5 Teething Toys for 3-Month-Olds UK

Soft, easy-grip teethers for young babies, compared for UK parents.

At three months, your baby has discovered their hands, and everything within reach is heading straight for the mouth. If you are wondering whether teeth are already on the way, you are asking one of the most common questions among new parents.

The honest answer is that chewing at this age is usually about exploration rather than teeth. The NHS notes that most babies cut their first tooth at around six months, though the timeline varies widely from baby to baby. Dribbling, fist-chewing and gnawing on your shoulder are normal developmental steps, and they tend to arrive months before any tooth appears. A soft teether gives all that chewing somewhere safe to go, which is why many parents start looking at three months rather than six.

We compared five options that suit young babies, with light weights, easy grips and no small parts. Every pick below is BPA-free and widely stocked in the UK.

1. Matchstick Monkey Original Teether, Best All-Rounder

The Matchstick Monkey Original Teether earns its popularity with a shape that young babies can actually hold. The slim limbs suit an early palmar grasp, and the bumpy texture massages gums while the back of the head doubles as an applicator for teething gel. The handle uses an antimicrobial BioCote coating, which helps between washes.

At three months, the appeal is simple: it is light, it stays in a clumsy grip, and there are no fiddly parts. An Amazon reviewer noted that their baby could hold it independently weeks before managing bulkier teethers. It goes in the dishwasher and the steriliser, so cleaning fits around feeds rather than adding to them.

Specs: food-grade silicone, BPA-free, dishwasher and steriliser safe, suitable from 3 months.

Pros: easy for tiny hands, gel applicator built in, simple to clean. Cons: costs more than basic keys, single-piece design means no variety of textures.

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2. Nuby IcyBite Keys, Best Budget Chillable Pick

The Nuby IcyBite Keys are the classic first teether for a reason. Three gel-filled keys hang on a chunky ring, and the gel sections can be chilled in the fridge so the cool surface soothes dribbling chins. The ring keeps the set together in a changing bag, which matters more than you would expect at 3am.

For a three-month-old, the keys are the right scale: slim enough to mouth, with nothing detachable to chase across the floor. Colours are bright without being garish, and the price leaves room in the budget for everything else a new baby demands.

Specs: gel-filled keys on a carrier ring, BPA-free, suitable from 3 months, chill in fridge (do not freeze).

Pros: low price, chillable cool relief, ring keeps keys together. Cons: gel-filled parts need surface washing only, keys suit mouthing better than back-gum chewing.

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3. MAM Bite and Relax Phase 1, Best for Front Gums

The MAM Bite and Relax Phase 1 is shaped for the front of the mouth, which is where the lower teeth eventually appear first. The curved body reaches the front gums comfortably, and the two surface textures let babies choose between smooth and nubby as they chew. It arrives with a clip and a steriliser box, so it survives the journey from steriliser to pram strap.

Weight is the quiet strength here. Young babies tire quickly when holding heavier toys, and this one is light enough for longer supervised chewing sessions. The included clip also means fewer retrievals from under the pushchair.

Specs: dual-texture BPA-free body, includes hygiene clip and steriliser box, designed for early teething stages.

Pros: curved for front gums, clip included, very light. Cons: shape suits fronts better than sides, box adds bulk to drawers.

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4. Joyreal Baby Sensory 13-Piece Set, Best Variety

The Joyreal Baby Sensory 13-Piece Set takes a different approach: instead of one teether, you get a collection of textured balls, rings and rattles with varied surfaces for curious mouths. At three months, when novelty holds attention for minutes at a time, rotating through pieces keeps chewing interesting across the day.

Use the larger textured pieces for mouthing and keep play supervised, as with any toy at this age. Several pieces double as bath toys later, which stretches the value well past the teething months. High-contrast colours also suit young eyes that are still learning to track.

Specs: 13-piece BPA-free set, mixed textures and sounds, suitable from 3 months with supervision.

Pros: lots of textures for the money, grows into bath and sensory play, bright colours. Cons: a set rather than one grab-and-go teether, needs a storage bag to stay together.

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5. Fisher-Price Rattle Maracas, Best Rattle That Gets Chewed

The Fisher-Price Rattle Maracas are not sold as teethers, but at three months the line between rattle and teether barely exists. The slim handles suit early grasping practice, the gentle sound rewards every shake, and the smooth rounded ends get thoroughly gummed within days. If grandparents ask what to buy, this is a safe answer.

They work best as a second purchase alongside a dedicated teether: the maracas for playmat time, a silicone option for full chewing sessions. Light, sturdy and easy to wipe down, they earn their drawer space.

Specs: paired maraca rattles, smooth chewable ends, lightweight build for early grasping.

Pros: great for grasping practice, gentle sound, affordable gift pick. Cons: not a dedicated teether, no texture variety for sore gums.

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What to Look for at 3 Months

Young babies need teethers with different priorities than older ones. Look for a weight your baby can lift one-handed, handles slim enough to close a fist around, and one-piece or securely joined construction with nothing that could work loose. BPA-free and phthalate-free materials are the baseline, and anything you can sterilise or put through the dishwasher will save real effort.

The old toilet-roll test still applies: if a piece could fit through the tube, it is too small for unsupervised mouthing. At three months, all chewing should happen with you watching, on a playmat or in your arms rather than in a cot or car seat.

Chilled Teethers at This Age

A cool teether from the fridge can calm dribbly chins, but cool means fridge, never freezer. Chill for 15 to 20 minutes, and if your baby fusses at the cold, offer it at room temperature instead. Gel-filled teethers should be wiped clean rather than submerged, so check the maker instructions before the first wash.

Our Verdict

If you buy one thing, make it the Matchstick Monkey for its grippy shape and easy cleaning. Add the Nuby IcyBite Keys for the changing bag and the MAM Bite and Relax if chewing centres on the front gums. And remember the NHS advice: teething alone does not cause fever, diarrhoea or rashes, so if symptoms go beyond dribbling and chewing, speak to your pharmacist, health visitor or GP.

Suggested reading: our full teething toy guide for all ages, best baby toys by age from 0 to 3 years, and the baby sleep schedule by age.

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Emma Clarke

Emma reviews baby gear for My Baby Now, prams, car seats, monitors, toys and everything in between. Parent of two, allergic to marketing fluff.

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Last reviewed: September 4, 2026 · Evidence-based content · Contains affiliate links