Here is a truly unique product: the HeartString Baby’s Companion is designed as a breastfeeding aid, pendant, and teether, all in one. It is a touchable, tuggable, teethable product you can wear and baby can enjoy during breastfeeding, as a teether, or just as another way to bond with baby. When feeding or breastfeeding, it’s designed to keep baby’s interest where it belongs - at the breast. Likewise, Dad can wear it around his neck at feeding time to keep continuity between Mom feeding and Dad feeding, and also to keep baby interested. HeartString Baby’s Companion is non-toxic, containing no BPA, phthalates, PVC, lead or latex. It comes in a drawstring pouch, and is available in a number of colors. You can purchase one for $27.95 CAD (about $24 USD) at HeartStringCompanions.com. It would also make a great gift idea for a new parent.

I bought one of these fun teethers when my middle daughter was an infant, and my six month old is now enjoying it. This bright yellow ball is easy for little hands to manipulate, and when it makes it into her mouth, the little nubs soothe her gums. This, along with Sophie the Giraffe, is her favorite teething toy these days. Best of all, this one is very affordable. You can purchase one on sale for $5.25 at amazon.com.

Yesterday the FDA announced that Castillo Distributor has issued a nationwide voluntary recall on its Monell’s Teething Cordial, Bar Code #7460840410019. The teething cordial is also sold under the Spanish name Cordial de Monell para la Denticion. Reports of infants becoming lethargic after using the teething cordial have increased, prompting the voluntary recall. Customers are asked to contact Castillo at 201-641-7799 or by email at castillodist2@hotmail.com for instructions on how to return the product.

When your child is teething, you want to do anything you can to relieve the pain.  Many of the water-filled teethers on the market, though, have always struck me as a bit flimsy and unsafe.  With so much in the news about BPA and its risks, the benefits of a high-quality, chemical-free teether have never been more obvious.  I quite like this apple teether from the German company Natursutten. The cute apple-shaped ring is filled with purified sterilized water, and is completely free of chemicals.  Tiny nubs on the ring provide addition comfort for sore, swollen gums.  You can cool it in the fridge for added comfort.  You can purchase one of these natural soothers for $12 at tottini.com.

This teether must have been based on the idea that a child will put anything into his mouth. It’s their way of identifying new objects while at the same time soothing those sore gums during teething. The entire body of Earl E. Bird is designed for teething. It has textured feet and plastic ringed wings. It squeaks and crinkles to tickle your child’s imagination and it’s machine washable so your child will get plenty of use out of it.

You can order Earl E. Bird at OneStepAhead.com for just $9.95. This would make a good stocking stuffer and gift because it’s unique and practical.

With Christmas on its way, I’ve been considering presents for my new little one. Though it’s not a grand purchase, the RaZBaby RaZ-Berry Silicone Teether is a fun stocking stuffer. Available In happy colors with a functional design, the teether/pacifier is non-toxic and freezer safe.

This could be a gift for any little one — it’s not gender specific. Buy it for the little boy and the little girl on your holiday gift list. Best of all, it is only $3.95 at babyearth.com.

This cute little toy from Speesees is a great alternative to plastic teethers.  Made from 100% organic canvas and stuffed with 100% organic cotton, this organic rabbit toy is absolutely safe for little ones to put in their mouths, and feels great on swollen gums. It can also be thrown in the washing machine if it starts to get a bit dirty.

If organic fabrics and fair trade practices are important to you, this is a great purchase.  It would also make a cute shower gift–either on its own or as a present topper or gift-basket addition.  You can purchase one for $12 at WildDill.com.

Babies and toddlers teethe on the edges of their pillows and blankets — even on their own clothing. There’s something very soothing about the fabric rubbing against their sore gums that satisfies them. This makes these Organic Teething Bonbons™ by Dress Me Up a natural. I like the concept especially because it’s simple, it makes natural sense, and it’s easy to use and to keep clean.

Construction from naturally anti-bacterial wool and organic cotton flannel make Teething Bonbons™ safe. Untie knots before machine or hand washing in cold water.  Delicate dry or line dry.

You can purchase this unique teether for $10.95 at naturalpod.com.

Chan Pie Gnon comes from the French word champignon, which means mushroom. Chan (blue), Pie (pink), and Gnon (yellow) are adorably mushroom-shaped soft chew toys. This Chan Pie Gnon Yellow Teether made by Vulli is handmade in the French Alps with the finest natural rubber (phthalate-free) and food quality paints.

Babies put everything in their mouths, to begin with, so giving them a teething toy that is chemical-free, easy to clean, and shaped so that baby can easily hold onto it, is important. These Chan Pie chews make a  happy sound when squeezed that will entertain your baby.

To clean, simply wipe with a warm damp cloth. Do not immerse the teether in water. This measures 5 inches in height and is  recommended for ages newborn - 2 years. Besides yellow, it also comes in blue and pink.

You can purchase one for $13.90 at KangarooBoo.

I love just about anything from Kathe Kruse.  You pay a little bit more for these products than for some other toys, but they are absolutely worth every penny.  We are currently in the process of trying to weed all of the plastic nonsense out of our toy collection.  When I saw this little teether, I just knew that I had to have it for baby number three.

The Kathe Kruse Organic Grabbing Gnome Moon and Stars is made in Germany of organic cotton and stuffed with wool.  The wooden ring is perfect for teething, and the sweet gnome is sure to become a good friend.  You can purchase one for $23.99 at Oompa.com.

If you are looking for a unique new baby gift or a keepsake for your own infant, check out this birth record teether from The Silver Gallery.  Handcrafted in the United States by Web Sterling, the teether is made of pure sterling silver that preserves your child’s teethmarks as a unique and lasting memory.

This great keepsake is available in blue, pink, or white, and can be engraved with your baby’s birth record including weight, date, and even time of birth.  You can purchase one for $46 at silvergallery.com.  Personalized engraving is an additional $18.

Here is a nice, simple, and safe teether for parents who are looking for alternatives to plastic. Made from maple wood with a finishing layer of beeswax, it is designed to soothe gums naturally. It is easy for even a young baby to grasp, and will likely make a fun toy as well as a teether.

At $15, this teether is slightly more than others on the market, but it is certainly not unreasonably priced. After we move next month, I plan to focus seriously on ridding our home of plastic and otherwise annoying toys. I’ll likely be revisiting this product then.

I also think this would be a great shower gift for an eco-conscious mom-to-be. You can purchase the teether at estella-nyc.com.