The safe teether guide

As a parent, it’s hard not to feel helpless as your baby gnaws anything and everything during the teething process. The sleepless nights make this teething-time a challenging one. One thing parents can do is give baby something safe to chew on. But, with so many choices available, what do you need to know about your teething safety? Here are some tips to helping baby through the teething process.

Teething Safety

Babies do not need medicine for their gums. Indeed, the Food and Drug Administration published a warning to parents to not use benzocaine products for children younger than 2 years, except if recommended by a doctor. Benzocaine is found in over-the-counter products like Anbesol, Hurricaine, Orajel, Baby Orajel, and Orabase. When presenting teething toys to baby, be mindful the toys do not pose a choking risk. Amber necklaces are often recommended to soothe baby’s gums. However, there is no evidence these products minimize teething pain. In addition, these necklaces can present a choking hazard if they break.

Teething Biscuits

Teething biscuits can be store bought or homemade. Some biscuits can be refrigerated or frozen to provide extra relief. However, use special caution when using teething biscuits. They can present a choking hazard if they break into smaller pieces in baby’s mouth.

Mom or Dad’s Finger

First, wash your hands. Next, rub baby’s gums with your finger. The counter-pressure helps ease baby’s sore gums. This is an easy way to treat baby’s gum pain that can be done anywhere.

Cold Washcloth

Freeze a wash cloth. As an alternative, you can dip the washcloth in breast milk instead of water.

Breastfeeding

Although some babies may experience fussy nursing behavior when teething, other babies may appear to nurse constantly when teething. During teething, “comfort nursing” provides baby with more than just a meal.

Teething Necklaces

Teething necklaces are a great way to present teethers for baby because anything worn by mom, is going to be fair game for baby to gum on. Lucky for mom and baby, Loulou Lollipop offers non-toxic teething necklaces made specifically to be gummed by baby. The White Marble Silicone Teething Necklace is fashionable for mom and safe for baby. Made with 100% silicone, this modern style teething necklace is easy to clean and dishwasher safe.

The Naturalist Wood + Silicone Teething Necklace is a boho inspired silicone and wood teething necklace. This style offers two textures for baby to chew on. The maple hard wood beads are great for baby to teethe on and is hand-polished with local organic beeswax and organic olive oil to preserve the wood from drying and cracking. The necklace also features a breakaway safety clasp for quick release. To clean, simply wipe the necklace.

Teething Toys

Teething toys are another great way to occupy baby and help the teething gums. The Bubble Silicone And Wood Teether by Loulou Lollipop is a practical and safe teething option for baby. The teether offers two different textures of teething material for baby’s gums. The Bubble Silicone and Wood Teether features food grade silicone that is BPA, PVC, Phathalates, lead and cadmium free. The beach wood is conditioned with olive oil and beeswax. This teether doubles as a rattle, as the double beech wooden rings rattle when shaken.