8 of the best baby teething toys for soothing sore gums

When a baby's first tiny teeth start to make an appearance, being able to chew on a teething toy can be really handy – not only to encourage teeth to come through, but also to ease the discomfort of sore gums.

Obviously you need to be confident that anything your baby puts in their mouth is completely safe for them to use, so we’ve done the research for you to find the top teething toys that are reliable, hygienic, safe and a bit of fun too.

You'll find many types of teether on the market and you might want to try a couple of options first to see which suits your baby best. There are teethers that double as toys, some that can be put in the fridge and others that help teach the importance of toothbrushing. We think there is something here for everyone.

Here are the 8 best baby teething toys. We hope they bring gummy grins all round.

1. Best overall teething toy: Matchstick Monkey Teething Toy

Price £9.99 | Buy now from Amazon

“Believe me the monkey is the only thing that has kept me sane and it looks hilarious when they're chewing.” Tried and tested by Mumsnetter avacadooo

“We've had every type of teething toy going and the matchstick moneys are the best! Easy for little hands to handle and for little mouths.” Recommended by Mumsnet user Amichelle84

"My baby was a super early teether so I feel your pain! Definitely as others said the matchstick monkey…My little one absolutely loved the monkey and it saved us with his teething.” Rated by Mumsnetter fromcitytocountry

How can anyone possibly resist this cheeky monkey? Matchstick Monkey has come to the rescue for many a Mumsnetter with a teething baby and the little chimp’s popularity shows no sign of waning.

Made from flexible food-grade silicone that can be chilled in the fridge, Matchstick Monkey's two big loops are really easy for little hands to hold and are good for chewing on too.

On the back of the monkey’s head you'll find textured bumps (a bit like tiny bristles) which you can put teething gel onto. This will allow your baby to get to the hard-to-reach molar area.

It’s a great introduction to toothbrushing too.

Pros

Can be used with teething gel

Introduces toothcare

Dishwasher-safe and can be sterilised

Ergonomic design helps to develop motor skills

Comes in a variety of bright colours to suit every taste

Cons

A little bit on the pricey side

Material

Silicone

2. Best budget teething toy: Nuby Bug-a-Loop Teether

Price £4.60 | Buy now from ASDA

“Nuby beads! But in all honesty, what one baby prefers will be different for another. It’s trial and error I’m afraid.” Recommended by Mumsnetter Mummoomoocow

This ring of various bugs, bees and beads is sure to bring a smile to even the grumpiest of teething faces.

Suitable for babies from three months, the Nuby Bug-a-Loop has lots for little hands to explore, and several different sizes and surfaces for them to get their gums around.

The loop design means it can easily be attached to lightweight buggies or car seatbelts for travel, and it’s easy for babies to grip onto as well.

Pros

Easy for little hands to grab

Approved by orthodontists

Stimulates gums

BPA-free

Cons

As with all bead-style toys, close adult supervision is required – Nuby also advises parents to immediately inspect the teether before and after each use and to throw the product away when damaged or punctured.

Wipe clean only - cannot be sterilised or put in the dishwasher

Material

Plastic

Related: The best trikes for babies and toddlers, as recommended by Mumsnetters

3. Best rubber teething toy: Sophie La Girafe Original Baby Teething Toy

Price £15.30 | Buy now from Amazon

“Sophie the giraffe […] is by far the most superior teether.” Tried and tested by Mumsnetter Pinkvoid

“Sophie the giraffe was a life saver.” Highly recommended by Mumsnetter sanityisamyth

“Sophie, the length of the leg in particular helped with back teeth.” Tried and tested by Mumsnet user TakeMe2Insanity

Before you become a parent, you'll likely never have clocked Sophie La Girafe. Once you’re a parent, she’s as ubiquitous as muslins and nappy sacks.

Soft and squishy Sophie has been getting chomped on by babies for nearly 70 years and is still selling strong today. Her slender neck is easy for babies to grasp, and her soft ears and horns are ideal for gumming on when teething pain strikes.

Recommended by dentists and paediatricians, Sophie also happens to look rather stylish and will sit nicely in any tasteful nursery – and she pops easily into your handbag too.

Pros

Made of natural materials

Big baby appeal

Doubles as a toy and companion

Cons

Can’t be sterilised or put in the dishwasher

The squeak is a bit loud

A little pricey

Material

Natural rubber and food paint

4. Best gel teething toy: Nûby Icy Bite Keys Soothing Teether

Price £4.99 | Buy now from Amazon

“The nuby icy bite keys and Sophie la girafe are the best teethers we had.” Recommended by Mumsnet user Tier500

“DD got some relief chewing on a set of toy keys that were filled with gel you could cool in the fridge.” Tried and tested by Mumsnetter Totallydefeated

Suitable for babies aged from three months, the brightly-coloured Nûby Icy Bite Keys have a range of different textured surfaces for little ones to get their chops around.

The gel-filled keys can be popped in the fridge, with the gel keeping it cooler for longer than water-filled teethers, providing some extra sweet, sweet relief for teething babies.

The keys are large enough for little hands to grasp but small enough to be popped into changing bags for when you are out and about.

You definitely don’t want to leave this particular set of keys at home.

Pros

Affordable

Refrigerator safe

Durable

Cons

Not suitable for sterilisation - although sterilised wipes can be used for cleaning

Material

Silicone

5. Best teething toy for older babies: Gummee Baby Molar Mallet Teether

Price £14.99 | Buy now from Amazon

“There's one called the molar mallet which is designed so that they can fit in their mouth for the back molar. It's for 12 months plus.” Recommended by Mumsnet user Pollyloop

“I second the Molar Mallet. it is designed so they can't put it too far in their mouth and so that if dropped it always lands the right way up.” Recommended by Mumsnetter MotherPerry

Older babies will love the Gummee Baby Molar Mallet, which reaches parts that other teethers don’t.

A protective shield ensures that your baby can’t push the teether too far into their mouth and its clever ‘wobble feature’ means that if the Molar Mallet is dropped on the floor, it will automatically stand upright. So there’s no worries about picking up any dirt or germs.

You can also use the Molar Mallet to apply teething gel or powders via the chewing head of the mallet so your little one can get pain relief exactly where needed.

Pros

Designed for older babies aged from 12 months

Easy to clean with soap and water or by steam sterilisation

Protective shield prevents gagging

Also makes a fun rattle sound

Cons

A little bit pricey

No colour choice available

Material

TPE (Thermoplastic elastomer).

6. Best multipack of teething toys: Nuby Nana and Corn Soothing Teethers

Price £7.99 | Buy now from Amazon

“The nuby corn and banana - they are brilliant” Tried and tested by Mumsnet user Huevosrotos

Nuby knows a thing or two about teethers and the varied textures make this dynamic duo ideal for massaging sore gums and troublesome toothy pegs.

The corn and banana have easy to grasp handles and are the perfect size for little hands to hold.

They are made of soft silicone and are easy peely (sorry) to clean using soapy water and, unlike other teethers on our list, they can be sterilised.

And for under a tenner for a pack of two, the Nuby Nana and Corn are great value too.

Pros

Great value

Can be sterilised

If one gets lost, you’ll have a back-up teether

Cons

No alternative designs available

Food and debris can get stuck in textured part of corn

Material

Silicone

7. Best teething glove: Gummee Glove Teething Mitten for Babies

Price £14.99 | Buy now from Amazon

“I bought a little teething glove thing off amazon. It was great, as dd wasn’t dexterous enough to hold a real teething toy but she loved chomping on this glove.” Rated by Mumsnetter IDontDrinkTea

“Teething glove worked great for me when DS started teething at about 12 weeks but wasn’t yet able to hold a chew toy.” Recommended by Mumsnet user BizzzzyBee

If your baby is constantly chewing on their hands, but doesn’t yet have the dexterity to grasp a teether, then a teething glove is the best option for you.

Here at Mumsnet, we love the Gummee Glove Teething Mitten for Babies, which can be securely attached to your little one’s hand using a hook and loop fastening.

Once in place, your baby can enjoy exploring the detachable teething ring (which can be refrigerated to provide for extra relief), bumpy teethers and black and white crinkle patch, which also helps promote good sensory development.

It comes with a handy bag, so you can pop the mitt inside for easy machine washing. The pouch is also good for hygienic transport in the changing bag too.

Pros

Easy to clean

Removable teether means glove can adapt to suit baby’s needs

Available in a range of colours

Cons

A bit pricey

Only suitable for babies up to six months

Material

100% cotton and silicone

8. Best toothbrush teething toy: Baby Banana Teething Toothbrush for Infants

Price £7.99 | Buy now from Amazon

“My boy's favourite was a banana shaped teething toothbrush.” Tried and tested by Mumsnet user Rosebud1302

What is it about teethers, monkeys and bananas?! Here is everybody’s favourite bendy yellow fruit as a teether and a toothbrush in one handy package.

It’s made from flexible silicone with handles easy for little hands to grasp and that prevent the toothbrush from going too far into the mouth. It’s great fun to chew on, while also unwittingly getting children used to the toothbrushing process.

While small enough to carry in your changing bag, it’s also likely to attract any hair or fluff therein. That said, it can simply be rinsed under the tap, wiped or even popped in the dishwasher. It’s certainly very a-peel-ing (sorry).

Pros

Easy-grasp handles

Dishwasher-safe and freezer-friendly

Cons

Needs regular cleaning

Only suitable for babies up to 12 months

Material

Silicone

Why do babies need teethers?

Teething toys help to ease the discomfort of sore gums as a baby's first few teeth start to push through.

The chewing action offers counterpressure to the teeth pushing upwards, massaging the gums and providing babies with some much-needed pain relief.

Back in the days of yore, parents would have let their baby gnaw on a bit of cucumber or carrot from the fridge, and teethers were generally simple plastic rings. These days, designs are much more clever, which means that dedicated teethers can be very handy once your baby starts teething.

What are the different types of teether?

There are various types of teether available, with designs suited to different occasions and stages. It's also worth noting that some babies may like the shape of a particular model and eschew (rather than chew) others.

If your baby doesn't get on with your chosen teether immediately, it’s worth giving something else a try.

Teether materials include:

Plastic – available in various shapes, these sometimes come with sterilised water inside so that they can be put in the fridge for extra cooling. Look out for BPA-free versions.

Silicone – often softer to chew on than ordinary plastic teething toys and can be moulded to give different textures to help massage the gums. Look for food- or medical-grade silicones. These can usually be put in the dishwasher for cleaning (check the packaging).

Natural rubber – like silicone, this is soft, very satisfying to chew and can be moulded into varying shapes. Rubber is natural rather than manmade, which might appeal to you, but this usually means that rubber toys are wipe-clean only.

Wood – you can still find good old-fashioned wooden teethers, which green parents might be a fan of if you’re trying to stop the incoming tide of plastic.

Mixed materials – some teething toys will have chewable fabric pieces as well as some silicone and harder plastic bits to give your baby a menu of teething options.

Teething mitts

These are worn like a glove, but have chewable plastic or silicone bits on the end for children to chomp on. Babies who are big hand-chewers might like these. They’re also good for early teethers who may not be able to hold onto a toy so well as it can’t be dropped.

Teething bibs

Teething bibs look just like ordinary baby bibs, but they have a silicone piece on the bottom which a baby can pop into their mouth to chew on. They're also very helpful in catching teething drool.

Teething necklaces

These are for you to wear, rather than your baby, and are usually made of silicone beads tied securely onto a scarf or string. Also helpful for hair-pullers or babies who like something to fiddle with while feeding.

Teething toys

From giraffes to TV remotes to car keys and more, teething toys offer familiarity as well as a sensory and learning experience for babies.

Which teethers are safe?

Any teether on the market made by a reputable company should have been tested for safety and bear the CE mark, but always double check before you buy.

A teether with small pieces needs to be 100% secure to ensure there are no choking hazards, and teething toys that can be squeezed need to be inspected regularly to check for mould and to check that there are no cracks or splits.

Teethers with ball-shaped ends or handles small enough to get lodged inside a child’s throat should be avoided and, if you’re going to use a teething necklace, only an adult must wear it – never a baby.

As with all toys, you shouldn’t leave your baby unattended with a teether anyway. You should also ensure they are kept clean and checked regularly for any damage.

At what age do babies need teethers?

Teething most commonly starts at around six months, but can be later or earlier. If you notice your baby is dribbling a lot, putting her fist in her mouth (and isn’t just hungry) or has slightly red cheeks, those may be signs that it’s time to bring out the teething toys.

How to choose the best teething toy

The right teething toy for your baby will depend on their preferences and how they use it. If your baby is early to teething, you’ll want to look for something light and easy for them to hold. Older babies will be able to cope with something chunkier.

A mitt-style teether is also good for younger children as it can’t easily be dropped. For big dribblers, a bib style will do double duty.

If you want something that can be used out and about, look for teethers that attach to clothes with a dummy clip or can be clipped to a pushchair harness.

For the most part, though, it’s about what works for your baby. If they don’t get on with a smooth ring-style teether, try something with lots of lumps and bumps. If plastic isn’t doing the job, a softer silicone or fabric teether will be more appealing.

How do you clean teething toys?

This largely depends on the type of teether you have bought. Most can be washed in soap and water, while some materials, such as plastic and silicone, can go in the dishwasher or a baby bottle steriliser. However if the teether is made from natural materials, such as wood or rubber, this may not be the case. Teething gloves or bibs can often go in the washing machine.

In order to prolong the life of your teether and to keep your baby safe, always check the manufacturer's instructions before cleaning.

Can you put teething gel on teethers?

Yes, for the most part, but usually not on teethers that are made from natural materials. Some teethers, such as the Matchstick Monkey, are designed to have teething gels added to them.

Can you put teething toys in the freezer?

Not usually. Freezers can sometimes make plastics crack. Check the packaging if you’re not sure, but lots of teethers can be popped into the fridge for cooling.

What’s the best teething toy?

Mumsnetters are going ape for the loveable Matchstick Monkey Teething Toy. Although, that said, there is still a lot of love out there for the classic Sophie La Girafe Original Baby Teething Toy.

Why is Sophie la Girafe so popular?

Many babies love the ubiquitous French giraffe for her soft colours and curves, which is why she’s also a popular new baby gift.

She’s said to smell faintly sweet, like vanilla (the natural scent of the natural rubber from the Hevea tree), and she feels smooth to the touch.

She’s also very easy to hold and, while you wouldn’t naturally assume a giraffe to be so pleasingly unwieldy, scaled down to Sophie size, most babies can easily get a good grip on her long neck and slender legs. They also seem to like chomping on her bumpy ears. A lot.

While we find the squeak more than a little irritating (with something of a dog-toy feel about it), Sophie nonetheless comes recommended by dentists and paediatricians and has sold in her tens of millions since her launch in 1961. Not bad for a girl of 60.

How we chose our recommendations

Mumsnet has been helping parents make their lives easier since 2000 and, in those years, we’ve seen, tried and reviewed thousands of products. Transparency is really important to us and that's why we're always upfront about where we find our recommendations.

We write about products that we feel offer the best value to most parents – the ones that our users would recommend to their own friends and family.

Recommendations from real parents

Before we recommend new products, we always ask our trusted Mumsnet users, of which there are more than 7 million each month. That’s a lot of honest, impartial advice.

Expert guidance

We always ensure our information represents the latest recommendations from experts so you can rely on it, and we research each product thoroughly to ensure it follows the latest expert advice and stands up to scrutiny.

Consumer feedback

We also scour the internet, leaving no stone unturned to check out real reviews from customers who have bought the products themselves and given both positive and negative feedback.

Celebrated best products

Finally, we cross-referenced all of the above information to find the best teething toys that had won the most accolades and recommendations across the board to bring you a selection of the best ones at various price points. We think there’s something here for everyone.

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