Most babies will try to put things into their mouth at an early age. They find it comforting to do so. Babies love to chew on things, especially when they are teething. Blankies, favorite stuffed toys, edges of baby books and of course, fingers are an easy target to chew on.
Teethers are designed to make it easier for babies to grip and put them in their mouth. It's very soothing for babies to chew on something hard that offers adequate resistance like a teether. Tender gums feel better when a light pressure is applied.
Teethers are usually made of rubber, plastic or wood and come in various shapes, colors and sizes. Commonly, teethers and rattles go hand in hand, with one doubling up as the other. Some parents prefer using teethers which one can chill in the fridge, providing a soothing coolness to baby's gums. If you're doing so, be careful that you don't freeze the teether too much, otherwise it can hurt baby's delicate gums.
While choosing a teether, go in for a teether which baby will find easy to put into their mouth. You don't want something which is too big or too small. Textures work well. Some toy firms have teethers in the shape of toy animals which are very popular as well.
An important thing to keep in mind while choosing a teether is to verify that it is safe for baby to put into the mouth. Choose only phthalate and BPA free teethers for your child. Choose teethers with non toxic paint on them.
