Teething is one of those painful yet exciting milestones that every baby has to go through. With it comes lots of crying, irritability, and drooling. Thank goodness for teething toys, because teething babies love the soft chewy surfaces as they provide some much-needed comfort and relief to their inflamed gums.
Getting the right baby teething toys is important if you want to ensure the safety and comfort of your little one. You need to ensure that whatever toy you get is soft and gentle on those delicate gums and tiny teeth.
Teething toys come in a wide variety of materials. They can be made using rubber, silicone, plastic, or wood. The best ones are designed to fit your little one’s tiny hands, ready to be gnawed on with glee.
There are also teething toys that are designed to be chilled before use to offer some added numbing relief. Others are designed to grow with your little one, which means once they are not teething anymore, they can still play with the toys in other ways.
When Do Babies Start To Use Teething Toys?
For most babies, the first teeth come in at about 6 months. On average, most babies will have their first tooth by the time they turn 10 months old. By their third birthday, they will have all 20 baby teeth. If you have any concerns about your little one’s development, talk to your pediatrician.
That said, the first signs of teething usually start to show up many weeks in advance. At around 3 months, you may notice your little one starting to bring more and more things to their mouth and grinding their gums on them.
Other signs of teething include chewing, drooling, fussiness, sleep troubles, and swollen gums. If you notice any of these signs, and your little one can comfortably grasp things that are handed to them, they are likely ready for their first teething toy.
Before buying a teething toy, consider first offering some form of relief to see if it can help ease their discomfort. For example, you can chill a washcloth in the refrigerator and let them chew on it.
Final Thoughts
One of the unpleasant things that come with teething is biting, especially for nursing moms. If you are nursing, you may start noticing your little one biting you towards the end of feeding sessions. It can’t be avoided, so be prepared for it!
Additionally, as your little one drools, remember to keep their mouth area dry. You can use a bit of petroleum jelly on their chin to help them avoid any irritations. This is also the time to invest in bibs if you want to avoid wet clothes.
Teething toys will go a long way in helping your little one find some comfort and relief. Be sure to invest in several toys at once. This way, you can keep some of them stored away and only bring out “new” ones when your baby is particularly fussy. Keeping things fresh like this is a great way to keep your kiddo engaged and interested for longer.
At the end of the day, while teething can come with some unpleasantness, it is a milestone that won’t last forever. Your little one is growing up so fast and you should be proud!
