Favorite Teethers for Babies & Toddlers
Teethers are AMAZING, the benefits of using them are infinite! They help move the gag reflex back, help practice the motor plan for chewing, support mature oral motor development, is good for baby’s oral-sensory development, helps introduce textures without introducing foods, and so on! When babies are born, their mouth is very “unorganized,” hence why sucking on a pacifier or nursing is very soothing and regulating to them. During the first year, we want baby’s mouth to experience different textures during play and meals to help regulate their oral sensory system- so teethers are an excellent way to do that! Start to offer around 3 months of age and continue into toddlerhood!
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This is my FAVORITE first teether, that I buy it for pretty much every new mom I know. This bristles on this teether are soothing to baby’s gums, it doesn’t go too far back in the mouth, and it’s ring shape makes it easy to hold and mouth. It also comes with its own hygenic carrying case, which is just an added bonus.
These hollow teether sticks are great for a baby who is just grasping and bringing items to their mouth! No, they cannot choke themselves with this teether, as choking occurs at the level of the windpipe (which is way farther than baby can push back), but it may elicit some gagging as these sticks can go pretty far back. However, the best way to move a gag reflex back is to elicit it and work through it while strengthening the jaw! These can come in handy as baby wishes to bite further back in their mouth, and you get several teethers for a low price. Great for around 4-5 months and into toddlerhood!
These two sided spoons are great for starting solids, but even better as teethers first! Two different textured ends, and a lip block so baby can’t go too far back! Put these into baby’s play rotation around 4 months and encourage them to bring to their mouth- practicing that motor plan of self-feeding early!
This “octopus” teether is my all-time favorite teether! It is easy to hold and has finger-like stubs that are great for baby to chomp on, without them going too far back to constantly gag! I recommend introducing this one around 4-5 months of age and continue to offer in play as baby nears 1.
This Hedgehog toy is a great first rattle and has pointed teether parts on top that are great for mouthing! I recommend introducing around 3-4 months once baby starts reaching for items in the play gym. Bringing a toy like this to their mouth is usually the first step for self-feeding (already, I know, how cool right?!)
The Baby Banana Brush lives up to the hype. It’s a great first toothbrush for baby before their first tooth erupts. It’s easy to hold as it has two little handles, and the bristles provide nice texture to baby’s oral sensory system. I recommend introducing between 3-6 months of age, help baby hold at first, and then let them play and mouth it!
Sophie The Giraffe is an iconic teether! With her thicker head and body, she helps baby open wide- great for once baby can grasp toys well around 4-5 months! This is a great teether to have in play as baby mouths other toys, too.
The Munch Mitt is a neat teether. Some little one’s love having this on their hand like a glove and mouth it, and others find it cumbersome and annoying. It’s not my favorite teether, but baby can also just hold it and mouth it, too (like both of my kids did!). It’s bumpy texture is beneficial for baby’s oral sensory system and I recommend using around 3-4 months.
Spoons as teethers? You betcha. These flat spoons make great teethers before solids, which then makes them even more familiar to baby as they navigate the new world of solids. Putting food on a familiar spoon can really help baby have an enjoyable experience with first bites. Pop in play around 5 months!
The Jelly Dog is a great teether! Easy to hold, and made with little nubs that make it easy for baby to bite on, it’s also a great choice for baby. I recommend using around 3-4 months and continuing to offer in play as baby nears 12 months of age.
This Ark Grabber is very tough- making it great for babies who have recently started solids and are starting to chew more! The resistance helps strengthen baby’s jaw, and the shape of this teether makes it easy to hold! It’s a little longer, so it goes further back in baby’s mouth, making it a great teether to help push the gag reflex back and practice chewing in the back of the mouth. Great for 6 months + and into toddlerhood!
This Baby Toon is a spoon and a teether all in one! Great for bringing to restaurants and attaching to a busy mat, and using at mealtime! Baby can teeth on the square end or the spoon, and also practice scooping at mealtimes. It’s a two-in-one product and I love it! Introduce around 4-5 months in play, then bring to mealtimes!
The Y Chew is also a tough teether, but great for building jaw strength! The shorter ends are great for biting on both sides, and they all have different textured ends. I recommend offering around 9 months as chewing skills continue to build for harder foods.
