Teething products

During teething your baby may experience degrees of discomfort with sore gums. Teething products such as teething rings or teething gels can help sooth sore gums.

Teethers

Teethers come in all shapes and sizes. Some are hard and others soft and chewy, others have textured edges. Some even have an additional element such as an integral rattle or character shape. Ensure the size is appropriate for your baby and thin enough to chew easily.

Try a fridge cooled teether, just pop it in the fridge for a few hours and it will help your soothe babies gums when teething. However, teething should not make your baby ill, if he seems unwell check with your doctor, as it is easy to put it down to teething when in fact he may have a more serious condition, such as an ear infection.

Some teethers are dishwasher-safe, others can be washed in warm soapy water. If you need to sterilise them, they should be immersed into a cold water and chemical solution, not boiled or steam sterilised. Water filled teethers can be cooled in the fridge before use and give comfort to sore gums. Do not be tempted to freeze them as they could damage your baby?s gums if used frozen.

Teething gels

Teething gels can give temporary relief from sore or painful gums. There are several varieties of teething gels on the market, including homeopathic gels. Teething gels usually contain a local anaesthetic and are dabbed on the troubled spot at prescribed intervals. Teething gels are sugar-free and come in a variety of flavours. Some are suitable for use from birth so check on the packet before buying. Older babies (over six months) who are taking some baby food may find it helps to chew on a hard teething biscuit.