5 Best Natural Teethers (Safe and Non-Toxic)
When those little teeth start to appear for your little one, natural teethers can comfort them. While it may be more difficult to find these safe, non-toxic options, it is worth it for the health of our precious baby.
We spend so much time thinking about feeding and caring for our babies, and choosing a natural teether is another way to protect them from toxins.
The plastic teethers available at drug stores and big-box stores can be used in a pinch, but parents who prefer a more natural route should look for teethers made of more natural materials since they will be spending so much time in their baby’s mouth.
Why Opt for Natural Teethers?
Teething can begin as early as 3 months or younger and last until the last baby tooth appears around 3 years old. That is a long time.
Since teething is a normal, natural part of a baby’s development, you want to ensure that you are helping the baby stay comfortable with natural methods that will support your baby’s health.
Natural teethers will help soothe your baby without exposing them to toxic BPAs, lead, or petroleum products.
There are other reasons to opt for natural teethers as well.
Are wooden teethers better than plastic?
Wooden teethers and wooden toys generally make a much smaller impact on the environment, and they can be recycled naturally or composted.
Wooden teethers, sealed with natural sealants like olive oil, are a cleaner alternative to plastic.
So many adorable wooden teethers are available; I am sure you will find one that delights your child.
Types of Natural Teethers
Teethers are soft toys babies can chew on to help relieve the pain of the tooth pushing through the gum.
Natural teethers are usually made of a few different types of materials.
Natural Rubber
Rubber teethers are made of natural rubber, which is a product of the rubber tree. Rubber teethers have a soothing texture.
The most popular natural rubber teethers are by Haaka, which makes breast milk savers.
These cute owl teethers have a sweet small shape and a ring for the baby to hold; you can attach the teether to a pacifier clip so it does not fall on the floor.
These teethers are completely biodegradable and contain no plastic, artificial colors, or dyes. So many reasons to choose a natural teether.
Natural Silicone
Silicone is very popular for baby products because it is a more natural alternative to plastic. Silicone can be made in a wide range of colors and shapes.
I like this cleverly designed no-drop teether. It slips on your baby’s wrist so they can chew it, and if they let go, it will not drop onto the floor.
I also like these teether tubes for older babies who are cutting teeth in the back. Older kids may need to chew further back in their mouths, and these allow that. My son used these Y-shaped teethers until he was preschool-aged. They are often available in different hardness levels if you have a baby who is biting through teeth.
Natural Wood
Simple wooden teethers are a great option, as they last forever and are completely biodegradable.
If you get untreated wood teethers, you should coat them with cooking oil before giving them to the baby. This will extend the life of the teether and keep it from absorbing as much water.
We used a simple Maple Teether like this one for my babies. I found it worked well for them as long as I cared for it.
Be sure to inspect it regularly to be sure it is not starting to splinter, and rub it with olive oil regularly to keep it in good condition.
Organic Cotton
Frozen washcloths are often recommended to help babies cope with that teething pain so you will want a set of organic cotton cloths.
You can get the washcloths with water, breastmilk, or formula and put them in the freezer. This is a great treat for a particularly bad teething day.
Your baby will not be able to hold it for very long because it is so cold, so you may need to hold it for them.
There are so many options for natural teethers; it really comes down to your favorites when you start shopping.
What about Baltic Amber?
Baltic Amber is a great solution for many parents regarding natural teethers. Amber is made of fossilized tree resin and is most plentiful in areas around the Baltic Sea; this includes parts of Latvia, Poland, Finland, and Sweeden.
Baltic Amber is often made into beads and put on necklaces or bracelets and anklets and used to help soothe teething pain in babies.
It should be worn directly in contact with the skin so that as your body heats the amber, its compounds get absorbed into the skin to help reduce pain and inflammation.
Be sure that any amber you purchase is pure and raw. This will benefit the baby most as the compounds that reduce inflammation and pain can absorb freely into the skin.
Amber teething necklaces should only be used when a child is closely supervised and never when sleeping or riding in a car seat.
So, if you choose to use Amber teething products, be sure to remove them for naps, car rides, and independent playtime.
Best Natural Teethers for Your Baby
Here is a short list of the best teethers for your sweet natural baby:
1. Elephant Silicone Teether
This adorable Elephant Silicone Teether is free of harmful BPA and is easy for the baby to hold.
The multiple textured surfaces give your baby plenty of options to soothe their gums, and the long trunk shape allows the baby to reach those back teeth.
This teether comes in three beautiful colors and is made of 100% food-grade silicone.
2. Smily Mia Penguin Silicone Teething Toy
This Smily Mia Penguin Buddy Never Drop Silicone Teething Toy is another great choice. It is BPA-free, food-grade silicone, dishwasher, and freezer safe.
As per the manufacturer, this teether works excellent for breastfeeding babies who do not take pacifiers. It works as a breast teether and a pacifier for picky babies for soothing.
3. Haaka Natural Rubber Owl
A fully natural rubber teether from Haaka is just the perfect teether. I love how the rubber is completely biodegradable, and the multiple textures make it perfect for new teethers.
Natural rubber does have a distinct smell, and this product must be washed by hand.
4. Silicone Rudder with Wooden Ring
This fun Silicone Rudder baby teething ring from Arudyo is BPA-free and perfect for soothing babies’ gums.
It is made with 100% food-grade silicone and natural beech, and I love that you can disinfect the silicone rudder (not the wooden ring) with boiling water as it can withstand a high temperature of 200 degrees (for no more than 3 minutes).
5. Wooden Teething Rattle
This beautiful Wooden Teether is the perfect Montessori grasping teething toy for babies.
It is handmade in the USA, sealed with organic virgin coconut oil and natural beeswax.
The manufacturer says their colored rattles use water-based, 100% non-toxic paints, dyes, and sealers.
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In Summary
Baby teethers are a lifesaver when it comes to soothing our babies’ achy gums as their teeth grow are growing in.
However, not all teethers are created equal. Therefore, we must pay close attention to the baby products we use, especially those that go straight into their mouths for minutes at a time.
I hope this list was helpful.
Which non-toxic baby teether do you think will work best for your baby?