The best teethers for babies

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What makes a teether actually work

Teethers do three jobs: they apply pressure to sore gums, they provide cold (for swollen ones), and they give baby a safe object to mouth instead of the things you do not want them mouthing. The ones that fail at this usually fail one of these tests:

• Too soft. Gel teethers without a firm core do not push back, so they do not relieve pressure.
• Too hard. Wooden teethers without smoothed edges can bruise gums or chip teeth that are coming in.
• Too big. Anything baby cannot grip easily ends up forgotten on the floor.
• Too many parts. Beaded teethers and ones with joints trap bacteria. We do not recommend them.

What to avoid

• Amber teething necklaces. The AAP and FDA warn against them. They are a strangulation and choking hazard, and there is no evidence they help.
• Frozen teethers. Cold is fine. Frozen solid is too cold and can bruise gums. Refrigerated is the right temperature.
• Beaded silicone teethers. The strings break. The beads are a choking size for babies under 3.
• Numbing gels with benzocaine. The FDA warns against use in babies under 2 due to risk of methemoglobinemia, a serious blood condition.
• Anything that says "freezer-safe" with liquid inside. The liquid can leak if punctured.

The 6 picks

Best overall — Comotomo Silicone Baby Teether

One-piece silicone, soft enough to chew but firm enough to push back, shaped like a starfish so baby's tiny fingers find a grip easily. Dishwasher safe. No parts to come off. Works for back-molar teething when other teethers are too small.

Why it wins: every teether we tested for fit was either too small or too smooth. This one nails both at once. It is also stable in baby's mouth, so they do not poke themselves.

Best for grip practice — Sophie la Girafe

Famous for a reason. The natural rubber is firm but flexible. The legs and ears are easy for an immature hand to grip. The squeak distracts from the discomfort. Babies tend to actually want to keep it in their mouth, which is half the battle.

Caveats: it is natural rubber, so skip it if there is a latex allergy in the family. It is also not dishwasher safe. Wipe with a damp cloth. Do not boil. The hole in the bottom can grow mold if not dried fully.

Best cold relief — Nuby Ice Gel Teether

Solid gel core that holds cold for 20 minutes after a refrigerator visit. Plastic shell is BPA-free. Easy handle for baby to grip. The cold is firm but not frozen, which is the right kind of cold for sore gums.

Caveats: hand wash only. Throw it out if the gel layer ever shows a tear, because the gel inside is not edible.

Best for back molars — RaZbaby RaZberry Teether

Berry-shaped, with deep ridges that reach the back gums where 2 to 4 year molars come in. Made for the second wave of teething (12 to 30 months). One-piece, dishwasher safe.

This is the teether to add around the first birthday, not the one to buy first.

Best silicone-only for allergic babies — Mushie Pacifier Teether

Food-grade silicone, one piece. No latex, no painted parts, no wood, no plastic shell. The pacifier-style shape sits in the front of the mouth without poking the throat. Dishwasher safe.

If your baby has multiple food allergies or eczema, this is the cleanest option. Silicone is inert (it does not react), and one-piece means no glue or seams.

Best budget — Comotomo Silicone Mini

Cheaper, smaller version of the Comotomo starfish. Works for younger babies before they can grip the larger one. Two for under $15. Always have a backup. You will lose one.

Use them right

• Chill, do not freeze. 15 minutes in the fridge is enough.
• Wash daily. Most one-piece silicone teethers are dishwasher safe. Otherwise, hot soapy water and dry fully.
• Inspect weekly. Look for tears, cracks, or chewed-through spots. Throw out anything damaged.
• Tether wisely. Clip teethers to a bib, not to clothes near the neck. Never tie a teether to a string around the neck.
• Rotate. Babies bore easily. Three teethers in rotation work better than one fancy one.

When teething pain needs more than a teether

Some signs the teether alone is not cutting it: baby cannot sleep at all, baby is refusing food and drink, drool rash is bleeding, baby has a fever above 100.4°F (38°C). At that point, talk to your pediatrician. The standard relief is a weight-based dose of acetaminophen or, after 6 months, ibuprofen. Use our Tylenol dose calculator or Motrin dose calculator to get the right amount.

What about food teethers?

Once your baby is eating solids (around 6 months), frozen fruit in a mesh feeder is a real option. Frozen banana, peeled cucumber, frozen mango chunks all work. The mesh contains the food so it cannot be a choking hazard. Wash the mesh after every use.

Skip food teethers if your baby has not been cleared for that food yet, and before allergens have been introduced.

Are wooden teethers safe?

Plain, untreated maple or beech wood teethers can be safe if they are one piece (no glue), unpainted, and well-sanded. They are not dishwasher safe. They need to be wiped dry immediately and conditioned with food-grade beeswax every few months. They are also harder than silicone, which means more risk of bruising new teeth.

Our take: silicone is easier to keep clean and gentler on new teeth. Wood is fine if you like the look. Avoid painted or stained wood teethers.

The shortlist

• Start with two: Comotomo Silicone Starfish + Nuby Ice Gel.
• Add at 6 months: a mesh feeder for frozen fruit.
• Add at 12 months: RaZbaby RaZberry for back molars.
• Skip: amber necklaces, frozen-solid teethers, benzocaine gels, beaded silicone strings.