Teething peaks between 4 and 12 months and the right toy buys you sanity through some genuinely awful days. Pick by texture variety and what your baby actually gravitates to. Picks below available on Amazon AU and Amazon US.
In this guide
- Our top picks at a glance
- Texture variety matters more than brand
- Sophie la Girafe — Best Classic
- Manhattan Toy Winkel Rattle & Sensory Teether — Best Multi-Texture
- Comotomo Silicone Teether — Best Silicone
- Nuby Ice Gel Teether Keys — Best Cooling
- Munchkin Twisty Figure 8 Teether — Best Grip-Trainer
- What we’d skip
Our top picks at a glance
| Pick | Best for | Rating | Price | Buy |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Sophie la GirafeBest Classic | Multi-texture chewing | ★ 4.7 | $ | Amazon AU Amazon US |
Manhattan Toy Winkel Rattle & Sensory TeetherBest Multi-Texture | Sensory + grip | ★ 4.8 | $ | Amazon AU Amazon US |
Comotomo Silicone TeetherBest Silicone | Soft chew preference | ★ 4.7 | $ | Amazon AU Amazon US |
Nuby Ice Gel Teether KeysBest Cooling | Cooling pain relief | ★ 4.6 | $ | Amazon AU Amazon US |
Munchkin Twisty Figure 8 TeetherBest Grip-Trainer | Hand-coordination | ★ 4.6 | $ | Amazon AU Amazon US |
Texture variety matters more than brand
- Multiple textures in one toy — soft, ridged, knobbed. Different stages of teething want different sensations.
- Easy to clean. Anything with crevices grows mould fast.
- Choke-test diameter. Smaller than a 35 mm cylinder = no.
- Avoid amber teething necklaces. ACCC and US CPSC both flag these as choking and strangulation risks.
- Refrigerator OK, freezer no. Frozen teethers can crack delicate gum tissue.
The picks — reviewed in detail
Sophie la Girafe
French rubber giraffe with multiple chewable surfaces (legs, ears, neck). Squeaks when squeezed (which baby finds hilarious). The teether parents have used since 1961 for a reason.
Manhattan Toy Winkel Rattle & Sensory Teether
Tangle of soft plastic loops that baby can grasp from any angle. Multiple textures, gentle internal rattle. Easy to clean (no crevices, dishwasher safe).
Comotomo Silicone Teether
Same food-grade silicone as Comotomo bottles. Multiple chew points, dishwasher and steriliser safe. Babies who prefer soft over rigid teethers love this.
Nuby Ice Gel Teether Keys
Refrigerator-safe gel-filled teethers. Cool soothes inflamed gums (don’t freeze — ice cracks gum tissue). Three keys = three textures in one set.
Munchkin Twisty Figure 8 Teether
Bendable figure-eight design. Multiple grip points, twisting builds fine motor skill. Soft enough for sore gums but firm enough to satisfy chewing.
What we’d skip
- Amber teething necklaces. ACCC + US CPSC strangulation/choking warnings.
- Frozen-solid teethers. Cool yes; frozen no.
- Wooden teethers with painted finishes. Paint chips off into mouth.
Frequently asked questions
When does teething start?
Drooling and chewing behaviour starts around 3–4 months. The first tooth typically erupts between 4–7 months but can range from 3–12 months. Late teething is normal and not concerning.
Are amber teething necklaces effective?
No, and both ACCC and US CPSC have issued warnings about choking and strangulation risks. There is no clinical evidence that amber relieves teething pain. Use safer alternatives like silicone teethers and chilled (not frozen) gel teethers.
Can teething toys go in the freezer?
Refrigerator yes, freezer no. Frozen-solid teethers can crack delicate gum tissue. Cool gel teethers from the fridge (Nuby Ice Gel Keys) provide soothing without the cracking risk.
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