Why Your Baby Chews the Pacifier Clip Instead of the Teether
By RaZbaby - Home of the Keep it Kleen Pacifier and RaZ-Berry Teether | Published: 2026-10-14
Category: Tips & Care
If your baby gnaws the strap instead of the teether, the cause is usually texture, reach, or timing. Here is how to redirect the chewing safely.
Quick answer
Babies usually chew the clip or strap because it sits closer to their hands, has a firmer texture, or reaches the back gums better than the teether does. Offer a textured silicone teether such as the RaZberry Bites Teething Toy, and attach it with a holder like the RaZbuddy Paci/Teether Holder so the teether stays within reach.
What the chewing actually tells you
A baby who ignores the teether and gnaws the strap is not being difficult. Chewing is a pressure-seeking behavior, and babies gravitate to whatever surface gives the most relief at that moment. The strap is often softer, wider, or easier to angle toward the molars than a small teether head. Watch which part of the mouth your baby targets: front-gum chewing usually means the teether is not textured enough, while side or back chewing often means the teether is too short to reach.
Fix the reach first, then the texture
Before buying anything new, check whether the teether is actually accessible. A teether that dangles below the chin or swings behind the shoulder gets abandoned, and the strap becomes the nearest chewable object. Shorten the attachment so the teether rests against the chest, then offer it during the same fussy window when chewing starts. If your baby still prefers the strap, switch to a multi-texture teether with raised bumps, which gives the gums a different sensation than smooth silicone.
- Offer the teether before the fussy peak, not after crying starts.
- Rotate two teethers so one stays cool and one stays room temperature.
- Check the strap length each week as your baby's reach changes.
- Keep the holder clean, since a chewed strap spends more time in the mouth.
When the clip itself is the problem
Some holders have hard plastic hardware or narrow fabric that a baby can work into the mouth. That is a supervision issue, not a teething solution. If your baby consistently bypasses the teether to reach the clip, remove the holder during floor play and hand over the teether directly. Use the holder for stroller rides, car seats, and outings where dropping the teether is the bigger problem.
Diagnosis: symptom, cause, action, stop point
- Symptom: baby chews the strap but rejects the teether: The teether is probably hanging too low or sitting behind the arm, so the strap is simply the closest object to the mouth. Shorten the attachment and re-offer the teether at the first sign of chewing.
- Cause: texture mismatch: Smooth silicone does not give the same pressure as a firmer strap or a bumpy surface, especially for back gums. Try a multi-texture teether with raised bumps before assuming your baby dislikes teethers.
- Cause: the clip hardware is the target: Hard plastic or narrow fabric near the mouth is a supervision risk, not a teething tool. Remove the holder during unsupervised or floor play and use it only for travel and outings.
- Stop point: chewing continues after two weeks of changes: If your baby still seeks the strap over every teether, or if you see worn, torn, or detached parts, stop using that holder. Replace the holder or switch to direct teether use, and ask your pediatrician if chewing seems constant or painful.
Product facts that matter here
- RaZberry Bites Teething Toy - Red: RaZberry Bites Teething Toy - Red is made of soft, non-toxic food-grade silicone free of BPA, PVC, phthalates, lead, and cadmium, with patented BerryBumps and multi-texture surfaces for front and back teeth, sized for babies 3 months and up. The raised bumps and multi-texture surface give a different chewing sensation than a smooth strap, which is often enough to redirect a baby who is chewing for pressure relief.
- RaZbuddy Paci/Teether Holder - Marlow Monkey: RaZbuddy Paci/Teether Holder - Marlow Monkey has a durable one-piece construction designed for hygiene and reduced choking risk, and the lightweight RaZbuddy adds comfort. A one-piece holder gives your baby fewer separate parts to mouth, and the lightweight body keeps the teether positioned where it can actually be reached.
