You bought the teething toy. You picked the cutest one. You sterilized it. You handed it to your baby.

And then your baby looked directly at you, dropped it on the floor… and went straight back to chewing their hand.

Sound familiar?

If your baby won't use a teething toy, you're definitely not alone. Babies are natural explorers, and putting their hands, toys, blankets—and basically anything they can reach—into their mouths is a normal part of development.

But when your little one seems determined to chew everything except the teether you bought for them, it can leave you wondering: What am I doing wrong?

Probably nothing.

There are actually several reasons babies don't immediately take to traditional teething toys. And understanding what's going on can help you find a teething solution that works better for your baby's age, abilities and stage of development.

First: Why Do Babies Chew Everything?

Mouthing is one of the ways babies learn about the world.

Around three months of age, babies begin exploring with their mouths and often start putting their hands in their mouths more frequently. This can happen before their first tooth ever appears.

As babies get closer to teething, chewing can become even more noticeable. Increased chewing, drooling and gnawing on fingers, toys and other objects can all be signs associated with teething.

So if your baby is chewing everything in sight, they're not necessarily being picky.

They're being a baby.

The challenge is finding something they can actually use comfortably and independently.

7 Reasons Your Baby Won't Use Their Teething Toy

1. They Can't Hold It Yet

This is one of the biggest problems with traditional teething toys.

A lot of baby teethers are designed around the assumption that your baby can pick up the toy, hold onto it and successfully maneuver it into their mouth.

But very young babies are still developing those skills.

They may be able to grab a toy for a few seconds, but getting it into exactly the right spot on their gums—and keeping it there—is a completely different challenge.

That's one reason babies often go right back to their hands.

Their hands are already attached.

And that's exactly why we invented the Munch Mitt.

The Munch Mitt® is designed to give young babies something to chew on without requiring them to master the grip needed to hold a traditional teether.

It's a teething mitten that goes on their hand, rather than asking them to hold something in it.

The result?

Less chasing dropped teethers across the floor and more opportunity for your baby to independently soothe their gums.

[SHOP THE MUNCH MITT →]

2. They Actually Prefer Their Hands

If your baby is constantly chewing their fingers, you might assume they don't like teethers.

But there may be another explanation.

Your baby's hands are familiar, easy to access and always available. They can control exactly where their fingers go and how much pressure they apply.

For a baby who is just beginning to explore their mouth, that can make their own hands a very appealing teething tool.

In fact, chewing fists or hands is considered a normal baby behaviour and isn't necessarily a sign that your baby is hungry or ready for solid foods.

Instead of constantly trying to pull your baby's hands out of their mouth, give them an appropriate way to redirect that chewing instinct.

That's where a teething mitten can be especially helpful.

3. The Teether Is Too Big for Their Mouth

Not all teethers are designed for the same stage of development.

A large teething ring might be perfectly comfortable for an older baby but awkward for a younger baby who is still figuring out how to coordinate their hands and mouth.

If your baby grabs the teether, tries it once and immediately spits it out, the issue may not be that they dislike teething toys.

The toy may simply not be a good fit for their current developmental stage.

When choosing a baby teether, think about:

• Your baby's age
• Their ability to grasp objects
• How easily they can bring the teether to their mouth
• The size and shape of the teether
• Whether they can use it independently
• The texture they seem to prefer

The best teething toy isn't necessarily the one with the most bells and whistles.

It's the one your baby can actually use.

4. They Don't Like the Texture

Babies can be surprisingly particular.

Some love soft, flexible textures. Others want something with more resistance. Some babies like textured surfaces that massage their gums, while others immediately reject anything unfamiliar.

And that's okay.

Teething is not a one-size-fits-all experience.

If your baby doesn't like one teether, try a different shape or texture rather than deciding that they simply "hate teethers."

You may just not have found their teether yet.

5. They Want to Chew Something They Can Control

Here's something parents sometimes overlook:

Babies like being in control.

Your baby may not want you putting a teether into their mouth. They may want to decide where, when and how they chew.

That's part of why self-directed mouthing is so common.

A good baby teether should give your little one an opportunity to explore independently while you're supervising them.

The Munch Mitt was designed with exactly that idea in mind.

Instead of handing your baby a traditional teether and hoping they can figure it out, the Munch Mitt stays attached to their hand while they explore, chew and soothe.

6. They're Teething Before You Think They Are

Not every baby follows the same teething schedule.

Many babies get their first tooth around six months, but some begin teething earlier and others later.

Before a tooth actually appears, you may notice:

• Increased chewing
• More drooling
• Sore or red gums
• Increased fussiness
• More frequent hand-to-mouth behaviour
• Gnawing on toys and other objects
• Changes in sleep

Some babies have very few symptoms, while others seem to let the entire house know that a tooth is on the way.

If your baby's chewing suddenly goes into overdrive, their mouth may simply be looking for something that feels good on their gums.

7. They're a Baby. They Change Their Mind Constantly.

This one might be the most important.

One day your baby loves something.

The next day they act like you've personally offended them by handing it to them.

Welcome to parenting.

Your baby's preferences can change as they develop. A teether they ignored at three months may suddenly become their favourite toy at five months.

So don't give up after one attempt.

Try offering the teether when your baby is calm rather than already frustrated. Let them explore it. Put it within reach during playtime. Try different textures and shapes.

And if they still throw it across the room?

That's okay too.

You can try again later.

So What Should You Give a Baby Who Chews Everything?

If your baby is constantly chewing their hands, fingers, toys and anything else they can reach, you're looking for something that meets them where they are developmentally.

For younger babies who are still learning to grasp and control traditional teethers, a teething mitten can be a great option because it doesn't require the same hand-to-mouth coordination.

That's the idea behind the Munch Mitt®.

We didn't invent it because babies needed another cute toy.

We invented it because babies were already chewing their hands—and we wanted to give them something better to chew on.

The Munch Mitt slips onto your baby's hand and gives them a textured silicone teething surface they can reach themselves.

No complicated grip.

No chasing a teether around the floor every 30 seconds.

And no trying to convince a tiny human that the expensive teething toy you just bought is, in fact, much more interesting than their own fingers.

Why Parents Love the Munch Mitt®

Designed for little hands
The mitten design makes it easier for young babies to access the teething surface.

Textured silicone for chewing
The textured silicone surface gives babies something satisfying to gnaw and explore.

Encourages independent exploration
Your baby can control where and how they chew.

Helps redirect hand chewing
Instead of trying to stop your baby from putting their hands in their mouth, give them a purpose-built surface to chew.

Made for the teething stage
Because sometimes the best solution is simply meeting babies where they already are.

Your Baby Isn't "Bad at Teething"

If your baby keeps rejecting traditional teething toys, don't worry.

They're not doing it wrong.

They may simply be telling you that the teether you're offering doesn't work for them yet.

Babies develop at different rates, and their ability to grasp, hold and manipulate objects changes quickly. A teething solution that works beautifully for a nine-month-old may be frustrating for a three-month-old.

So if your baby would rather chew their hands than hold a teething ring, take a step back.

Look at what they're already trying to do.

They're telling you what they need.

And if what they need is something they can chew without having to hold it, that's exactly why there's a Munch Mitt.

Ready to Give Those Little Hands Something Better to Chew?

Meet the Munch Mitt® — the original teething mitten designed to help babies soothe their gums while they explore, chew and learn.

[SHOP MUNCH MITT® →]

A Quick Note for Parents

Teething symptoms are usually mild, but not every symptom your baby experiences should automatically be blamed on teething. For example, there isn't good evidence that teething causes diarrhea.

If your baby has a fever, seems unusually unwell, isn't feeding normally, or you have concerns about their symptoms, check with your healthcare provider.

And as always, supervise your baby whenever they're using a teething product or any object they put in their mouth.

Frequently Asked Questions About Babies Who Won't Use Teething Toys

Why won't my baby use a teething toy?

Your baby may not have the hand strength or coordination to comfortably hold and maneuver a traditional teether yet. They may also prefer their hands, dislike a particular texture or simply not be interested in that specific teether.

Why does my baby chew their hands instead of a teether?

Babies naturally explore with their mouths, and their hands are always available and easy to control. Hand chewing can also happen around the time babies begin teething.

What is the best teether for a baby who won't hold toys?

For younger babies who aren't comfortable holding traditional teethers, a teething mitten can be an alternative because the teething surface is worn on the baby's hand rather than held in their fingers.

When do babies start using teething toys?

There isn't one exact age. Babies develop at different rates, and many begin putting their hands and other objects in their mouths around three months. First teeth commonly appear around six months, although there is considerable variation.

Should I stop my baby from chewing their hands?

Hand-to-mouth behaviour is a normal part of infant development. Rather than trying to prevent normal mouthing, parents can offer an appropriate teething product and supervise their baby while they use it.

Can a baby use a teething mitten instead of a teething ring?

Yes. A teething mitten is a different style of teething product designed to be worn on the baby's hand rather than held. This can be especially useful for babies who are still developing their ability to grasp and control traditional teethers.