The Best Things for Teething Babies (That Aren’t That Amber Necklace), According to Pediatricians

Lombardi says she often recommends teething rings that can be refrigerated. “Placing the teething rings in the refrigerator instead of the freezer prevents them from getting too hard and too cold causing them to stick to the gums — often causing more discomfort,” she says. Most experts, including Lombardi, recommend BPA-free rings (like these that are made from food-grade silicone), which are easy to clean and disinfect.

Also made from BPA-free silicone, this adorable llama-shaped teether is a favorite of Nasiba Adilova, co-founder of The Tot. “It’s the perfect size for little fingers to hold with lots of interesting textures,” she says. “Best of all, it’s completely nontoxic.”

With two rings of different textures for babies to choose from, Lombardi says this giraffe teether has been “very popular in recent years.” It’s made from all-natural rubber and food-grade paints so babies can safely chew away at it.

For a kitschy, trompe l’oeil teething toy, Adilova likes this natural rubber one that looks like a leaf of kale. She says babies love the textured surface and it’s also “completely biodegradable and ecofriendly.”

Organic and untreated wood can feel good on baby’s gums. De Croisset is currently dealing with her own teething baby and likes this set. “My daughter can really grip the [ring] and the different textures keep her interested,” she says.

Made from “smooth, hard maplewood,” this green-juice-style teether is one of Adilova’s favorites because it’s “naturally antibacterial” and “little teethers just love gnawing on it.”

Lots of babies like sucking on a pacifier when they’re teething, although, Trachtenberg says, “each baby is different and has different preferences, so you may have to try a few until you find the right one that [your] baby likes.” She says this dishwasher-safe one with its simple “one-piece design” is a top pick among parents and babies in her practice. She also likes that “the nipple inverts, for all the times it gets thrown on the floor,” so it stays free of dirt and germs.

Since it’s attached to a soft, plush toy for babies to snuggle with, Trachtenberg says, this pacifier is “always a hit with baby to calm, comfort, and soothe.”

Teething pain can make meal time a challenge, so Lombardi likes these mesh feeders, which “can be filled with ice, frozen breast milk or formula if the child hasn’t transitioned to solid foods yet, or frozen organic fruits.” The textured mesh feels good on the gums while also letting nutritious food pass through.

One of the top expert-recommended toothbrushes for babies, this banana-shaped brush can help with teething, according to Lombardi. “The soft silicone bristles perform double duty by helping clear food particles from the mouth while also massaging the gums,” she says.

As much as parents want to give babies something for pain relief, this can be tricky, as the American Academy of Pediatrics cautions against using gels or creams with benzocaine, which can have dangerous side effects. De Croisset reports having some success with these homeopathic drops that use chamomilla (the same herb found in chamomile tea) and come in single-dose pods. Of course, Lombardi says to run any medication — homeopathic or otherwise — by your child’s pediatrician first before using it.

Also recommended by de Croisset, this gel is “free from benzocaine and parabens and is thus safe for little ones.”

Again, it’s best to ask your doctor before trying any type of medication, but Gallagher says that to help teething babies sleep at night, she usually recommends ibuprofen, “as it gives pain relief and is an anti-inflammatory.”