If your child has started to put things in their mouth, you’ve probably been looking for a safe baby teether or trying to learn what the best teething toys for them would be.
While there are plenty of teethers available today, you may have some concerns: Should it be silicone or wood? Soft or hard? What are teething rings? At what age should your child use a teether?
In this blog, we will cover everything you need to know about teethers from when to use them to the best teether material to teething toys we reccommend. But before we get there, let’s begin by understanding exactly why babies need teethers.
Why do babies need teethers?
If your child is a few months old, you may have noticed that they now put everything they can get their hands on into their mouths. For teething babies, biting into something is a way to explore the sensation and reduce the pain of their swollen gums.
The most common reason for this is that their first few teeth are growing! For teething babies, biting into something is a way to explore the sensation and reduce the pain of their swollen gums.
Some signs that they are teething may include excessive drooling, constantly being cranky or irritable, having sore gums, or even running a mild temperature. You could even gently run a finger along their gums to feel for any growing teeth.
When their tongues run over objects, they are also able to explore their own mouths and learn how to make different sounds.
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In both cases, teether toys are good to have as this gives your child something to play with, bite, and explore. The best time to give your child a teether is usually when they are between 4 to 10 months old.
Why we recommend wooden teethers
From plastic to silicone, there are all sorts of teethers available in the market today, each one shinier than the previous!
While teethers and rattle toys do need to attract a child’s attention, keep in mind that most of them are specifically designed to wind up in your child’s mouth. This means that above all else, they have to be safe.
We believe that the best teethers are made of wood and designed to be light, textured, and easy to hold. Some other reasons we love wooden teethers are:
1. Wooden teethers are durable - Teethers and teething toys made of wood do not break easily. They are durable and with the right care, can last a really long time. All you have to do is make sure it stays sanitary. To clean the teether, wipe it down with a mild soap every now and then and allow it to air dry.
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2. They are eco-friendly - As we already discussed, wooden baby teethers are long-lasting so you do not need to keep replacing them. To add to that, they are made of beechwood, ivory, and neem, all of which are found in plenty and are fast-growing plants. This makes these teethers a better choice for the environment too.
3. Wooden teething toys have antibacterial properties - Most plants used in teething toys like neem and beechwood have antibacterial properties which not only make them good for your child to bite into, they can also help soothe aching gums.
4. Wooden toys are safe to take in the mouth - From harmful chemicals like BPA to toxic paints and dyes, plastic teethers may pose a number of risks for your child’s health. Wooden teethers are a sureshot way to avoid any chemicals. Our teethers at shumee are also painted with organic colors and coated with natural beeswax, making them 100% child-safe!
5. Wooden teethers are hard to chew - This may seem counterintuitive, after all, isn’t the point of a teether to be able to chew on it? Not necessary! Children often just need something to put in their mouth and bite. In fact, resting their gums against the hard surface of wood can take the pressure off your baby’s swollen gums.
6. They provide a wonderful sensory experience - Wooden toys are smooth, textured, and wonderful for your baby to touch. Their natural feel, opposed to cold and hard plastic, will provide a delightful play experience! If you are worried about splinters, keep in mind that wooden teethers are made from hardwood so they will be sturdy and smooth.
7. Wooden teethers pave way for imagination - Like all organic and wooden toys, teethers made of wood are also less shiny, distracting, and overwhelming for a baby. The calming natural tones and gentle feel of the toy will help your child focus, develop their curiosity, and engage in quality play!
Teethers and teething toys we love
1. Wooden Crochet Teether and Rattle Ring
This lightweight ivory teether ring is perfect for your baby to hold in their hands or take in their mouth. The crochet made of organic cotton provides a wonderful tactile experience and the gentle sound of the rattle will soothe your child.
2. Striped Bunny Teether and Rattle
This adorable bunny-shaped teether and rattle is made of organic beechwood and painted using non-toxic colours. The soft plush toy with long and dangling ears could easily become your baby’s favourite bedtime toy!
3. Wooden Pirate
Ahoy matey! This handcrafted baby rattle and teether designed as a cute patched-eye pirate is an easy favourite. It is made of smooth, ivory wood and is safe for teething gums and tiny clutching hands.
4. Neem Teether Rattles
You could also take your pick from our selection of animal-themed neem rattles that double as teethers. A fish, a bear, an elephant, or maybe one of each — these textured and colourful toys are sure to be an instant hit.
Soothing a teething baby
Teethers can go a long way in soothing and relieving a teething baby, but there are a few more things that you could do.
You can try cooling the teething toy by leaving it in the refrigerator for a while. Make sure it doesn’t freeze as a cold toy can be soothing but a frozen one could increase their discomfort. You could even rub their gums with a clean cloth or give them soft foods like purees or applesauce.
We hope this blog has answered all your questions about teethers and teething babies. Teething can be a rough phase for a baby but remember that these are growing pains. This means that your baby is one step closer to eating solids, calling you mama, and speaking to you in complete sentences!