can calm your fussy baby without poking into their sensitive gums.
With its cheerful design, this teething toy can also enhance your baby’s motor skills and hand-eye coordination, all while promoting healthy oral development. Cleaning and sanitizing this teething toy is a breeze because it’s dishwasher and freezer-safe. Featuring a hollow penguin body, this teething toy can be worn on the wrist so you don’t have to worry about losing it when you’re out and about with your baby.
Pros
- BPA-free and machine-washable
- Dishwasher and freezer-safe
- Easy-to-hold, wearable design
Cons
- Color may slightly vary from the image
Razbaby Teething Toy – Easiest To Use
The Razbaby Teething Toy is the perfect way to make that painful teething period much more bearable for your little one.
The Razbaby Teething Toy is the perfect way to make that painful teething period much more bearable for your little one. Made of food-grade silicone, this toy offers you a complete peace of mind that you aren’t giving your kid harmful chemicals like BPA, phthalates, lead, or cadmium.. With its patented bumps and colorful design, this teething toy helps improve the cognitive abilities of your baby while soothing them at the same time.
This product comes in a berry-shaped teether design with different textures on each side of the toy. One side has shallow ridges that give your baby something to grip onto and the other side has several biting points that massage their gums when they chew on it. Plus, it’s freezer safe so you can also use it for extra cool teething relief.
Pros
- One-piece construction for maximum durability
- Multipurpose design doubles as a pacifier
- Dishwasher-safe for easy cleanup
Cons
- A bit harder than other options
Vulli Teething Toy – High-end Pick
Whether your baby is having a rough teething day or you’re just looking for an adorable toy to put in the crib, the Vulli Teething Toy is an excellent choice.
Whether your baby is having a rough teething day or you’re just looking for an adorable toy to put in the crib, the Vulli Teething Toy is an excellent choice. With an adorable giraffe design, this teething toy is made of 100% natural rubber from the Hevea tree. It’s soft and pliable, but still tough enough to withstand even the roughest chewing sessions.
This teether has numerous chewable parts including ears, horns, and legs that can relieve pressure from sore gums while the squeaker inside it will keep your little one occupied. Best of all, it’s easy to clean so you don’t have to worry about germs or bacteria breeding on it and harming your baby.
Pros
- Built-in squeaker stimulates hearing
- Easy-to-clean rubber build
- Comes in an attractive animal design
Cons
- Difficult to grab for newborns
People Also Asked
A: This depends on your child's personality. A single good-quality and attractive teething toy will do the job if your little one is content to play with it every day. You may want to pick a few different types of toys if your child likes to have multiple toy choices. This ensures that your baby stays entertained. Having a backup is also a smart idea in case your baby loses or damages it.
A: To get rid of harmful bacteria, you should thoroughly scrub the teether with some basic soap and water. If the instructions state that the teething toy is dishwasher-safe, feel free to run a cycle from time to time to keep it clean. You should not boil to disinfect teething toys because not all of them are resistant to higher temperatures.
A: Most infants don't get teeth until they are six or seven months old. With that said, once their teeth come in, newborns can begin to experience the symptoms of teething as early as three or four months. Extremely complex teething toys may be challenging for small infants to grab and chew on. For small babies, simple teething toys with wide grips work perfectly.
