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There comes a moment when everything goes in the mouth: your finger, the label on the soft toy, the edge of the playpen. That is not naughtiness but how a baby investigates the world. And as soon as the first teeth start coming through, a second reason arrives: the gums are swollen and tender, and pressure on them brings relief.
So a teether does two things at once: something safe to chew on, and counter-pressure exactly where it is needed. Order before 4 pm on a working day and your order ships the same day.
For most babies the first teeth appear between four and seven months, usually the bottom front teeth first. But the spread is wide: some babies are born with a tooth, others have none by their first birthday. Both are normal.
What you notice, often weeks before you see anything: a lot of drooling, biting everything, rubbing an ear or a cheek, restless sleep, and a child who is more irritable than usual. A teether does not solve that, but it gives your child something to push against.
That is the choice here, and there is no wrong answer.
In practice children choose for themselves. One will only take the soft rubber, the next reaches for the silicone ring every time. Which is why having one of each is not a bad idea.
Manufacturers give a different lower limit per model, and that comes down to weight and firmness:
The rule of thumb: once your child brings things to their mouth themselves, you can start with a light model. Always check the guidance on the product page.
A smooth ring works differently from a ridged surface. The Hegen soothing teether, for instance, has several surface textures that massage the gum rather than only pressing on it, and those stimulate the sense of touch at the same time.
Beyond that, watch the weight and look for something to hold on to. A ring a child can put their fingers through, or a bracelet like the Mushie flower bracelet, stays in the hand better than a smooth block.
A chilled teether often works better than one at room temperature: the cold slightly numbs the tender gum and you notice it straight away. Half an hour in the fridge is enough.
Not the freezer. Frozen material goes hard, and that hardness can damage swollen gums rather than soothe them. The fridge is cold enough. With natural rubber, follow the manufacturer's instruction in any case, rubber tolerates extreme cold less well than silicone.
Clean silicone with warm water and a little mild soap; some models are dishwasher safe as well. Rinse natural rubber with lukewarm water and let it air dry. Do not boil it and do not put it in the dishwasher, because rubber dries out and cracks.
Do this daily. A teether that spends a lot of time in the mouth deserves the same attention as a dummy. The exact guidance is on every product page.
At our own nurseries teethers are always within reach, and we have learned two things from that. First, that children have outspoken preferences, so it pays to vary the material and the shape. Second, that a chilled ring makes the difference on a difficult day: a child crying from tender gums settles noticeably faster with one.
And the practical advice we fall back on most: buy two. There is always one in the laundry basket or under the sofa.
A teether is one of the nicest small new-baby gifts there is: it will certainly get used, and starting at €6.50 it sits comfortably alongside a card. Pair it with a muslin cloth, a comforter or a bib, with that last one you also have something for the drooling that comes with teething.
Have a look at our natural rubber bath toys, the rattles and the rest of our toys.
As soon as they bring things to their mouth themselves. Our collection runs from 0 months (soft natural rubber) to 6 months for the firmer silicone rings; the guidance is on every product page. Always use them under supervision.
Better not. Frozen material goes hard and can damage swollen gums. The fridge is cold enough for the soothing effect.
Silicone suitable for contact with food: free from BPA, PVC and phthalates, and safe to be chewed on.
Rubber from the sap of the rubber tree, so a natural product rather than a plastic. It is soft, resilient and biodegradable.
Silicone with warm water and a little mild soap, and sometimes in the dishwasher. Rinse natural rubber with lukewarm water and let it air dry. Do not boil it and do not put it in the dishwasher.
As soon as you see cracks, tooth marks going right through, or bitten-off pieces. Check it regularly and throw it away if in doubt.
The common guidance is to keep a baby's cot empty, and a teether on a cord or clip certainly does not belong there. Chewing happens under supervision. When in doubt, follow the advice of your child health clinic or doctor.
It brings relief because your child can put pressure on the tender gum, and chilled it works a little better still. It is not a painkiller. If your child has a lot of discomfort, a fever, or stays inconsolable, discuss it with your child health clinic or doctor.
