Most babies begin to cut their teeth when they’re 4 to 7 months old. Tooth buds are formed in the gums while the baby is still in the womb and begin to break through after several months, starting with the bottom middle teeth. Teething is usually a painful process and can make your baby irritable, cause excessive drooling and interrupt his sleep patterns. Putting pressure on the gums offers some relief to the teething baby, so to ease the discomfort of teething, babies will enthusiastically chomp on anything handed to them, whether it’s Mommy’s finger or Daddy’s keys. It’s important to know what chemicals and other hazards may be lurking in even seemingly safe toys that will end up in your baby’s mouth, and to provide your baby with chewing toys that are clean, safe and non-toxic like natural organic baby products from Organic Baby Nook.
Choose Non-toxic Toys
Phthalates are softening chemicals used in the manufacturing of a large number of plastic products. This chemical is known to cause cancer, and while many Western countries have completely banned its use in soft toys, the U.S. has not. To ensure your baby’s teething toys are phthalate-free, purchase only those made of silicone or latex. Some retailers, such as Target, Toys R Us, Sears and K-Mart, have vowed not to carry soft toys containing phthalates. Because babies and small children will put anything and everything in their mouths, play it safe by ensuring all toys–not just teething rings–are free of these dangerous chemicals.
Teething rings that contain liquid should never be put in the freezer, which can cause them to crack. Although this liquid is generally non-toxic, it’s best to avoid letting your baby ingest it. Cool the liquid by putting the teething ring in the refrigerator, and throw it away if it becomes cracked, weak or damaged.
Avoid Choking Hazards
Toys and teething rings with many parts are a choking hazard, no matter how solid they appear to be. If the toy’s parts are small enough to choke on, it’s best to discard the whole thing and look for toys that are constructed of one solid piece or whose parts are too large to fit all the way inside your baby’s mouth. Any toy that is damaged, cracked or broken should be thrown away.
Keep it Clean
It’s important to keep your baby’s toys clean and free of bacteria and germs. Wash toys in hot, soapy water and rinse well. Like all products including Organic Baby Nook bedding, clothing, and household items; cleanliness is very important to keep baby safe! To avoid deterioration of your baby’s toys, never disinfect them in boiling water, the dishwasher or the microwave unless the manufacturer specifies that it’s safe to do so. Keep toys away from pets and be sure to wash them if they come into contact with another child’s hands or mouth.
Recalled Toys
Keep up to date with toy recalls. SaferProducts.gov is a searchable website providing details about recalls of toys and other products. You can search by the type of toy, the manufacturer or the brand. Immediately discard any toy that has been the subject of a recall.
Go Natural
There are a number of companies that specialize in non-toxic, all-natural toys for babies and young children. Most of the products sold are guaranteed safe and certified chemical-free. From pacifiers and bottles to teething rings and rattles, these companies are committed to providing you with alternatives to commercial–and potentially harmful–toys for the safety of your baby. For more information on natural organic products please visit http://organicbabynook.com/willow-organic-baby-crib-bedding-set!