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Teething Toys, Etc.: Lesser Known Teething Tidbits

Your baby is barely 3 months old, so you’re probably not expecting teething to happen yet. But it can! Most parents believe that the window in which teething starts is 4 to 6 months, and they aren’t wrong - they just aren’t totally right either. Teething can actually begin anywhere from 3 months to as late as 14 months, and when that happens depends largely on yours and your spouse’s family history. More often than not, late teething is nothing to worry about. Try these other interesting teething facts about everything from the best teething toys for babies to what to watch for so you can help your baby through teething!


Drool Isn’t (Really) Normal

Everyone says one of the biggest signs to watch for to know when your baby is teething is to look out for a drastic increase in drooling. This is both correct and not. Your baby will start to drool a bit more than usual because their gums are irritated; however, if your baby is drooling excessively, it’s time for a trip to the pediatrician because drooling heavily could be the sign for more than just teething.


Teething Means Fevers

Again, this is both true and not. When your baby is teething, small tears form in the gums, which is a prime place for bacteria to get in. It’s not necessarily teething itself that is making your baby’s nose run and fever spike, it’s the germs sneaking in through their gums. This is why it’s imperative to keep your hands and any teething toys well cleaned throughout the teething process.


Chewing Is Good

However, just because your baby is more prone to illness when teething, that’s no reason to keep that baby chew necklace away. Babies need to chomp and bite to help those teeth break through, so be sure you’re providing them with plenty of the best teething toys for babies. Just be sure that anything that goes into baby’s mouth - your fingers or that baby chew necklace - has been cleaned well.


Choosing the Best Teethers

Not all teethers are created equal. The best teething toys for babies are the ones that let them chew with all parts of their mouth; those back teeth and gums need help too! When it comes to choosing the best teethers, find options that are not only soft but firm and textured, they should also be slim enough that baby can massage the rear of their mouth. If the rings or loops are too big, baby won’t be able to get relief for the molar areas of their gums. In this regard, a giraffe teether or one with narrow (but non-choking) parts can be great for the back of the mouth. Or, promote early brushing habits with a chewable teething toothbrush!


Avoid Teething Gels

Those topical numbing gels may sound like the perfect relief option when even the best teething toys for babies aren’t helping; however, even the lightest of analgesic use needs to be approved by your pediatrician as they can cause a rare but serious illness. Instead, the best teething toys for babies are made to be chilled (but not frozen), which offers safe relief.

 

Ditch Squishy Rings

For years, those squishy freezable rings were considered some of the best teething toys for babies. Unfortunately, the creators discounted just how sharp emerging teeth can be! If you’re looking for the best teethers, seek out squishy silicone or textured teethers rather than liquid filled, because baby’s teeth may be sharp enough to puncture those liquid-filled rings. Instead, try a baby chew necklace or a chillable elephant!


If you’re on the hunt for the best teething toys for babies, shop 2 Girls 1 Shop today!

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