Many parents put teething toys in the freezer as a way of providing extra comfort for baby’s gums, but this has actually been proven to be quite harmful to their teeth. Instead, look for teethers with lots of different textures so that your baby can experiment with what provides them the most comfort. So when this glorious but challenging milestone rolls around, what are the best ways to help ease your baby's teething pain? Teething toys. Also called teethers, teething toys offer babies with sore gums something safe to chew on. This is helpful, because the gumming action offers counter pressure to baby's brand-new teeth that can be soothing and help alleviate pain, according to the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP). How we chose the best teething toys Some little ones like the feeling of something soft and squishy when they’re teething, but others prefer a harder material for added pressure against their gums. For those in the latter group, Dr. Kelman says wooden teethers are a nice option.

My4.5 month daughter is all about the banana toothbrush right now, she loves it!" saysKristinne Stabile, What to Expect's Director Of Data Insights, Pregnancy & Parenting. Most babies get their first tooth around the 6-month mark, although the age range can vary by a few months. But teething symptoms — such as drooling, biting, crying, coughing, refusing to eat, night waking, ear pulling, cheek rubbing and generally being irritable — can actually start occuring a few months before baby's first tooth appears (typically between 4 and 7 months).

Baby teething toys are amazing tools that can both soothe and entertain your little ones – here are some of the best

Material: With teethers, “material selection is essential,” says Dr. Kelman. She prefers teething toys that are made from silicone, wood or natural rubber, and also recommends the material be free of BPA and phthalates. All of the teething toys on this list meet these requirements. There's a good chance you’ve heard of the famous “banana teether.” Not only is this teething toy super cute, but it also functions as a baby toothbrush to help jumpstart good oral hygiene habits. Plus, the bristles will give those aching gums extra love. Key specs – Material: BPA-free silicone; Cleaning: Hand wash only; Usage: Suitable as a teether only when worn by an adult

Safety: With teething toys (as with most baby gear), the number-one consideration is safety. All of the teething toys on this list meet the below safety criteria. Baby teething toys are taken in and out of baby’s mouth, dropped on the floor and everything in between. As such, they should be cleaned regularly. The safest way to do this is by soaking them in warm water with a bit of washing-up liquid or distilled white vinegar. You can also pop them in a steriliser with bottles and pumping equipment to ensure all bacteria have been killed. For well-used teethers, try to do this every week. Does freezing teething toys make them more effective?Key specs – Material: BPA, phthalate and PVC-free plastic; Cleaning: Hand wash only; Usage: Teethers and musical toys No benzocaine. When choosing teething relief products for your little one, be sure to also avoid topical products that contain the gum-numbing ingredient benzocaine, which can have rare, but life-threatening side effects. Homeopathic or "natural" teething products that contain belladonna are also unsafe, according to the FDA. You’ll often notice that your baby will want to chew on everything while they’re teething, and one of the ways you can help them is with a teething toy. The chewing and gnawing action help to reduce the discomfort in a baby’s gums while distracting them with fun colours, comforting textures, and playful designs.