It seems like a constant struggle: trying to keep absolutely anything and everything out of your child’s curious mouth. Teething usually begins at the age of 6 months, and yields many uncomfortable and painful symptoms including swollen gums, drooling, and even refusing to eat. In order to relieve the pain, babies like to chew on anything they can get their hands on. How do you combat this curiousness?

Why are Safe Teethers Important?

Let’s face it, you’ve probably spent a lot of time yanking pens, cell phones, and shoes away from your little one’s mouth. There are many safe alternatives that help in the teething process and won’t break the bank. However, these natural, safe teethers can be hard to find given the vast amount of teething products out there. We’ve found a few that are certified non-toxic products, and have raving reviews.

• Sophie the Giraffe

For more than 50 years, Sophie has been one of the most popular teething toys in the United States, and in Europe. She is made out of rubber and painted with food-grade paint. Your little one will love sucking on Sophie’s cute little face. You can find her on Amazon for $21.99.

• Waldorf Maple Teething Ring

This ring is made out of non-toxic maple wood and is handmade in the United States. This teether is easy to grasp for tiny fingers and allows baby to relieve gum pain. You can find it on Amazon for $9.99.

• SweeTooth

This teether takes the shape of an ice cream cone and is made with class 6 silicone (medical grade) only, in the United States. This product is approved by the FDA and is BPA free. You can find it on Amazon for $19.99, or on the company’s website for $12.

Many teethers with the “Made in China” label hide dangerous plastics. Teethers made from PVC (polyvinyl chloride) are usually the ones you can store in the freezer. Theses can be dangerous because the plastic is made with phthalates, a chemical also found in many cosmetics. Lastly, be aware of teething biscuits. Although biscuits are quite popular and on the cheaper side, any pediatrician will tell you they pose a choking hazard because they can break in a baby’s mouth.

Although it may be difficult at first to decipher safe teethers from potentially toxic ones, looking for products that are approved by the FDA, BPA-free, and are not made from plastics can help narrow down the search. Non-toxic teethers give you peace-of-mind that your baby can relieve teething pain…and you can finally get your shoes out of their mouth.