A Parent's Guide on When to Use Teether for Baby

If you’re caught between an endless loop of sleepless nights and fussy days, it’s likely that your baby is teething. But there’s a way out for you and your little one that can help you soothe your teething baby - teethers. Now, you may have several questions like what is baby teether, is teether good for babies, when to use teether for baby and so on. Don’t worry, in this article, we will address all these questions and more.

Signs of Teething in Your Baby

First, let us understand the signs of teething in babies so that you can identify whether your baby is teething or not.

• Increase in drooling

• Chewing on objects

• Sore or swollen gums

• Crankiness and irritability

• Mild increase in temperature

If your little one is displaying two or more than two of these signs, it’s very likely they are teething. There are steps you can take to ease your baby’s symptoms and discomfort such as introducing a baby teether.

You may also like: A Parent's Guide to Teething Symptoms, Age, Chart & Remedies

What is Baby Teether?

First, let us understand teether meaning. A baby teether is a small, handheld toy for babies to chew on while teething. It helps to soothe and massage the baby’s sore gums and provides relief.

Teethers can be made from different materials like silicone, rubber, plastic and even wood. Some teethers are even filled with water so that they can be refrigerated and provide extra relief to baby’s teething gums.

Is Teether Safe for Infants?

As a parent, your baby’s safety is your primary concern and priority. This raises the question is teether good for babies. Yes, teethers are absolutely safe for babies when they are made from non-toxic materials and are used appropriately.

When to Use Teether for Baby?

Now that you know what a teether is and what it does, it’s natural to wonder when to give teether to baby. Most babies erupt their first tooth around 6 months of age, but some may start as soon as 2-3 months while others may break their first tooth as late as 9-10 months. Every baby is unique and so is their teething timeline. The best way to determine when to introduce a teether to your little one is to observe your baby’s cues.

If you notice your baby to be drooling excessively, chewing on objects or spot swollen or red gums, it means that your baby is experiencing teething troubles and needs a teether. However, not all babies experience discomfort during teething, some may have a smooth process. So, if you feel that your baby’s gums could use some extra relief, then offer them a teether.

You may also like: Home Remedies for Teething Babies That Really Work

How to Choose the Right Teether for Your Baby?

When it comes to choosing the best teether for your little one, there are several factors you need to pay attention to, such as:

1. Safe material

Teethers come in various materials such as silicone, rubber, plastic and wooden. You must select a non-toxic material like food-grade silicone or natural rubber. Additionally, materials that are durable, easy to clean and can be refrigerated are even better.

2. Age-appropriate design

While choosing a teether, pay attention to its design as your baby will be putting the toy in their mouth. Look for a teether that doesn’t pose any choking hazards, have any sharp or rough edges or small parts that could break off.

3. Easy to grip handles

Look for teethers that come with handles and are easy to grab for your baby’s tiny hands.

4. Multi-sensory features

Teethers with additional features like textured surface or vibrant colours can stimulate and engage your baby’s senses.

If you’re looking for a baby teether, then be sure to check Mylo Baby Water-Filled Teethers. Our teethers are made with 100% food-grade material, soothe sore gums, feature textured surface for gentle massage and can be refrigerated for extra relief.

Baby Teether Uses

While it is known that teethers provide pain relief during teether, their uses extend beyond just that. Here are five additional uses of baby teethers:

1. Relieve sore gums

Teethers primarily provide relief to sore gums during teething. When babies chew on the teether, it exerts a gentle pressure on their gums, which helps to soothe discomfort caused by erupting teeth. This can also help bring down soreness and swelling in baby’s gums.

2. Encourage oral motor development

When babies chew on the different shapes and textures of a teether, they engage their tongue, jaw and mouth muscles in multiple ways. This lays the groundwork for speech development and eating skills.

3. Stimulate multiple senses

Teethers come in different shapes, sizes, textures and colours, which help to stimulate the baby’s senses. This sensory stimulation, in turn, aids in their cognitive development.

4. Improve hand-eye coordination

Reaching for the teether, grabbing it and bringing it to their mouth, all help improve the hand-eye coordination of the baby.

5. Enhance fine motor skills

Handling the different shapes and sizes of the teethers and manipulating them with their fingers and hands help develop the fine motor skills of the baby.

How to Use Teether for Babies?

Now, let us understand the best practices to follow while using a teether for your little one:

1. Wash the teether

Before giving your baby the teether, make sure to wash it thoroughly with warm water and soap or according to the manufacturer’s instructions. Rinse thoroughly so no soapy residue remains.

2. Chill the teether

If possible, refrigerate the teether for 15-20 minutes to provide a cooling, numbing relief to your baby’s teething gums. Don’t place the teether in the freezer as it may turn hard or too cold for the baby.

3. Offer the teether to your baby

Now, you can hand the teether to your little one and let them explore it with their hands and mouths. Most babies instinctively start chewing on the teether but if they don’t, you can direct them.

4. Always keep an eye on them

No matter how safe the teether is, it’s better to supervise your baby while they’re using the teether to ensure they are using it safely and there’s no risk of choking.

5. Wash after every use

It is essential to wash the teether after every use so that there’s no buildup of germs and bacteria. You can wash it with warm water and soap and follow by a thorough rinse.

6. Check for wear and tear

Keep checking the teether regularly for any signs of damage like cracks, tears or loose and broken parts. If you notice any damage, replace the teether immediately.

7. Rotate teethers

It’s ideal to have multiple baby teethers and keep rotating them to keep up your baby’s interest and provide a variety of stimulation. This will also ensure that your baby always has a clean teether to chew on.

The Bottomline

Teething is a big milestone for your little one. By knowing the telltale signs of teething, when to use teether for baby, how to choose the right teether and the best way to use it, you can support them through this developmental phase. Remember, every baby is unique and their teething timeline and preferences for teething toys may also be different. So, cater to your baby’s needs keeping this in mind.