When it comes to teething, soothing your little one isn't always easy. Especially if they don't want to hold the teething toys you've bought. That's where a teething mitten comes in handy.
Why should you opt for teething mittens for your baby?
Teething mitts are a great way to relieve teething symptoms. With the added bonus that your little one isn't going to accidentally lose it or drop it on the floor. Meaning you won't have to play the 'drop and pick up' game.
Most teething mitts have a soft, velcro wrist fasten, with a silicone mitt end for chewing comfort. These are particularly great for younger babies who just won’t keep their little hands out of their mouths. They will also enjoy playing with the variety of colours and stimulating textures a mitt provides.
It'll prevent your baby from scratching too and they're a useful alternative if your baby starts teething earlier than most when teething toys are too big or unsuitable.
For safety, look out for teething mittens made from food-grade or medical-grade silicone, BPA, PVC and phthalates-free plastic or made with food-grade and naturally pigmented 100 per cent natural rubber.
Our pick of the best teething mittens at a glance
While all our picks are great for stimulating your baby and keeping them soothed, we've found that these mittens excel in different ways.
Gummee Glove - Best all-rounder
Nuby Teething Mitt - Best for eager chewers
Oliver the Puppy Yummy Mitt - Best handmade option
Liname 2 Pack Deluxe Teething Set - Best mitt and toy duo
NEPAK 2 Pcs Teething Mitten - Best for colourful designs
Wendergo Teething Mittens for Babies - Best for absorbing drool
You can find out more about our teething mitten top picks below.
1.
Gummee Glove
Best all-rounder
Description
If your baby can't hold a teething ring for long, this Gummee Glove is the perfect solution. It comes with a detachable teething ring too, so you can chill it in the fridge first.
Pros: Provides easy access for chewing and sensory exploration
Cons: We can't think of any
Tested by mum of three, Melanie Hudson: "If only the Gummee Glove was available when I had my other two children. We ordered one of these for our baby girl, Charlotte, at three months old when we noticed that everything was going in her mouth. The moment I gave her it, she loved it."
Best for eager chewers
Description
This teething mitt is perfect for babies who want to chew everything they get their hands on. The textured silicone provides comfort and soothing stimulation for sore gums. It has a safe velcro strap to prevent little ones from scratching themselves, and the crinkle-bear fabric helps stimulate their senses.
Pros: Highly rated on Amazon, silicone is BPA free
Cons: Some reviews mention the glove was quite big on smaller babies
Review: "This is brilliant! My baby started teething super early and has a visible tooth coming through at just 3 month so the teething toys would not work for him, he loves putting this on or me holding it for him to chomp on since without it he’s trying to fit both of his hands in his mouth! Highly recommend."
Best handmade option
www.etsy.com
Description
Not only will little ones experience relief from the pain of teething thanks to The Yummy Mitt, but they will also have plenty of sensory stimulation when they wear it. It's got multiple textures, patterns, crinkle patch areas and a variety of colours for them to enjoy. We're sure they'll love that it's designed to look like a puppy too.
Pros: Can be worn on both the left and right hand
Cons: Most expensive teething mitten on our list
Review: "My baby LOVES her teething mitten!!😍🥰🎀 cutest design and most amazing quality!!!"
Best mitt and toy duo
Description
You'll get two different types of teething solutions in this set. It's got a teething mitten with an adorable and colourful polka dot pattern on it, plus a turtle teething toy. The mitt has a gently textured surface that delicately massages irritated gums. While babies will love the mitt's soothing effects, parents will be just as thrilled to hear it's machine washable.
Pros: A mitten and a toy are included in the pack
Cons: Some parents felt the silicone end was a bit thick
Review: "Teething is painful for everyone but this set has definitely helped."
Best for colourful designs
Description
These teethers are designed to fit in your little one's mouth more easily, with Velcro fastening around the wrists to ensure they stay on and won't fall off easily. Soft and stimulating with a cute print of hearts, stars, presents and elephants, this would be a great choice if your baby struggles to hold teething toys.
Pros: Includes mittens for both hands
Cons: Some parents found they come up big
Review: "Good quality. Our baby was really bad when teething, she would chew her hands all the time then we discovered these! Nuby do a similar product, for the price of 2 Of these."
Best for absorbing drool
Description
How cute are these dog-print teething mittens? These little gloves will help to soothe baby's teething pain and stop them from putting their fingers in their mouth. The silicone part is BPA-free and very durable, so it'll withstand a lot of chomping from your bubba. The rest of the mitt is made from a soft, breathable fabric that'll absorb your little one's drool well too.
Pros: Hook and loop strap so you can adjust the fit as your little one grows
Cons: Some parents thought they came up small
Review: "So many parents asked me where these mittens was from and always said how they’d never heard of them or seen them. They really helped our little girl with teething. Would 100% recommend and would definitely advise new parents to add them to their wish list!!"
Our verdict:
In our option, the best teething mitten for babies is the Gummee Glove. We love that it's got teethers on both sides so that it can be worn on either hand. Plus, the teething ring on the top can be detached and popped into the fridge so it can provide some cooling relief to bubba's sore gums. It's also easy to clean as it can be machine washed on a low heat. The laundry bag provided makes the cleaning process even easier and can be used as somewhere hygienic to keep the mitt when it's not in use.
FAQs
When do babies start teething?
Your baby usually starts teething from around six months old (although it can kick in significantly earlier or later), so it's good to be on the lookout for those teething symptoms such as dribbling, discomfort, being clingy or cranky, flushed cheeks and chewing their fingers. It'll also be noticeable if your baby's gums are sore and red where the teeth are beginning to come through. Or they're often found rubbing their face or ear.
What can I do to help a baby with teething pain?
Teething can turn even the calmest of babies into a screaming mess. It can be hard watching your little one experiencing discomfort but there are a few things you can do to help ease the pain while they're teething.
Offer them something cold to numb their gums
Depending on your little one's age, this could be a teether that's been chilling in the fridge, some cold water in a cup or chilled fruit purées.
Give them medicine
You can give your baby paracetamol from two months and ibuprofen from three months. Just make sure it is suitable for babies before you give them it.
Apply warmth to the affected areas
Did you know that warmth can ease aching gums and help teeth to break through? For that reason, you may find giving your baby a clean flannel soaked in warm water to suck on may help to relieve any discomfort they are having.