As parents, we want what is best for our babies. We want to make sure they are safe, they are healthy, and what goes in their mouths is clean. As soon as they are able to pick up, grasp, and move their hands to their mouths, they will put things in there😊. Inevitably, we then have to make sure it’s not something they will potentially choke on or get sick from. Babies can begin teething as early as 4 months! Although we don’t want them to put EVERYTHING in their mouths, this is a developmental stage and important for both feeding and speech development. As you begin to notice their hands going in their mouths more often, they will begin to try other objects as well, sometimes even your fingers or hands! This is when we as parents, can provide them objects that are appropriate. In this day and age, we can easily look for objects to provide them at a click of a button. Many toys you may already have for them could have different textures on parts of them just for teething so definitely check it out. Let them explore(safely)! As they put things in their mouths, they are learning a hand to mouth connection, important for feeding development. In addition, this gives them the opportunity to build awareness of the structures in their mouths, how they can move them, and different sounds they can produce with these movements. It also helps with the pain of teething and break those teeth through the gums. So, before you take that toy they just put in their mouth out, assess if it’s safe, clean, and appropriate. If it is, let them keep exploring!
*If your baby isn’t going through this stage, struggling with feeding, and not beginning to make more sounds, contact your pediatrician to inquire about you local Early Intervention program.
**Nobody Evert Told Me(or My Mother) That! By: Diane Bahr