Babies have a specific way of communicating with us. Whether signaling through crying, rubbing their eyes, grunting, laughing, or whining, we quickly learn their cues and respond accordingly. So when a baby begins excessively drooling, can't sleep, cries more frequently, and chews on absolutely everything in sight, we know that their tiny little teeth are finally breaking through. First up on the list of soothers for this painful, sad time in their young lives? Teething toys. Essential to ease the pain on their gums, teething toys give them some much-needed pressure to help alleviate the ache of those tiny new pearly whites just making their way through. And while there are a ton of toys out there to choose from, not all are equal. We've done the research and discovered these, here below. Our recommendation? Get 'em all. You can never have too many options for a tired, teething baby. Nuby Ice Gel Teether Keys The Key to Soothing Your Baby's GumsThere's little more soothing than cold, numbing gel on your teether's sore gums. This fun key ring offers just that, providing instant, cool relief. Best OverallFind on Amazon Not just a teether, this multi-purpose teething toy combines a brightly colored set of keys for visual stimulation and fine motor skill-building. Additionally, it serves as a textured teether that massages their gums to relieve any soreness. Each individual key is specifically designed with PurIce Technology. Staying colder for longer, the cool, textured surface of each key provides instant relief. Free of BPA, this teething keyring doesn’t contain any harmful ingredients for you to worry about. Best for babies 3 months and above, your little one will love toying with the keys during chewing breaks. Pros: Vibrant colors and multi-surfaced keys keep the interest of your little teether. The keyring is the ideal size for grabbing and holding. Safe to refrigerate. Large enough to reach the back teeth, as well as working for the front and middle of the mouth. Cons: Although recommended for babies as young as 3 months, these teething keys are actually best for babies that have better hand control and gripping power. Mombella Mimi The Mushroom Teether Toy Providing Comfort and Relief for the Smallest TeethersIdeal for the youngest teethers, this adorable mushroom teething toy is easy to hold and is the perfect shape for providing little ones extra comfort.Best for 0-6 MonthsFind on Amazon I don’t know if this teether was meant to be cute, but Mombella nailed it anyway. This mini mushroom teether is adorable. Even better though, it’s actually functional as a teether. Functional as in, babies love it. Shaped with a breast and nipple in mind, babies find comfort in sucking, chewing, and holding onto Mimi. Aside from being cute and functional, this teething toy actually serves some really great purposes. Aiding in the development of tongue control, jaw strength, and muscle development, this teething toy may help with speech development and improved feeding habits down the road. Pros: Small, light, and easy for even the tiniest of teethers to grip. Multiple eye-catching, vibrant colors to choose from. Easy to clean. Ideal for 0-6 months or so. Cons: Due to the size, this isn’t recommended for babies older than 6 months. This is a bummer because babies adore this toy. Nuby Silicone Teethe-eez Teether A Gentle, Soothing Silicone Teething RingWith multiple bristles and a hygienic carrying case, this is the ideal teether to bring to the park.Best On the GoFind on Amazon One of the best things you can do for your teether? Give them something chewy that’s soft but textured to gnaw on. Touting the ideal ergonomic size and shape, this 100% silicone teether fits perfectly for little hands to grip while they chew on the textured bristles for comfort. In fact, there are actually multiple types of surfaces for chewing on, with each providing comfort and relief for extra sore gums. You can feel safe giving this to your little one, too, because it’s BPA-free. Pros: Fish shape fits perfectly in tiny hands as well as in small mouths. Multiple surfaces for massaging relief of Baby’s gums. Safe from infancy through toddlerhood. Can be kept in the refrigerator for cooling relief (although there is no gel, it’ll still feel wonderful on their tiny, pain-ridden gums). Comes with a hygienic carrying case. Cons: Silicone attracts everything by nature. This means if it’s dropped, it’ll pick up dust, dirt, pet hair, fuzzies, etc. Not a dealbreaker, but you’ll want to keep an eye on it. Vulli Sophie The Giraffe The Teether Babies Would ChooseWe don't know what it is, but babies love Sophie, the adorable teething toy that delights babies of all ages.Baby's ChoiceFind on Amazon There was a period in my twenties where I was a nanny. And during this stint, every single child I met had a Sophie The Giraffe. It was the teething toy to have. Well, guess what? It very much still is. Vulli’s adorable 100% natural rubber giraffe is the softest, sweetest little giraffe that every single baby I’ve ever met (and I’ve met a lot) has absolutely obsessed over. Her body is ideal for gnawing on: soft, but textured enough to be soothing on sore gums. More than just a teether, Sophie has contrasting colors, she makes a light squeaking sound, and she’s made to engage your little one for more than just teething relief. Pros: Super flexible, but won’t tear, break, or lose its shape. Every part of Sophie is safe to chew on, from the natural rubber to the food-grade paint. Perfect size for the grip of a small baby. Unscented except for the scent of the natural rubber, which comes from the Hevea tree. Cons: Sophie is a bit on the pricier side for a teething toy. NatureBond Baby Food Feeder and Toy Teether Set Teething and Feeding All in OneCombining feeders and teethers together in one handy little set, this is the ideal teething toy for an emergent eater and frustrated teether.Best SetFind on Amazon Combining the genius of feeders with the relief of teethers, this set is the ideal starter kit for your new eater and fussy teether. The all-in-one feeder works to soothe the sore gums of your little one through the action and pressure of chewing and sucking. Completely safe, the feeder is certified to be free of BPA, latex, lead, and phthalates. With multiple components (2 suckers with 6 teats for swapping), you can safely introduce your little buddy to new foods, textures, tastes, and nutrition – all while allowing them to gnaw away to their gums’ content. Pros: Made with 100% food-grade silicone. Ergonomic handle for an easy, comfortable grip Stimulating, candy-like colors. Easy to clean with completely removable parts. Cons: Although each piece comes apart fully to wash, this makes it difficult to keep track of all the small parts. Frequently Asked Questions What are the signs and symptoms of teething? There are a number of signs of teething, and not all babies show all the signs. Some common symptoms can include a low-grade fever, excessive drooling, and skin rashes. Your baby might be gnawing on everything in sight, and they might also be rather grouchy. Are there any types of teething toys you should avoid? PVC (vinyl) is the number one most toxic material for teethers and toys. Containing chlorine, heavy metals (possibly even lead), and hormone-disrupting phthalates, PVC is incredibly toxic for children – especially so as a children’s teething toy. Is it safe to use food as a teether toy? Depending on the type of food and the age of your child, using food as a teething toy can certainly be safe. One of the best ways to ensure safety (as well as to add comfort to your child’s sore gums), is to use little food sacks to freeze or refrigerate food. Your little one can gum the frozen or cool food, gently numbing their gums and providing relief. Because children who are teething sometimes have difficulties with their appetite, it can be a nice way to get some extra nutrition in as well. If I have an early teether, is it still safe to give them a teething toy? In general, teething toys are totally safe, and this goes for young teethers, too. While most babies don’t cut their first tooth until around 4 to 6 months old, it is certainly possible for babies to teeth much sooner than that. Babies as young as 2 months old can gnaw away on teething toys and it’s perfectly safe. Related posts:Powered by SearchIQ The Best Puppy Toys For Teething Read more The Best Puppy Toys For Teething Read more The Best Puppy Teething Toys Read more