Do babies need teethers? This is a very common question among mothers. Babies can begin teething at around 4 months of age. Unfortunately, teething comes with many discomforts. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends certain types of teethers and discourages other types. If you are wondering whether babies need teethers, and which teethers are recommended, keep reading.
In this post, the following will be discussed.
- What is teething?
- Symptoms of Teething
- Do babies need teethers?
- Why do babies use teethers?
- Buying Tips for Teethers
- How to Clean the Teether
- Benefits of Using a Teether
What is teething?
One of the challenging developmental stages for infants is teething. Teething is a major developmental milestone, and the first few teeth that babies get will hurt them tremendously. Babies may be easily irritable and frustrated at this stage. Teething stages differ from baby to baby. Each baby’s stage of development is distinct as well. Baby teething symptoms are believed to be indicated by drooling. However, teething infants occasionally fail to drool at all.
Symptoms of Teething: How do you know a baby is teething?
Babies who are teething may experience severe pain. Teething signs and symptoms include:
- More drooling
- Redness of the gums
- Irritability
- Have a rash on their face
- Not getting enough sleep
- Flushed cheek
- Chewing things a lot
- Sore and swollen gums
Parents frequently worry about calming their teething babies. Well, there are many different teething toys on the market. The teether toy applies pressure to the gums, causing the baby to numb the pain quickly. When babies chew their teeth, they experience comfort and relief.
Do babies need teethers?
No, they do not need teethers, but they could help. Many children use teethers to help with the pain that accompanies teething. If they do not have teethers, they may use toys and other objects to scratch their gums and teeth.
Why do babies use teethers?
Your baby might chew on anything she can get her hands on, including a bedsheet, toys, and other objects. Teethers are the best toy to give babies to chew on instead of anything else because they love to chew and teethe on anything they can find.
When babies begin teething, baby teethers help to relieve their swollen gums. Along with providing comfort to the baby, there are several reasons why babies prefer to put teething toys in their mouths to chew on. Babies typically start putting everything they can into their mouths at a young age, some of which can be dangerous. As a result, the baby is encouraged to move its tongue inside its mouth. The motion inside the mouth aids in the acquisition of speech sounds.
Buying Tips for Teethers
Many teething toys are on the market, including ones made of silicone, wood, plastic, and rubber. Usually, they are designed to be simple for the baby to grasp. They have various sizes, textures, colors, and shapes.
It is suggested to purchase toys designed especially for teething. Avoid using teethers that are liquid-filled or have plastic parts that could break, hurt, or suffocate small children. Find a teether free of BPA, phthalates, and other dangerous chemicals. Several baby teethers come with nontoxic labels but contain BPA, so parents should keep this in mind when purchasing teethers.
How to clean the teether?
Just as important as using a teether is cleaning it. An infant’s teether should be cleaned before use, and the method will depend on the material. You should carefully consider the toy before deciding whether to buy natural teething toys or teething rings for babies. Before choosing a toy as a teether for your child, be aware of its intended use, any potential safety risks, and other factors.
Also, choosing the best one will be easier if you keep the following features in mind.
If your teether is silicone, it needs a quick wash in warm, soapy water or a short run through the dishwasher.
If it is a wooden teether, wash it with soap and warm water when it’s time to clean, then let it air dry completely.
It’s crucial to avoid sterilizing teething toys with string, such as wooden or silicone beads, on pacifier clips. As an alternative, wash with warm, soapy water and thoroughly rinse. This kills germs while safeguarding the teether’s integrity.
It’s crucial to avoid sterilizing teething toys with string, such as wooden or silicone beads, on pacifier clips. As an alternative, wash with warm, soapy water and thoroughly rinse. This kills germs while safeguarding the teether’s integrity.
Teethers should first be soaked in hot water mixed with a mild dish detergent for a brief period, then in warm water mixed with white vinegar for a further 15 minutes. Rinse it under cool water before re-giving it to your baby.
Benefits of Using a Baby Teether
- Nowadays, parents are so busy, so they don’t have you might not always have the opportunity to massage their baby’s gums, but teethers provide a similar level of comfort.
- Babies explore the world by putting objects in their mouths, and unlike toys, your child can safely chew on a teether. They are free to continue exploring their great surroundings!
- They are holding a teether that teaches young children how to grasp various objects, a necessary life skill. Similarly, a baby’s jaw benefits from chewing on the teether’s edges as it trains its movements to eat.
- The baby can explore the shape, function, touch, and feel of the teether, stimulating their natural curiosity and increasing their awareness.
- Teething is a fantastic way to keep your baby active, engaged, and mentally stimulated.
In Conclusion “Do babies need teethers?”
I hope this guide gave some ideas about teethers. The best teethers provide your baby with comfort and entertainment. So choose the best teethers and enjoy each developmental stage of the baby.
Written by Saranya from Cocoril, a baby fashion blog site.
