Most babies get their first tooth around the 6-month mark, although the age range can vary by a few months. But teething symptoms — such as drooling, biting, crying, coughing, refusing to eat, night waking, ear pulling, cheek rubbing and generally being irritable — can actually start occuring a few months before baby's first tooth appears (typically between 4 and 7 months). Baby teething toys are taken in and out of baby’s mouth, dropped on the floor and everything in between. As such, they should be cleaned regularly. The safest way to do this is by soaking them in warm water with a bit of washing-up liquid or distilled white vinegar. You can also pop them in a steriliser with bottles and pumping equipment to ensure all bacteria have been killed. For well-used teethers, try to do this every week. Does freezing teething toys make them more effective? Sophie does have two downsides. First, the price: She’s far more expensive than other teething products on this list, though many parents in our community say the price was worth it since their babies got so much use out of this toy. The other is the small air hole. This helps make her squeak, which is part of the appea;, bBut it also means that there’s a chance mold can develop inside, as it can with all squeaky toys. To be safe, hand-wash and avoid submerging her in water (in other words, don’t use her as a bath toy!).

There's a good chance you’ve heard of the famous “banana teether.” Not only is this teething toy super cute, but it also functions as a baby toothbrush to help jumpstart good oral hygiene habits. Plus, the bristles will give those aching gums extra love. We reviewed and selected teething based on the following criteria from leading experts, as well as What to Expect community members: No benzocaine. When choosing teething relief products for your little one, be sure to also avoid topical products that contain the gum-numbing ingredient benzocaine, which can have rare, but life-threatening side effects. Homeopathic or "natural" teething products that contain belladonna are also unsafe, according to the FDA. Some little ones like the feeling of something soft and squishy when they’re teething, but others prefer a harder material for added pressure against their gums. For those in the latter group, Dr. Kelman says wooden teethers are a nice option.In addition to being a soothing teether, parents appreciate that it helps even young babies and toddlers learn brushing basics. So when this glorious but challenging milestone rolls around, what are the best ways to help ease your baby's teething pain? Teething toys. Also called teethers, teething toys offer babies with sore gums something safe to chew on. This is helpful, because the gumming action offers counter pressure to baby's brand-new teeth that can be soothing and help alleviate pain, according to the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP). How we chose the best teething toys

Made of 100 percent food grade silicone, this banana teether is also easy to hold and both dishwasher- and freezer-safe. Parents in the What to Expect community are huge fans of this multipurpose teether, too. “[I recommend] the teething banana 100 percent,” writes one. “Our [baby] just turned 5 months last week and cut two teeth in the past three days. He has been teething like crazy for about a month and we've bought several teething toys, and the banana is his favorite by far!” Teething is an exciting milestone for your baby, but it can also be a difficult and painful one. While it’s thrilling that your little one is developing her own beautiful set of pearly whites, many babies also experience pain and fussiness when they start teething.

The best baby teething toys to buy

You’ll often notice that your baby will want to chew on everything while they’re teething, and one of the ways you can help them is with a teething toy. The chewing and gnawing action help to reduce the discomfort in a baby’s gums while distracting them with fun colours, comforting textures, and playful designs. Parents have few complaints about this teether, but like some others on this list, the design is a bit more basic and may not hold the attention of older babies or toddlers for quite as long. What’s more, there are a number of different surfaces — some smooth, some bumpy — so babies can choose which ones are most satisfying to gnaw on. There is a wide range of teething toys available on the market, from textured rings that you can pop in the fridge to larger toys made from natural rubber that are easy for baby to hold, and some that even come with sound effects. We’ve selected some of the best baby teething toys on the market to help you find the right one for your little one.

My4.5 month daughter is all about the banana toothbrush right now, she loves it!" saysKristinne Stabile, What to Expect's Director Of Data Insights, Pregnancy & Parenting.Praised by parents everywhere, this adorable giraffe baby teether gift set will help get your baby through teething discomfort. It’s made from 100 percent rubber that’s free of BPA and phthalates, so it's safe and squishy for baby to chew. Safety: With teething toys (as with most baby gear), the number-one consideration is safety. All of the teething toys on this list meet the below safety criteria. This four-piece musical teething set provides a full sensory experience for baby with bright colours and a variety of soft teething textures. We loved that the set includes a range of instruments – including a trumpet, guitar, maraca, and tambourine – each free from BPA, phthalate and PVC.

Type: Teething rings are classic, but these days you can also find different types of teethers, from teething toothbrushes to teethers that look like small toys. But there are a few you should skip. Michelle Kelman, D.D.S., a pediatric dentist in Los Angeles and member of the What to Expect Medical Review Board, says round teethers and teethers with stoppers on them are a safer design for babies. She also discourages any teething toys that have liquid or gels in them, as well as teether pops; breast milk or fruit in the mesh bathes newly erupting teeth, which can lead to weakening of the new enamel and future cavities, she says. Many parents put teething toys in the freezer as a way of providing extra comfort for baby’s gums, but this has actually been proven to be quite harmful to their teeth. Instead, look for teethers with lots of different textures so that your baby can experiment with what provides them the most comfort.Key specs – Material: BPA-free silicone; Cleaning: Hand wash only; Usage: Suitable as a teether only when worn by an adult Key specs – Material: BPA, phthalate and PVC-free plastic; Cleaning: Hand wash only; Usage: Teethers and musical toys Material: With teethers, “material selection is essential,” says Dr. Kelman. She prefers teething toys that are made from silicone, wood or natural rubber, and also recommends the material be free of BPA and phthalates. All of the teething toys on this list meet these requirements.