10 Best Teething Toys for Babies in 2022 (Nuby, Infantino, and More)
Is your little chomper gnawing on everything in sight? Are you looking for a fun, engaging way to massage and soothe pain from teething? We hear you, and we’re here to help! We compiled an impressive list of the very best teething toys available for infants.
Our number one pick is the Deluxe Cuddly Teether, a cute and cuddly hybrid teething toy from Infantino that features diverse textures to provide multi-sensory stimulation and effective relief for your little teether. And don’t forget to check out our comprehensive buying guide to help steer you in the right direction!
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How to Choose Teething Toys For Babies
Online shopping can leave you feeling overwhelmed by all the options for teether toys. As you begin your search, consider the information in this guide to help point you in the right direction!
Choose a Teether Style That Meets Your Baby's Needs
Most traditional teethers incorporate various bristles, studs, and grooves that can help promote infant gum health and accelerate the eruption of milk teeth (also known as baby teeth). Some options are even designed to provide the benefits of a starter toothbrush for infants whose teeth have fully erupted.
Refrigerator- or Freezer-Friendly Toys for Cold Relief
Some teething toys can be put in the refrigerator or freezer to soothe pain and discomfort! Though freezer-friendly, keeping these toys in the refrigerator is the safest option. Freezing teether toys can cause frostbite and be too hard for your baby to bite on, damaging their gums and milk teeth.
Freezer-safe teething toys are usually filled with water but can be completely solid, too. A few teethers have a detachable part that you chill and attach to a handle, that stays room-temperature so your child won't get cold hands. Some have handles with different shapes at the end to engage your baby while providing relief.
Hybrid-Style Teethers Incorporate Different Sensory Experiences
There are hybrid teethers that provide multi-sensory stimulation by combining familiar toys, like a rattle or play keys, with texturized teething surfaces. Some of these hybrid toys also feature multiple types of fabric and textures to encourage and enhance tactile exploration. Some teethers feature components that rattle or clack, adding further stimulation by sound.
Hybrid-style teethers can be a beneficial sensory resource for infants of all ages, whether they have all their teeth or those teeth have yet to grow. For instance, vibrant toys with diverse palettes and patterns help support infant eye development and visual perception.
Exposing your baby to as many different colors and textures as possible in their first year is essential in helping foster healthy visual development. Toys that have very dynamic shapes help with eye development, as well.
Ensure the Material's Durability and Safety
Product quality is often largely dependent on the type of materials used. Selecting teething toys made from safe, high-grade materials can help ensure the product’s quality and safety.
Choose Silicone for Superior Quality
Silicone is a synthetic polymer made mostly of the natural chemical element, Silicon. While it can be produced in many forms, the most common is food-grade silicone. Food-grade silicone is both hypoallergenic and bacteria-resistant, making it an ideal material for producing children’s products, especially for infants and toddlers.
While silicone is by far the most commonly used material in infant teething toys, it’s important to note that it may not be suitable for all infants. Although uncommon, some children may be sensitive or even allergic to silicone.
PVC Plastic Can Contain Harmful Chemicals
Polyvinyl Chloride (or PVC) is a synthetic polymer used in a wide range of everyday products, from household water pipes to debit and credit cards. In its flexible form, PVC is also used in a variety of children’s products and toys that contain plastic components.
PVC plastic is now a controversial material for children's products. While PVC plastic is durable and recyclable, many studies show that PVC plastic can carry harmful chemicals like phthalates and lead. Both of these hazards are disastrous for the health and brain development of infants. Destroying PVC plastic can also cancer-causing dioxins and heavy metals into the environment.
Some countries still consider it completely safe for teething infants while other countries have banned it completely. The U.S hasn't banned it nationwide, many companies across the country have reduced or phased out the use of this plastic altogether.
Select Products Made With BPA-Free Materials
Bisphenol A (or BPA) is a chemical compound used in the production of a wide variety of plastic products, from food storage containers to sports equipment. In the last decade, a great deal of research has been conducted into the effects of BPA on brain development.
These studies have shown that exposure to products containing BPA can interfere with human brain development, making products containing the chemical potentially harmful to infants, children, and expectant mothers.
While most products intended for infants and children no longer contain BPA, it is important to note that it is not a banned chemical, so some children’s items may still contain BPA. To limit your child’s exposure to potentially harmful chemicals, it’s important to ensure all products intended for infants and children are BPA-free.
Explore Product Certification for Peace of Mind
When conducting your search, researching available safety certifications can help narrow down the products that best fit the needs and preferences of both you and your child. The Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act (CPSIA) and the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) ensure the safety of many products intended for infants and toddlers.
In most cases, manufacturers are required to have children’s products tested by the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) before making them available to the public. Once a product passes this extensive testing, a manufacturer can then advertise their product as “CPSIA-Certified" or "CPSC-Certified."
It can also be beneficial to choose manufacturers that back their products with a money-back guarantee or warranty to further ensure product quality.
Make Sure it Has Clear Cleaning Instructions
It’s important to pay close attention to the manufacturer’s listed care instructions to ensure the safety and longevity of your baby’s new teether.
While some options can be conveniently cleaned in a dishwasher, others may have strict instructions that prohibit any other cleaning method than handwashing with gentle soap or sanitation by boiling.
10 Best Teething Toys For Babies Ranking
| Products | Image | Click to purchase | Popularity | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Multi-Textured Silicone Teether Nuby |  | No.1 | |
2 | Winkel Rattle Sensory Toy Manhattan Toy |  | No.2 | |
3 | Deluxe Cuddly Teether Infantino |  | No.3 | |
4 | Wacky Teething Ring Set Itzy Ritzy |  | No.4 | |
5 | Giraffe Teething Toy Set Share and Care |  | No.5 | |
6 | Soft and Flexible Teething Toy Nuby |  | No.6 | |
7 | Dancing Elephant Teething Toy FridaBaby |  | No.7 | |
8 | Teethe-Eez Teether with Bristles RazBaby |  | No.8 | |
9 | BPA-Free Elephant Teether Vulli |  | No.9 | |
10 | Cookie Teether with Clip Baby Banana |  | No.10 |
Pros:
Cons:
The Nuby Icy Gel Teether Keys is the best teething toy for cold relief. The non-toxic PurIce gel inside the keys provides a cool, soothing sensation that lasts longer than other teethers. Each key is textured for extra massaging and stimulation for erupting teeth. The ring and keys also help develop hand-to-eye coordination for infants.
Some reviewers find that this item cannot be boiled and is not dishwasher-safe, for doing so will melt the keys. They also say that it is too heavy for three-month-old infants to hold. However, many other customers find this product to be flexible, even when cooled and like that it has many vibrant colors, and the ring acts as an extra teether.
Pros:
Cons:
The Manhattan Toy Winkel Rattle and Sensory Teether Toy is the best product for visual stimulation. The vibrant tubes and eye-catching, abstract design are perfect for developing a baby's eyesight and engaging them. This toy also doubles as a rattle and can be refrigerated to provide a cooling sensation for your baby's gums. It is free of PVC plastic and BPA with a CPSIA-certification.
Several reviewers have issues with cleaning this toy since it melts in sterilizers and submerging it encourages mold growth. However, most customers say that this toy is easy to grab and hold and the bright tubes and rattle are very engaging for their little ones. Amazon also offers a red-white-and-blue color scheme for this toy.
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Cons:
Infantino's Textured Penguin Teether is the best product for tactile stimulation. The soft fabric and three different textured teethers provide an array of sensations for your baby's gums and hands. The body of the teether also has material inside that crinkles whenever the toy is squeezed. The silicone teethers are 100 percent BPA-free.
Some reviewers say that the teething ring in the center is hard to reach and that the toy is too big for their children. However, many other customers remark that their children love the crinkling noises the toy makes, its bright colors and patterns and that they love to snuggle with it. Amazon offers a penguin teether and fox teether.
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Itzy Ritzy's Silicone Teething Mitt is the best product for easy use. The colorful, textured end of the mitt is perfect for gnawing babies, while the strap keeps the mitt from falling on the floor or being lost. There's no need to go looking for a misplaced teether with this product. The mitt also makes a crinkling noise to engage your baby with auditory stimulation.
Some reviewers say that the mitt is too small and awkward to put on their babies' hands. They also point out that if not careful, babies can poke themselves with the protrusions on some of the designs. On the other hand, most parents agree that this product is of great quality, is easy to use, and is machine washable. They also love the 11 adorable designs on Amazon.
Share and CareGiraffe Teething Toy Set
Pros:
Cons:
This Vibe-eez Soothing Teether by Nuby is the best teether for soothing the gums. The vibration feature is activated by teething, creating a gentle sensation for an infant's itchy, achy gums and stimulating tooth eruption. It's easy for babies to hold and is available as a cute, brightly-colored lion or octopus. It is recommended for three-month-olds and older infants.
Several reviewers comment that the vibration feature malfunctions quickly and is hard for babies to activate. They also say that the paint tends to chip after long use. On the other hand, most customers love how soft the loops are, how easy it is to hold, and that it vibrates based on bite pressure. This product is recommended for three months and older and batteries are included.
Pros:
Cons:
Nuby's Three-Stage Teether Set is the best product for all areas of the mouth. Many teethers only work well for either the front, side, or back teeth. This set has a colorful, multi-textured ring for every part of the mouth. Stage one works for front teeth, stage two is for the sides, and stage three is for the back teeth. They are available in different colors and are refrigerator-friendly.
A few reviewers say that this product has a strong unpleasant chemical or vanilla scent and taste. They also remark that some of the toys easily collect lint. On the other hand, many parents like that there are three options for their children, the toy is soft, stays cool, and is easy to clean. A carrying case is also available to keep these teethers clean.
Pros:
Cons:
The Not-Too-Cold-to-Hold Teether for Babies by Fridababy is the best product for versatility. This two-pack of teethers has four different fridge-friendly textures and a textured handle to keep your baby's hands from getting too cold. These removable teethers can reach all areas of the mouth and are BPA-free and non-toxic.
Some customers are not fond of the fact that this product cannot be put in the freezer and have had issues with leakage. Yet, many other customers like that they can rotate the teethers in the handle to keep their children entertained and that they're easy for babies to hold. They also mention that this product is easy to clean and stays flexible even when cold.
RazBabyTeethe-Eez Teether with Bristles
Pros:
Cons:
The RazBerry Silicone Baby Teether Toy is the best product for mobility. This teether toy doubles as a pacifier and is designed to be hands-free while your baby crawls around and plays. The attached, textured ring makes it easy to hold and can be teethed on, as well. It can also be put in the refrigerator or freezer, just fill it with water for an extra cooling sensation.
Some reviewers find this product to be too big for their babies' mouths. They also say that it is too thick and not pliable enough to be chewed on. However, many reviewers like that it does not come filled with gel or water, which can be added at their discretion. They also love the trademarked Berry Bumps texture for their teething infants. It's lightweight and easy to clean.
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Cons:
Sophie the Giraffe by Vulli is the best product for natural alternatives. This toy is made from 100 percent rubber from the hevea tree and her spots are made from food dye. This is a great option for parents that prefer all-natural products for their babies. Sophie is very durable and her body parts have different textures to provide a unique sensory experience to infants.
Several reviewers mention that Sophie molds, even after following the cleaning instructions. They also note that the paint wears off after one use. However, many other customers say that this product is easy to hold and grab, the squeaker is entertaining, and that it soothes their babies well. This Sophie received many awards for its design and is often given as a gift.
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The BabyBanana Yellow Banana Teething Toothbrush is the best teether for oral hygiene. The soft silicone bristles are designed specifically for sensitive mouths and massage the gums while promoting healthy habits for your little one. The large handles make this teether easy to hold and are safe to chew on. Despite being soft, the product is durable enough to withstand rough treatment from your baby.
A few reviewers remark that hair, lint, and dust stick to this product often and that the bristles can be bitten off by voracious chewers, causing a choking hazard. However, most parents love that this product is durable and easy for babies to hold, and that it can be sterilized in boiling water. It's also dishwasher-safe. The shape and size of the product help it reach all areas of the mouth.
Looking for More Great Baby Products?
If you're looking for more high-quality products for infants, be sure to check out these great resources!
Amazon's Best Selling Teether Toys
Are you interested in more options for teether toys? Then, take a look at Amazon's best-selling list of teether toys for infants.
The descriptions of each product are referenced from content available on manufacturer, brand, and e-commerce sites.
