Teething is an important event in the life of a child. During this period, the milk teeth (also known as deciduous or baby teeth) grow in, typically between 6 and 10 months of age. However, teething symptoms may be imminent from as young as 3 to 4 months of age. During the process of teething, your baby may become exasperated and choleric due to the pain and distress he/she is going through. At this phase, chewing on things becomes of high importance. It is the natural urge of the baby and the best way to relieve the anguish of teething that your baby may be facing. That is why knowing how to choose a teether for your baby is crucial for your baby’s well-being. Even if you’re looking for a baby shower gift for somebody else’s baby, baby teethers and teething toys are an excellent choice!
Table of Contents
What to keep in mind while choosing a teether
Safety
The most significant, largest, and the most decisive factor which goes into choosing the most suitable teether for your baby is whether the teether is safe for the baby or not. Teethers are articles which are meant for the purpose of being inside the mouth of the child, on which the child applies the force of his/her gums. That is why being perfectly sure of the teether’s components and quality before choosing to give it to your baby is a must. The teether should not contain any toxic components. Please do not choose any teether containing toxic paints (such as those containing lead), PVC, BPA, and phthalates. Think about making sure the teether is hypoallergenic as well. A food-grade, safe to chew on, and fully certified according to the EU safety regulations, teether is the best teething toy to give to the baby, such as this one.
The teether must also not contain any small parts which may present a serious choking hazard for your baby.
Durability
A teether that can withstand rough play, biting, sucking and chewing is the best teether to choose for your baby. Also, ensure that the teether does not become a hazard for choking or injury. Splinters, breaking into small ingestible parts, and uneven surfaces (such as rugged or cracked, before or after their use) of the teether are harmful to the baby. Teethers exhibiting these characteristics must not be given to the baby to use. In the case of a beaded teether, the thread should have double knots. Teethers in use should be inspected frequently for any of the aforementioned discrepancies. Standard toys should not be used as teethers. Plastic, silicone, and wood are the most favorable durable materials that teethers are made of.
Texture, Grip, and Clips
A teether that has different, unique edges easy for the baby to grip with the fingers is a great choice. This is because the teether is less likely to fall on the floor, and your baby can use it for longer without interruption. However, keep in mind this texture should not have any rough edges that may groove into the baby’s gums, as they may cause discomfort and injury.
Clips are also useful for making sure the teether does not fall or get displaced. They are useful to attach the teether to the clothes which the baby is wearing.
Additional Features
Freezer Friendly
Some teethers are freezer friendly. They contain gel, and after they have been kept in the freezer, the temperature of the teether cools down. This provides immense relief to babies dealing with soreness and inflammation of the gums during teething. A lot of silicone teethers are available in the market nowadays, which are freezer friendly.
Style
Once the major criteria for choosing a teether for your baby are crossed off the checklist, all that’s left to consider is style! Choose a teether with attractive fun colors, or colors that match the baby’s wardrobe, it’s all up to the imagination!
It is important to remember that the teether of choice must be easy to clean and cleaned regularly to keep it safe for use. This article provides you every point you must keep in mind while choosing the best teether for your baby.