Why you should trust this review
I am a pediatric occupational therapist (OTR/L) who works with infants and toddlers on early sensory and motor development. I used the Manhattan Toy Winkel Rattle and Teether over about three months with infants in early intervention sessions and in a home setting, introducing it at the developmental stage when babies are just starting to practice voluntary reach and grasp. I bought our unit at retail and kept full editorial control of this review. No payment was accepted from Manhattan Toy or any retailer. Because the Winkel sits in the sensory and oral motor space, my evaluation focuses on what it does for a baby’s development, not just whether it feels sturdy in adult hands.
What makes the Winkel different from a standard teether
Most early teethers are a single shape: a ring, a key, a stick. The Winkel is a soft cage of looping plastic tubes around a rattle core. That open structure matters from an occupational therapy perspective. A newborn’s early grasp is reflexive and untargeted. By around three to four months, babies begin reaching deliberately, but their aim is still unreliable and their grip is whole-hand. A toy they can grab from any angle, rather than only from the handle, is a much better match for that skill level. In clinical observation across several infants, every baby who was placed within reach of the Winkel found a way to grasp it within a few seconds, even when their reach missed the center.
Sensory and developmental value
The internal rattle rewards movement with sound, which reinforces early cause-and-effect understanding. When a three-month-old shakes an arm and hears a rattle, the auditory feedback encourages the baby to repeat the action. That feedback loop is one of the building blocks for intentional motor control. The loops also offer a variety of tactile surfaces to mouth, which supports oral sensory exploration. For early gum sensitivity before teeth emerge, the smooth, cool-at-room-temperature plastic provides mild pressure without the rigid discomfort a frozen toy can cause. Manhattan Toy markets the product as made from BPA-free plastic; I am reporting the maker’s claim and have not independently verified the material composition.
Cleaning and the moisture-trap problem
This is the most important practical limitation. The same looping structure that makes the Winkel so easy to grasp also makes it genuinely difficult to dry. After surface cleaning, water sits inside the enclosed loop spaces. Unless the toy is shaken vigorously and then left to air-dry completely, moisture can remain trapped for hours. Over weeks of regular use, that trapped moisture creates conditions where mold can develop. I found this required more drying discipline than most parents expect from a simple teether. A flat silicone teether or a one-piece ring is far easier to clean and dry. If your cleaning routine is quick and informal, factor this in before choosing the Winkel as a daily-use teether.
Safety overview
Teether safety follows a short, firm checklist. The CPSC recommends supervising all teether play and checking for damage before each use. Any cracked, split, or broken loop on the Winkel is a reason to discard the toy immediately: a broken edge can cut gum tissue or, if a piece detaches, pose a choking risk. Keep the Winkel and all teethers well away from cords and ribbons, and never hang a teether around a baby’s neck. The AAP notes that teethers should not be frozen, as extreme cold can damage materials and cause discomfort. Check the CPSC recall database periodically to confirm no active recalls apply to your unit.
Who it is for
The Winkel is a strong choice for parents of babies from about three months who want a developmental toy that doubles as a teether for early gum sensitivity. Its grip accessibility makes it one of the easiest first objects for a baby to practice holding independently. It is less suited to babies in the thick of teething who need cooling or firm pressure relief: for those babies, a refrigerator-safe gel teether used alongside the Winkel covers more ground. If you prioritize easy cleaning above all else, a single-piece silicone option is lower maintenance. For most families in the early months, the Winkel earns its place as the first thing I put in the toy basket.