Plastic or silicone teether swap to Natural rubber or wood teether

Why make the swap

• Why switch to natural rubber or wood teether

  Natural rubber from the hevea tree or solid maple wood. Neither needs plasticisers.

• What's the concern with plastic or silicone teether

  Phthalates are used to make some plastics softer, and AAP notes some of them can interfere with male hormones. US rules cap eight phthalates at 0.1% in toys and teething items.

• General information, not medical advice. Ask your pediatrician before changing what your baby or child uses.

• Good to know before you buy

  Natural rubber: skip it if anyone in the house has a latex allergy. The maple teether is the latex-free choice. Wipe wood clean rather than soaking it. Check it before each use and throw it away if cracked or torn. FDA warns against teething necklaces and jewelry.

  Calmies 100% natural rubber teether: Natural rubber: skip it if your baby or anyone in the house has a latex allergy.

• Sources (3)

  1. CPSC phthalate rule for toys and teethers (opens in a new tab)
  2. FDA: teething jewelry such as amber necklaces has caused deaths and serious injuries (warning since Dec 2018) (opens in a new tab)
  3. AAP 2018 policy: food additives and child health; some phthalates are antiandrogenic; bisphenols; glass or steel when possible (opens in a new tab)

  Health and safety facts on this page come from these sources. What a pick is made of comes from its maker's listing or website, as stated on the date we checked.