Teething & Pacifiers

Teething Toys, Baby Pacifiers and Soothing Essentials

Discover Gravitaly’s Teething & Pacifiers collection—a thoughtfully curated selection of baby teethers, cooling teething rings, silicone and natural-rubber pacifiers, pacifier holders, storage cases and practical accessories designed for different stages of early development.

Teething and sucking are normal parts of infancy, but every product placed in or near a baby’s mouth requires careful selection, cleaning and regular inspection. Choose products according to the manufacturer’s official age range, size guidance, materials and instructions—not solely by appearance or general category.

Always distinguish between:

• teethers and teething toys intended for chewing;
• pacifiers, also called soothers or dummies;
• pacifier clips and holders;
• pacifier comforters and soft attachments;
• feeding products that are not designed as teethers;
• medicinal teething gels or pain-relief products;
• decorative teething jewellery, which should not be treated as a safe substitute for an approved teether.

What Can You Find in the Collection?

Depending on current availability, the collection may include:

• silicone teethers;
• natural-rubber teethers;
• wooden teethers;
• multi-texture teething toys;
• cooling teething rings;
• solid refrigerated teethers;
• teething mittens;
• teething rattles;
• sensory teethers;
• toothbrush-style teethers;
• baby pacifiers;
• orthodontic pacifiers;
• symmetrical and anatomical pacifiers;
• silicone or natural-rubber pacifier nipples;
• night-time pacifiers;
• glow-in-the-dark pacifiers;
• pacifier clips and holders;
• textile pacifier holders;
• pacifier comforters;
• pacifier cases;
• sterilising boxes;
• travel-storage accessories;
• gift-ready teething and pacifier sets.

Availability varies. Check each individual product page for the exact contents, materials, age range, cleaning method, replacement guidance and safety instructions.

Understanding the Teething Stage

Babies develop at different rates. The first teeth commonly appear during the first year, but they may emerge earlier or later.

Possible signs associated with teething include:

• sore or reddened gums;
• increased dribbling;
• chewing and gnawing;
• one flushed cheek;
• restlessness or irritability;
• rubbing the gums or ear.

Teething does not reliably explain significant fever, diarrhoea or a baby appearing seriously unwell. Seek medical advice rather than assuming that concerning symptoms are caused by teething. NHS teething guidance

Choosing a Teether

Choose a teether according to:

• the baby’s exact age;
• the manufacturer’s developmental guidance;
• the product’s dimensions and shape;
• whether the baby can grasp it securely;
• the materials and construction;
• whether it contains liquid or gel;
• permitted cooling methods;
• cleaning and sterilisation instructions;
• the presence of seams, joints or detachable components;
• any latex or material sensitivity;
• whether the product is also classified as a toy.

A suitable teether should be large enough not to become a choking hazard, strong enough for its intended chewing use and free from accessible small components.

Do not give babies improvised household objects to chew. Keys, jewellery, remote controls, cables, bottle caps, adult toothbrushes and other everyday objects are not designed or tested as teethers.

Cooling Teething Rings Safely

Some teethers may be cooled in a refrigerator if the manufacturer permits it. Cooling can provide a soothing sensation for sore gums.

The NHS advises:

• follow the supplied chilling instructions;
• use the refrigerator rather than the freezer;
• never give a baby a teething ring that has frozen solid;
• never tie a teething ring around the baby’s neck.

A frozen teether may become excessively hard and damage sensitive gums. NHS guidance for helping a teething baby

Do not chill, freeze, heat, boil or microwave a product unless its instructions expressly permit that method.

Solid, Liquid-Filled and Gel-Filled Teethers

Inspect liquid- or gel-filled products especially carefully.

Stop using them if you notice:

• leakage;
• punctures;
• cloudiness or discolouration;
• damaged seals;
• swelling or deformation;
• unusual odour;
• mould or contamination;
• a change in the filling;
• damage caused by freezing or overheating.

A damaged filled teether should be removed immediately. Do not attempt to patch or repair it with glue, tape or heat.

Silicone Teethers

Food-contact-style or “food-grade” wording does not by itself confirm the safety of a complete teething product. Construction, dimensions, mechanical strength, colourants, attachments, traceability and intended age remain important.

Before each use, check silicone teethers for:

• cuts;
• tears;
• thinning;
• tackiness;
• bite marks;
• discolouration;
• damaged joins;
• loose decorative details.

Stretch and inspect the product only as instructed by the manufacturer. Replace it when damaged or at the stated interval.

Natural-Rubber and Latex Products

Natural rubber may change with use, heat, sunlight and age. It can become softer, sticky, swollen, cracked, darker or more porous.

Replace a natural-rubber teether or pacifier if it develops:

• cracks or splits;
• tackiness;
• swelling;
• peeling;
• an altered shape;
• visible deterioration;
• an unusual taste or smell;
• damage to the nipple or handle.

Natural rubber contains latex proteins and may be unsuitable for a child with a known or suspected latex allergy. Seek professional guidance if the baby develops swelling, hives, breathing difficulty or another possible allergic reaction.

Wooden Teethers

Use only products specifically manufactured and approved as baby teethers.

Inspect wooden teethers for:

• cracks;
• splinters;
• rough areas;
• swelling;
• flaking coatings;
• loose components;
• deep bite damage;
• separation where wood joins another material.

Do not substitute craft rings, untreated household wood, painted decorations or handmade jewellery components for a tested teether.

Wooden products may not be suitable for soaking, boiling, steaming or dishwasher cleaning. Follow the exact care instructions.

Teething Mittens and Textile Teethers

Check:

• the permitted age;
• fit around the wrist;
• fastening security;
• seams;
• silicone attachments;
• crinkle material;
• decorative labels;
• washing and drying instructions.

A mitten must not restrict circulation or become loose enough to detach unnoticed. Remove it during sleep and whenever active supervision is not possible.

Pacifiers and Soothers

Pacifier design and size should match the manufacturer’s age guidance. A pacifier may include:

• a nipple or teat;
• a shield;
• ventilation holes;
• a ring or handle;
• decorative components;
• glow-in-the-dark material.

Pacifiers sold for babies and young children in Europe are covered by specific safety requirements and test methods under European standard EN 1400. The complete product—not only the nipple material—must be suitable for its intended use. European Commission list of referenced product-safety standards

Never use:

• a bottle teat as a pacifier;
• a pacifier with a missing or damaged shield;
• a pacifier assembled from different products;
• an adult novelty pacifier;
• a homemade nipple or stopper;
• a product outside its official size or age range.

Choosing Pacifier Size and Shape

Pacifier ranges may be divided by age, size or developmental stage. These ranges are product-specific and are not interchangeable between brands.

Check:

• minimum and maximum recommended age;
• nipple size and shape;
• shield dimensions;
• material;
• ventilation holes;
• one-piece or multi-part construction;
• cleaning method;
• replacement interval;
• whether the baby was premature or has particular feeding or oral-health needs.

Terms such as “orthodontic,” “anatomical,” “symmetrical” and “breast-like” describe product features or positioning. They do not guarantee that every baby will accept the pacifier or that long-term use is risk-free.

Inspecting a Pacifier Before Use

Inspect the complete pacifier before every use.

Look for:

• tears or cuts;
• bite marks;
• thinning;
• swelling;
• stickiness;
• cracks;
• weakened joins;
• damaged ventilation holes;
• loose handles;
• trapped water;
• mould;
• discolouration;
• missing pieces.

Follow any manufacturer instruction to pull the nipple in different directions as part of the safety check.

Discard the pacifier immediately at the first sign of damage or weakness. Do not wait until the stated replacement date if deterioration appears earlier.

Cleaning and Sterilising Pacifiers

Clean and sterilise pacifiers according to the manufacturer’s instructions, particularly before first use and during early infancy.

Approved methods may include:

• boiling for a specified time;
• steam sterilisation;
• microwave sterilisation in a dedicated container;
• cold-water sterilising solution;
• dishwasher cleaning at a stated setting;
• washing with water and an approved detergent.

Not every method is suitable for every material.

After cleaning:

• allow the product to cool;
• remove retained water as instructed;
• check its temperature;
• inspect for deformation;
• store it in a clean, dry container;
• never give it to the baby while hot.

Do not clean a pacifier by placing it in an adult’s mouth. This can transfer microorganisms to the baby.

Pacifier Replacement

Follow the manufacturer’s stated replacement schedule. Replace the product earlier if it:

• becomes damaged;
• develops bite marks;
• changes shape;
• becomes sticky or swollen;
• weakens at a join;
• no longer cleans properly;
• has been exposed to excessive heat;
• is affected by a recall;
• has been used by another child.

Pacifiers are personal hygiene products and should not be shared between children.

Never Sweeten a Pacifier

Do not dip a pacifier in:

• honey;
• sugar;
• syrup;
• juice;
• medicine;
• jam;
• sweetened drinks;
• any other sweet substance.

Sweetening can contribute to tooth decay. Honey is also unsuitable for babies younger than 12 months because of the risk of infant botulism. Guidance from the American Academy of Pediatrics advises using an ordinary pacifier without coating it in honey or another sweetener. HealthyChildren.org oral-health guidance

Pacifiers and Sleep

Families should follow current safer-sleep guidance from their healthcare provider and the product instructions.

If a pacifier is used during sleep:

• do not attach it to the baby with a cord, ribbon, necklace or improvised clip;
• do not force it back into the baby’s mouth after it falls out;
• keep the sleeping area free from loose holders, comforters and accessories;
• inspect it before use;
• use only the correct size and intact product.

A pacifier holder suitable during supervised awake time should not automatically remain attached during sleep.

Pacifier Clips and Holders

Pacifier holders are intended to help secure a pacifier, normally to clothing. They require special attention because excessive length, loose beads, unsuitable clips or improvised cords can create strangulation, entrapment and choking hazards.

European guidance identifies EN 12586 as the standard covering safety requirements and test methods for soother holders. It also explains that holders with play value may additionally be treated as toys. European Commission guidance on soother holders

Before each use, check:

• the clip;
• cord, strap or textile section;
• beads and decorative parts;
• knots and joins;
• ventilation holes where applicable;
• the pacifier attachment;
• the total condition and length;
• manufacturer warnings.

Safety Gate alerts have documented soother holders presenting strangulation risks because they were