Ah, teething. Necessary part of a baby's development, but a hard time on parents. Teeth pushing through gums means the possibility of baby feeling discomfort or pain, and that means lots of crying. Not all babies teeth, if they're born with most teeth by chance. But of those babies that don't, how does a mom know when baby is teething? According to one doctor, "teething begins when the gums become swollen — and typically there is excessive drool. However, drooling alone is not necessarily a sign of teething." Crying can be another sign of teething, though the pairing of these two "symptoms" is what typically makes it known. When teething starts to happen, it's vital to make gums feel a bit better and make baby comfortable.
It just takes a teether. Sometimes teething can get so bad (for mom) that there's nothing else to resort to than funny and relatable memes. There are tons of natural ways to soothe baby, including massaging gums, frozen washcloths, breastfeeding, or ginger. But among the remedies, teethers can help make things much easier and are high on the list. They come in different shapes from animals to rings. And they are made from different materials such as wood, silicone, or natural rubber. What's important is that they are easier for baby to hold and come in designs that allow a comforting texture (soothe, rough, or both) that can message baby's gums.
When an adult's limbs are sore after a workout, rubbing the muscles eases the pain. That's similar to what happens with teethers and baby's gums. The difference is babies can use the teether to put it exactly where it needs to be. Give them both their relief (and mom's) by choosing one of the diverse teethers below.
Suri The Octopus & Friends Baby Teethers
Ahoy matey! Babies will be so busy teething away at these nautical teethers that their gum pain will (hopefully) fade away. "Each character has multiple sensory points and textures; designed to reach both front and back teeth; easy for babies to hold and manipulate."
Suri The Octopus & Friends Baby Teethers ($13, Amazon)
Superfood Teething Toy
Get baby to chew on greens early, well, sort of. These super cute Superfood teethers are shaped like real veggies. Why not have them associate healthy with relief early?
Superfood Teething Toy ($18, Uncommon Goods)
Chewbeads Brooklyn Teether
Go the pastel way with this Chewbeads Brooklyn Teether. Comes with different textures and can be attached to diaper bag or put in the freezer.
chewbeads Brooklyn Teether ($15, BuyBuyBaby)
Infantino Go Gaga! Squeeze & Teethe Fox
The Squeeze & Teethe Fox is made of natural rubber and has different surfaces for baby to gnaw on. Makes a fun sound when squeezed. Chewy and makes a fun sound? Sign baby up.
Infantino Go Gaga! Squeeze & Teethe Fox ($13, Target)
Elephant Teether
Teethers are great, but they're even better when they look like animals. That's how we feel anyway. This elephant teether has multiple surface textures to help soothe sore gums. And breath easy mama: It's BPA-free.
Elephant Teether ($8, Amazon)
Innobaby Teethin' Smart EZ Grip Berry Teether & Rattle
Baby will get the gum message of a little lifetime with this Grip Berry Teether. Its flower shape allows for coverage in all crevices of the mouth.
Innobaby Teethin' Smart EZ Grip Berry Teether & Rattle ($7, BuyBuyBaby)
Bambeado Dibly the Dino-Sore-No-More Baby Teether
The cool part about this dino is that he works as a teether and toy, specifically a tbath time. It a "single molded product," so there won't be any "cracks or joins for bacteria to accumulate."
Bambeado Dibly the Dino-Sore-No-More Baby Teether ($13, Walmart)
Nuby Bug-A-Loop Teether
Baby will never get bored with this teether. It comes in different, bright colors, and little "bug" charms in between for changing textures.
Nuby Bug-A-Loop Teether ($5, Amazon)
Infantino Go Gaga! Activity Teether
Is this a toy or a teether? This activity teether keeps baby entertained while also working to relieve those teething gums. This one specifically comes with soft textured corners for when gums are too sore for harder surfaces.
Infantino Go Gaga! Activity Teether ($5, Target)
Baby Banana Infant Training Toothbrush and Teether
Who would have thought a best-selling teether would be a banana? But here we are. The BPA-free banana features "soft silicone bristles to gently massage sore teething gums." Bonus: "A-peel-ing handles are easy for little hands to hold."
Baby Banana Infant Training Toothbrush and Teether ($8, Amazon)
The Teething Egg Teether
The teething egg makes a soothing shape for alleviating all parts of baby's mouth, both top and bottom gums. It can be clipped onto clothes so it isn't thrown from the stroller.
The Teething Egg Teether ($20, BuyBuyBaby)
Silli Chews Vanilla Donut Teether
This teether is in the shape of a donut. Need we say more? OK, just in case: It's BPA, PVC, phthalate, lead free, dishwasher safe and can be put in the freezer.
Silli Chews Vanilla Donut Teether ($12, Target)
Nuby IcyBite Keys Teether
Babies love keys, so why not give them their own set? The Nuby IcyBite teether comes filled with "pûrICE Gel" to stay cooler longer.
Nuby IcyBite Keys Teether ($4, Walmart)
Cookie Teether with Pacifier Clip
Got milk anyone? Baby does, and now baby also can have this cookie teether that comes with a clip as well. From the description: "There are knots in between the beads, no parts to break off. Zero choking hazard."
Cookie Teether with Pacifier Clip ($16, Amazon)
Sophie la girafe So' Pure Teether
Sophie the Giraffe is a teething classic. It's made of 100% natural rubber with two different texture surfaces.
Sophie la girafe So' Pure Teether ($18, BuyBuyBaby)
LouLou Lollipop Trinity Silicone and Wood Teether
If a high-end teether was a thing, this LouLou Lollilop would be it. It's "crafted from the highest quality food-grade silicone and birch wood coated in organic olive oil and beeswax."
LouLou Lollipop Trinity Silicone and Wood Teether ($30, Pottery Barn Kids)
Itzy Ritzy Teething Mitt Fox
Teethers aren't just ring-shaped. They can be "mitts" too like this one from Itzy Ritzy. It goes on baby's fist to provide something to chew on that isn't a baby's own little fingers.
Itzy Ritzy Teething Mitt Fox ($9, Target)
Buzzy Bee Multi-Textured Teether
Buzz, buzz. The bee can't talk but, if it could it would probably say that the teether features lots of different textured surfaces to soothe gums and keep baby preoccupied. Made from food-grade silicone.
Buzzy Bee Multi-Textured Teether ($6, Amazon)
Skip Hop E&M Cool Soothing Teether
A good fit when babies hold it is one part of this teether's design that moms say they like. It features a circle insert that can fit inside of the hedgehog shape or out of it to keep baby busy.
Skip Hop E&M Cool Soothing Teether ($7, Target)
ZoLi Bunny Dual Nub Teether
The nub teether's bunny ear design (with dual-textured ends) gives baby double the options for gum relief. The ergonomic shape ensures a safe and strong grip.
ZoLi Bunny Dual Nub Teether ($11, Amazon)
*Psst: if you choose to purchase an item from this post, CafeMom.com may receive a small cut. Each item and price is up to date at the time of publication; however, an item may be sold out or the price may be different at a later date.
