15 best teething toys for your baby

These best teethers will help soothe baby’s achy gums

Believe it or not, your baby was actually born with all 20 primary teeth below the gum-line, just waiting to erupt above the surface. Sorry parents, teething pain can last up to 2 years in some infants! But don’t despair, there are many ways to alleviate the discomfort and pain that usually accompanies these new pearly whites.

What should I give a teething baby?

Top 15 soothing, safe, and adorable teethers that WORK

A good teether should:
-be soft and flexible with no sharp edges. 
-be nontoxic (it’s going in the mouth and staying there!) This means it should be completely free of PVC, BPAs, phthalates, heavy metals like lead, etc. 
-be safe. CPSIA compliant teethers will be rigorously safety tested, both for materials and choking hazards.

One of the best things for a teething baby is simple counterpressure – this can come from chewing on any soft object without sharp edges. Luckily, this is a baby’s natural response to teething, and often exactly what they want to do! Silicone is a fantastic material for teethers because silicone is naturally BPA-free, PVC-free, phthalate-free, nonporous (meaning bacteria has a hard time finding a place to hide), is easy to clean, soft, and is usually dishwasher safe and freezer safe. Wood teethers and certain plastics can be great as well – especially if they have a liquid center for freezing.

Most unique teethers:

Best teethers for back teeth:

Those molars can be hard for a teething baby to reach! Here are some teethers that are recommended for reaching the achy back teeth:

Best PVC-free and BPA-free teethers

All of these teethers are made from materials that are BPA/PVC free.

Best wooden teethers for baby:

Looking for safe wooden teethers? All of these natural teethers are made from organic wood:

USA-Made teethers

Best teethers not made in China – All of these teething rings are proudly made in the USA:

Brilliant, innovative, and all around best teether

How do I know if my baby is teething?
The first teeth usually begin to erupt between 4 and 7 months old, although do not be alarmed if your child’s teeth don’t appear within this window; all children are different. Every baby experiences teething differently, although most kids exhibit irritability and signs of mild pain. Here are a few more teething symptoms to look out for:

Teething leads to drooling!
The emergence of new teeth stimulates excessive drooling.

Teething can cause a rash
The drooling that results from teething often leads to chafing, chapping, redness and rashes around the mouth and chin, sometimes referred to as a “teething rash”.

Teething babies sometimes cough more
Excess drool can also cause a baby to gag and cough This is typically not concerning as long as your baby has no other signs of cold, flu or allergies.

Teething babies love to bite!
Pressure from teeth erupting is uncomfortable, and teething babies can alleviate this pain by gumming whatever they can reach (not just teething toys, unfortunately, but also your fingers!)

Teething can make babies cry longer and more often 
While some babies hardly seem to mind getting their first teeth, others suffer from inflammation, tender gums, and overall pain – which often leads to an increase in whining or crying. First teeth and molars typically hurt the worst, although the older a child gets, the more they can handle the discomfort. Infant acetaminophen or over the counter topical applications like children’s Orajel can sometimes help to relieve this teething pain – but consult with your doctor first.

Teething causes irritability 
Pain from new baby teeth pressing on the gums (not surprisingly) can lead to extreme crabbiness, ranging from several days to weeks.

Teething can make a baby refuse to eat
Gum pain can make a baby hesitant or unwilling to feed, whether from a bottle or the breast, or solid foods. Consult with your pediatrician if this lasts more than a few days.

Teething babies wake up more at night
Teething pain often extends into the night, resulting in more restless sleep. As your baby’s teeth begin to emerge, her discomfort may disrupt her usual sleep pattern.

Teething babies sometimes pull on their ears or rub their cheeks
Gums, ears and cheeks share nerve pathways, so teething babies will sometimes pull their ears or rub their cheeks more than usual.

Teething can cause mild bleeding under the gums
A bit of blood that looks like a bluish lump can emerge. If it’s just a small amount, it’s nothing to be worried about.

Teething may cause fever and diarrhea
Doctors offer differing opinions on whether low-grade fever and diarrhea are actually teething symptoms or an indication of something else; if your baby has these symptoms, monitor them closely and always follow your gut. If you’re worried, feel free to consult your doctor.

Home Remedies for Teething:

Homemade baby teethers

DIY teethers – Best teethers you can make yourself at home:
-Throw a damp washcloth in the fridge for an hour (not the freezer, as this can get too cold for the sensitive gums!).
-Put a metal spoon in the refrigerator and give to a baby under adult supervision only  
-Freeze a small slice of banana or apple and give it to a baby that is already eating solid foods. 
-Chilled food, breast-milk, formula, or water (if your baby is already drinking water) can also be given to help numb the achy gums.

What should I NOT use for teething pain?
The ADA (American Dental Association) warns that prescription lidocaine solutions are not FDA approved. In fact, in 2014 the FDA warned against prescription of lidocaine solution for teething pain. In that year, the FDA reviewed 22 case reports describing severe negative reactions to oral lidocaine solution, including seizures, severe brain injury, heart problems, and six deaths. 
Most pediatricians advise against using amber teething necklaces, as there is no evidence to imply that they are effective.

Did you know? Once the teeth start to erupt, it’s time to start brushing baby’s teeth.

Thanks for reading our guide to the best teethers!

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