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Teething Rings...
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Teething rings are an essential part of an infant's life. Many parents believe they're used just to make your infant feel better. But… rings can be very powerful in any infant's development.
From about 5 months your baby will automatically bring objects to her lips and mouth it vigorously. Don't discourage this. Your infant is learning to interact with objects. And by way of mouthing she's learning and exploring different textures and tastes of her immediate surroundings.
Likewise, when your baby bangs the ring against something, she learns about size, shapes and weight.
Today's rings go beyond, well, just being rings. They often double as infant educational toys.
Different versions, for example, include colorful cloth animals that are safe to chew. But you also get more expensive versions that serve as a keepsake. These rings are often plastic with a sterling silver bell attached and can even be personalized with an engraving.
That being said, most rings on the market are still made of plastic and are usually either solid or filled with purified water.
Rings are better for infants than giving them food to sooth their gums. Sweet foods, such as teething cookies, are obviously not a good choice. Hard foods, on the other hand, are choking hazards. None of these are problems when your infant chews on a ring.
When handling teething rings, child-care experts recommend that you do not freeze liquid-filled rings. Also, do not clean them by boiling or putting them in a dishwasher… they're not designed for such cleaning.
Up until now you may have ignored teething rings as just another object to help sooth gums. Maybe you should give rings another deserved chance.
For teething rings and other baby toys… click here