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Teethers for Soothing a Teething Baby’s Tender Gums

Babies like to put toys in their mouths. They chew, bite, and munch on their toys. Why do babies like teethers so much? 

Teething is a process that many parents wait anxiously for, but dread, when it comes to their newborn’s development. Anywhere from the first few months of age through their first year, babies are often teething. Many parents believe their babies are teething when they start to drool. Parents often search the child’s mouth for their first teeth by rubbing their hands along their gums, looking and feeling for newly emerging teeth. Babies are given teethers. Teethers are toys that a baby can put into their mouth when new teeth are developing. 

It is true; babies do get some comfort and relief by chewing on toys, like teethers, when their teeth are growing in. Tender gums might feel better when light pressure is applied. 

Teething Symptoms and Treatments

Just like every person is different, every baby is different. The types of toys that one baby likes might be very different than another. 

Some parents prefer using teethers that can be chilled in the refrigerator, providing a soothing coolness to baby’s gums if the child puts it in their mouth. Be careful not to freeze the teether to long. It could hurt and be uncomfortable to a baby’s delicate gums. Some teethers have a vibration when a baby bites down on the toy which can also provide relief, too.

Reasons Why Babies Use Teethers                      

There are many other reasons though why babies like to put teether toys in their mouth to chew on. It is not always for relief when their teeth are emerging.

It is part of child development that babies will try to put things into their mouth at an early age. All that mouthing and munching encourages a baby to move their tongue inside their mouth. This gives the child awareness of their mouth. These motions help to lay the foundation for learning speech sounds as babies begin to babble while learning to say their first words, “mamama” and “dadada” and “bababa.”

Since babies love to chew on items, especially when they are teething, parents should not be surprised if they bite on blankets, favorite stuffed toys, edges of baby books, keys, their fingers, or even their parents’ fingers. Since babies like to chew and teethe on whatever they can find, there are even necklaces and bracelets that are designed for parents to wear that are a safe alternative for baby to teethe on.

Teether Buying Tips

Teethers are made from all types of materials. Some are made from rubber, silicone, plastic or wood. Teethers can be bought in different shapes, colors, and sizes. Many toys also have different textures on them, to appeal to a child’s interests. Many teethers are round, so they are easy for a baby to grip and hold before they bring it to their mouth. 

Always supervise a baby while they are using a teether. While choosing a teether, look for one that your baby will be able to hold and safely put in their mouth. A teether that is too big or too small could be a safety hazard.

An important thing to keep in mind while choosing a teether is to verify that it is safe for the baby to put into the mouth. Choose only phthalate and BPA-free teethers for your child. Find out if the teether is made from non-toxic paint. 

Cleaning Teethers and Toys

Create a good plan for cleaning and sanitizing teethers and rattles to reduce the spreading of germs, especially if there are other babies around who might want to put the toy in their mouth. Keep sanitizing wipes handy in case the toy falls on the floor. Wash toys regularly with soap and water. Many toys can also be placed on the top rack of the dishwasher.

Credit to: verywellfamily.com

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Most babies get their first tooth between 4 and 7 months. But there’s a wide range of when it’s considered “normal” to start teething.

Some infants are early teethers — and it usually isn’t anything to worry about! If your little one starts showing signs of teething around 2 or 3 months, they may be just a bit ahead of the norm in the teething department.

Well, it is time to get some good teether for your baby.

Check out our Teether Collection section >> Click Here to Check out More

Baby First Solid Food

At 6 months of age, breastmilk continues to be a vital source of nutrition; but it’s not enough by itself. You need to now introduce your baby to solid food, in addition to breastmilk, to keep up with her growing needs.

Be sure you give your baby her first foods after she has breastfed, or between nursing sessions, so that your baby continues to breastfeed as much as possible.

When you start to feed your baby solid food, take extra care that she doesn’t become sick. As she crawls about and explores, germs can spread from her hands to her mouth. Protect your baby from getting sick by washing your and her hands with soap before preparing food and before every feeding.

                                                            
Your baby’s first foods

When your baby is 6 months old, she is just learning to chew. Her first foods need to be soft so they’re very easy to swallow, such as porridge or well mashed fruits and vegetables. Did you know that when porridge is too watery, it doesn’t have as many nutrients? To make it more nutritious, cook it until it’s thick enough not to run off the spoon.

Feed your baby when you see her give signs that she’s hungry – such as putting her hands to her mouth. After washing hands, start by giving your baby just two to three spoonful’s of soft food, twice a day. At this age, her stomach is small so she can only eat small amounts at each meal.

The taste of a new food may surprise your baby. Give her time to get used to these new foods and flavors. Be patient and don’t force your baby to eat. Watch for signs that she is full and stop feeding her then.

As your baby grows, her stomach also grows and she can eat more food with each meal.


Feeding your baby: 6–8 months old

From 6–8 months old, feed your baby half a cup of soft food two to three times a day. Your baby can eat anything except honey, which she shouldn’t eat until she is a year old. You can start to add a healthy snack, like mashed fruit, between meals. As your baby gets increasing amounts of solid foods, she should continue to get the same amount of breastmilk. 


Feeding your baby: 9–11 months old

From 9–11 months old, your baby can take half a cup of food three to four times a day, plus a healthy snack. Now you can start to chop up soft food into small pieces instead of mashing it. Your baby may even start to eat food herself with her fingers. Continue to breastfeed whenever your baby is hungry.

Each meal needs to be both easy for your baby to eat and packed with nutrition. Make every bite count.

Foods need to be rich in energy and nutrients. In addition to grains and potatoes, be sure your baby has vegetables and fruits, legumes and seeds, a little energy-rich oil or fat, and – especially – animal foods (dairy, eggs, meat, fish and poultry) every day. Eating a variety of foods every day gives your baby the best chance of getting all the nutrients he needs.

If your baby refuses a new food or spits it out, don’t force it. Try again a few days later. You can also try mixing it with another food that your baby likes or squeezing a little breastmilk on top.


Feeding non-breastfed babies

If you’re not breastfeeding your baby, she’ll need to eat more often. She’ll also need to rely on other foods, including milk products, to get all the nutrition her body needs.

  • Start to give your baby solid foods at 6 months of age, just as a breastfed baby would need. Begin with two to three spoonful’s of soft and mashed food four times a day, which will give her the nutrients she needs without breastmilk.
  • From 6–8 months old, she’ll need half a cup of soft food four times a day, plus a healthy snack. 
  • From 9–11 months old, she’ll need half a cup of food four to five times a day, plus two healthy snacks.

Credit to: unicef.org

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When baby is ready to start eating solid at the age of 6 months, it is time to get some feeding tools.

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