Since ancient times, babies have always been celebrated as welcome bundles of joy among families and couples. People usually come all over to celebrate with one another once a baby or child is born.
Gifts are also brought and given to the mother and child according to customs, and maybe based on gender.
But despite the importance of gifting mothers attractive and colorful toys, there is an important item that can be presented as a perfect form of gift which a mother can sincerely appreciate and the baby can gurgle joyfully to and that toy in question is what is known as a teether.
How to Help your Baby with Teething.
A teether is a perfect toy with many other uses especially for babies undergoing the compulsory but uncomfortable period of growing their first set of teeth.
The best teethers are toys that a baby can put into their mouth when new teeth are developing, and play and chew on it as a means of making their mouths feel better. Babies always get some comfort and relief by chewing on toys, like teethers, when their teeth are painfully growing.
Baby gums are tender during the teething process and you would definitely want the child to chew on something that will desperately provide him or her with relief.
Perks Of Using a Teether.
Now the teething period is mostly dreaded by the parents due to how much stress it causes for the health of both mother and child.
So one can imagine how nice and appropriate it would be to give your nursing friend yours an awesome gift such as this without having to break the bank. Teethers are now very popular and known to be a form of a pacifier, only that this time it is meant to be inserted and chewed by the baby.
Also as part of the early development process towards speech, infants would start rolling their tongues as they regularly chew or munch on a toy or teether and this, in turn, helps the child lay a good foundation for creating words from the mouth.
Different Types of Teethers
Teethers, like most baby items, are manufactured with different materials like rubber, silicone, plastic, or wood. They also come in different shapes and sizes for easy grip by the baby in order to prevent hazards of accidental swallowing.
There are varying forms that include the refrigerated types (for cooling the gums of the baby), the vibrating types to give the baby a good sensation on the tender gums, and the nubbed types that help clean milk and food residue from the baby’s gums and teeth.
The best and medically recommended ones are the soft hygienic silicone ones that are not made with toxic materials.
Though there are many toys and baby materials out there, this is definitely a good buy and a great example of what to give a baby either as a mother or a good wisher.
Rubber
Rubber teethers are normally soft and spongy and can be great for babies that already showing a few different teeth. Things to look out for with rubber teethers are to make sure that they are made with non-toxic materials which include no BPA, PVC, Parabens, or Phthalates.
The rubber teethers can be put in the fridge or freezer but due to being a good natural insulator, they won’t stay cold very long. Rubber can also be very good at picking up dirt, dust, and hair so cleaning and sterilising your rubber teether regularly and often is essential.
Water-Based
Water-based teethers are considered generally the best type of teethers available due to their safe usage and availability. Mothers swear by water-based teethers as they can be frozen and chilled as well as being soft and comforting to babies’ gums.
It is generally considered that a cold or frozen teether is better at soothing a baby’s gums due to the nice sensation the cold gives against the swollen gums of the child.
Things to look out for with a water-based teether are making sure they are toxic and pollutant-free as well as being boil-proof so that they can still be sterilised and cleaned properly.
Gel Based
Gel-filled teethers are a little harder to get hold of in today’s market but are still available if you look hard enough. The upside of using gel-based teethers is that they are usually filled with pure ice gel, which when frozen stays cooler for longer, this is the same stuff that’s used in reusable ice cubes.
Although this gel is safe for your child, it’s recommended that you keep a careful eye when your baby is using it as the little sharp teeth can split the casing and cause the gel to enter the mouth leaving a foul taste. These types of teethers aren’t suitable for sterilisation and can only be washed in warm soapy water and sterilised with wipes.
Wooden Teethers
Wooden Teethers are all-natural products with rounded edges which a great for relieving pain and also strengthening your baby’s jaw and gums. Things to look out for would be that the wood is tasteless and also that they are non-toxic and BPA-free.
Plastic Teethers
Plastic Teethers are normally a bit more of a budget option as plastic is cheaper to make this with, so if you are looking to conserve pennies, plastic might be the way to go.
They also normally come in much brighter colours which are good for younger babies as brighter colours are more pleasing to them.
Things to look out for are to ensure that you find one that is BPA-free, BPA is a synthetic compound that can be detrimental to the health of your little one.
Plastic Teethers
Cloth teethers sometimes also known as ‘taggies’ work very much the same as all the other teethers except that they are normally a cuddly toy or a small bit of fabric.
The best thing about taggies or cloth teethers is that they can easily be washed and cleaned in the washing machine with the rest of the baby’s clothes.
Silicone Teethers
Silicone teethers are my personal favorite, the material is soft and gentle on your baby’s gums and completely safe to use. Silicone can be sterilised for the safety of your baby and can also be found in really fun and colourful designs.
In Conclusion, how to help your baby with teething doesn’t have to a stressful and tiresome task. If you implement some of the teethers we have mentioned above you could also end up actually helping your baby develop their speech and motor skills at the same time.
