Soothe Your Baby's Aching Gums With These Top-Notch Teething Toys
byIleana Morales Valentine
Drooling, biting, crying — a new tooth may be on its way for your baby, and the right teething toy can help soothe those tell-tale symptoms. But all teethers aren't created equal and some may even be dangerous, so it's worth doing your homework on the available options. Ahead, you'll find a comprehensive guide to the best teething toys for babies.
Materials
First things first, teether materials have come along way. To find the safest and most enjoyable option for your baby, consider the following:
Plastic: Though plastic is often used for teething toys and can be more affordable, even BPA-free plastic teethers have been shown to have potentially harmful chemicals. Because of this possible link, this list does not contain any plastic options.
Silicone: Teethers made of silicone are popular for their soft, flexible, and durable qualities. All of the silicone teethers on this list are made from food-grade silicone, but if you're seeking additional peace of mind, ones that are also EN71 or LFGB certified indicate they are made to European safety standards, which is considered the gold standard.
Wood: Wooden teethers offer another durable and safe option for teethers, especially when made from hard woods like maple or beech. Just be sure to look for high-quality options that won’t give splinters.
Shapes & Styles
Teethers come in all shapes and sizes, and your baby may prefer a certain style, so it helps to try a few kinds. Classic teethers are ring-shaped with textured areas and some may have finger-like parts to reach molars in older babies. Wearable teethers, like mittens, are helpful for early teethers who are too young to hold teethers in their hands, and teethers that moonlight as toys help keep your baby engaged.
Safety First
There are a couple of safety-related things to keep in mind with teethers. Some teething toys are listed as being freezer-safe, but frozen teethers can be too hard on baby gums, so it's recommended to refrigerate them instead for a cooling effect.Also, don't leave a baby alone with a teether because it could pose a choking hazard.
With all this in mind, below are the best teething toys for babies. Each one is highly rated on Amazon — including one with more than 9,000 reviews.
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