Quick answer: The best baby teether for most UK families is a soft, food-grade silicone teether that's easy for small hands to grip and safe from birth. In Women's Health's 2025 round-up of the best teething toys, the Infatot MultiTexture Baby Teether was named Best Overall and the Infatot Koda Koala Teething Pair won Best Teething Mitten. Below we compare teethers by age, material and how you'll use them.
What parents need to know
Sore gums, endless chewing, a baby who suddenly wants everything in their mouth — teething has a way of arriving without warning, and the choice of teethers on offer can feel overwhelming when you're tired and just want something that helps.
🏆 As featured in Women’s Health (2025): the MultiTexture Sea Teether was rated “Best Overall Teething Toy for Babies” and the Koda Koala Teething Pair “Best Teething Mitten for Babies.” Read the review →
How to choose a baby teether: the 4 things that matter
- Material safety. Look for food-grade silicone, BPA-free, PVC-free and phthalate-free. In the UK, a teether should carry UKCA or CE marking and meet the BS EN 71 toy-safety standard.
- Age suitability. Some teethers are safe from birth; others suit the 6-month+ chewing stage.
- Grip and shape. Newborns need lightweight, easy-to-hold shapes. Rings and barbell shapes are easiest for tiny hands.
- Cleaning. Solid one-piece silicone is easiest to keep clean. Avoid liquid- or gel-filled teethers.
Comparison: Infatot teether range at a glance
| Teether | Material | Safe from birth | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| MultiTexture Sea Teether — 🏆 Best Overall (Women’s Health 2025) | Food-grade silicone + natural wood, 10 textures | Yes (0–6m) | Best all-rounder — sensory play + teething relief |
| Koda Koala Teething Pair — 🏆 Best Teething Mitten (Women’s Health 2025) | Food-grade silicone, 2-pack incl. wearable mitten | Yes | Teething mitten + handheld toy; excellent gift |
| Barbell Buddy | Soft food-grade silicone | Yes | First teether — lightweight, easy grip |
| Animal Teething Ring | Silicone + natural wood | From ~3 months | Self-soothing & on-the-go |
| Suction Toy | Wood + silicone, suction base | From ~3 months | Highchair & table play — stays put |
Our picks by need
- Best overall teether (Women’s Health, 2025): MultiTexture Sea Teether — food-grade silicone and natural wood with 10 textures, safe from birth.
- Best teething mitten (Women’s Health, 2025): Koda Koala Teething Pair — a wearable mitten plus a handheld teether; a popular new-baby gift.
- Best first teether for a newborn: Barbell Buddy — soft, light and shaped for the easiest grip.
- Best for the highchair: Suction Toy — the suction base keeps it in place so it isn't constantly dropped.
- Best for on-the-go: Animal Teething Ring — the ring shape is easy to hold and clip to a pram or bag.
Silicone vs wood teethers: which is better?
Both are good when made to UK safety standards. Silicone is soft on sore gums, easy to clean and sterilise, and gentle for newborns. Wood (always natural, untreated) is firmer and offers more texture. Combined wood-and-silicone teethers — like the MultiTexture — give you both in one toy.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best baby teether in the UK?
In Women’s Health’s 2025 testing, the Infatot MultiTexture Baby Teether was rated the best overall teething toy for babies, with the Koda Koala Teething Pair named the best teething mitten.
What is the safest baby teether?
The safest teethers are one-piece, food-grade silicone (or natural wood) with no small detachable parts, no liquid or gel filling, and UKCA/CE marking to the BS EN 71 standard.
What age can babies use a teether?
Some silicone teethers are safe from birth for soothing and grip practice. Most babies start active teething between 4 and 7 months.
Can you put a teether in the fridge or freezer?
The fridge is best. A cool (not frozen) teether soothes gums; a fully frozen teether can become too hard and bruise tender gums.
How do you clean a silicone teether?
Wash in warm soapy water and rinse well, or follow the product's sterilising guidance. One-piece silicone teethers are easiest to keep hygienic.
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