Teething can be a miserable time for your little one, leading to irritation, discomfort, and sleepless nights for everyone. As much as we wish there was a quick-fix, there isn’t. However, making sure you’re well-equipped with a trusty teether or two can certainly ease the situation and help your baby to feel more content. From cute toys to classic ring-shaped products like the one you probably used as a kid, the world of teethers is vast.
There are even ones with rattles and parts that you can freeze for extra comfort! To help you out, we’ve created a straightforward buying guide covering all the essential info you need to know. Then, we’ll show you the best teethers available to buy right now on Amazon, John Lewis, and Argos. Moreover, we have partnered with paediatrician Dr Jonathan Henderson for reviewing and fact-checking the article so that we can deliver you the best information.
Dr Jonathan Henderson is a consultant paediatrician who practices for the NHS and his award-winning private practice. His medical qualifications (MB, BAO and BCh) were all completed at Queen's University Belfast in 2007. He then obtained his membership with the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health in 2012 and later became a college fellow in 2019. In addtion to his clinical work, he contributes to e-learning programmes and teaches paediatrics internationally to other healthcare professionals. Dr Henderson, who is on the speciality register of the General Medical Council, has a keen interest in promoting quality improvement in paediatrics and has presented work both regionally and nationally.
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Dr Jonathan Henderson is a consultant paediatrician practising for the NHS, as well as privately. His medical qualifications (MB, BAO and BCh) were all completed at Queen's University Belfast in 2007.
He then obtained his membership with the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health in 2012. In addition to his clinical work, he contributes to e-learning programmes and teaches paediatrics internationally to other healthcare professionals. Check out more about him on his website.
When we say classic, we mean a teether that's typically in the shape of a ring or a figure of eight. This type of teether tends to feature different textures and bright colours. It may also come with extra attachments that provide sensory stimulation, like a rattle.
The classic teething toy tends to be low in price and available pretty much everywhere. The only downside is that it can be a bit of a hassle to clean if the toy has several attachments.
Toy-shaped teethers are exactly what they say on the tin! The shape of this toy is often more engaging than that of a classic one. Popular designs include animals like monkeys, lions, or giraffes, that your little one will enjoy playing with as well as chewing on.
However, due to the design element, these are normally a little more expensive than classic teethers. We're sure you'll agree though that it's worth paying more for a moment of peace and quiet!
The texture of a teether is what helps to soothe your baby's gums, and some parents say that it can even encourage teeth to come through more quickly. So, essentially, this is the star feature of a teething product!
As every baby is different, it can be hard to predict which type of texture they'll prefer to sink their growing teeth into. If your toddler has been through a few teethers then you'll probably know what they like, but if you have a newborn then you may be unsure which texture to pick.
Luckily, some toys come with multiple pieces in differing textures. Buying one of these ensures that your little one will be able to pick out the texture they like best and chew away to their heart's content!
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Many different materials are used when it comes to the manufacture of teethers, so to save you some time we’re only going to discuss the most common choices: plastic, silicone, and rubber. Firstly, plastic. Teethers made from this type of material are available in plenty of different shapes and sizes. Plus they’re very durable, meaning they should last your little one a while - saving you money in the long run!
Other options include silicone and rubber. These are both softer to chew than ordinary plastic and can be moulded into a variety of textures, helping to provide relief for your baby’s gums. While silicone can be put in the washing machine, rubber toys will need to be wiped clean. If you’ve been searching online for teethers, you’ll probably have seen the term BPA-free come up. This is because there have been studies that link this chemical to health concerns.
However, it’s worth pointing out that the EFSA (European Food Safety Authority) has ruled that the BPA is safe for use in very small amounts and is unlikely to cause harm if ingested. Still, as with all toys, we advise keeping an eye on your little one - just in case they do manage to rip a part off and attempt to eat it!
We also recommend checking eco-friendly wooden teethers out there. Not only do they last longer from wear and tear, but they are also organic and chemical-free compared to plastic ones.
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Finally, if your little one seems to struggle with particularly bad inflammation on their gums, then a teether with cooling properties will be even more soothing on the sore area.
A teether that can be cooled usually contains sterilised water or a special gel under the surface. It can then be popped into the fridge or freezer where it'll cool down totally, ready for when your little one has a teething episode. Some parents swear by teethers with this added quality, stating that it really helps to comfort their baby.
£4.70
Here's another product from Nuby that's even better than the last one! This is the top-selling, top-rated, and top-reviewed product on Amazon when it comes to teethers. We believe this shows the confidence that parents up and down the country have in this wonderfully-crafted accessory.
Little hands will find this product easy to hold and the variety of textured surfaces will aid in the growth of new teeth. Furthermore, this toy is refrigerator-friendly and uses PureIce Gel to stay cooler for longer. With all of these fantastic features, it just had to be our top pick!
£9.99
This is probably the quirkiest looker of the lot - who doesn't love a green monkey? This tiny teether from Matchstick Monkey is incredibly affordable, plus it has loads of superb qualities that will please both you and your child.
Our favourite part is the set of little bumps on the back of the monkey's head, where you can apply teething gels or granules that help your baby to chew through their discomfort. We also love that this item is suitable for use with dishwashers, refrigerators, and freezers.
£14.99
This intriguing piece of kit was created by Jodine Boothby, who realised that her child had started teething too early to use traditional toys. As a result, her little one was chewing on his hands and making the situation even worse!
Super-mum Jodine decided to invent this wonderful, intuitive teething mitten, which doesn't need to be held by your baby. There are several different kinds of textures on the glove, and one part can be removed and placed in the refrigerator to cool. Best of all, the whole thing is machine-washable too!
£21.70
With loads of mesmerising multicoloured loops that are crafted from BPA-free plastic, this teether provides endless possibilities for your little one to grab hold of and sink their teeth into.
This product can be refrigerated for increased comfort during particularly painful periods, which is always handy. In addition, the cube space in the middle features a rattle that can help to distract babies from their discomfort. We imagine the noise might not be as much fun for you though!
£10.30
Remaining unchanged since the 1960s, this product from Sophia La Girafe is one of the best-loved teethers around. The toy is adorable without being garish, unlike many modern cartoon-style designs.
Additionally, this teether is made from 100% natural rubber and food-grade colouring, so you don't have to worry what your little one is stuffing into their mouth. With its delightfully chewy limbs, we're sure there'll be a lot of nibbling!
£3.40
US-based brand Nuby is well-known in the industry for making some of the most reliable teethers out there. This is thanks to their insistence on using durable materials that exceed government safety standards. And, of course, little ones love the funky design!
With a variety of textures, made from both silicone and fabric, this teether will encourage your baby to explore their senses whilst soothing their gums. Sadly though, this teether is quite big and will require your baby to have decent motor skills before they can truly enjoy it.
£10.99
This teether from Cheeky Chompers is basically a Jack of all trades, featuring a variety of textures, a crinkly fabric ear, a shaker, and a rattle. There's even something to keep parents happy too - a handle that can be attached to a pushchair or cot, so you won't ever lose this product!
This cheerful lion teether is made from BPA-free silicone as well as machine-washable fabrics. Just make sure you check the recommended temperature when it comes to washing, as you don't want to shrink your baby's new best friend!
£4.00
This teether from Munchkin is an absolute classic. It has five exciting textures that'll encourage gnawing and will in turn provide respite for your baby. Plus, it's just the right size for tiny hands!
In addition to providing teething relief, this product has a rattle that'll entertain your baby for hours. The material, however, is rather tough so you should supervise them while they play in case they hurt themselves or get all chewed out!
£3.99
This teething option from Tommee Tippee is neither a classic shape nor a toy. Instead, the traditional dummy shape has been utilised, making this a brilliant option for little ones who prefer to just chew without having to hold onto anything.
This two-pack is great value for money, made from BPA-free materials, and can be refrigerated if needed. However, they are quite big, so won't be suitable for younger babies.
£3.99
First up in our list of teething treats is this offering from Baby Einstein. The "teether-pillar" features a number of different textures, and it even has rattling parts which will help develop motor skills as well as keeping your little one entertained. It can also be filled with water and popped into the fridge if you require its cooling properties.
Some parents may want to avoid this product though, as the brand doesn't make it clear whether the material used is BPA-free, leading us to believe that it probably isn't.
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