 In our infant course, we talk about offering babies soft finger foods. Many families wonder, "How can babies eat whole - and not pureed - food without teeth?" Even though six-month-olds lack a full set of teeth (and definitely don't have any molars, or chewing teeth), they have the ability to chew and swallow real food. Babies learn how to bring food to the side of their mouth, chew and swallow with lots of practice eating. We teach all about this in our Infant Course if you need help! One tool that really helps our clients with learning to chew - besides eating, of course - is practicing using stick-shaped teething toys. These tools allow babies to practice biting with their back gums and strengthening their jaw, skills that will help when they have real food. When do we recommend these teethers? 1. Start once your baby can put safe toys in their mouths, as early as 3-4 months. Offer them regularly leading up to solid food introduction (around 6 months). 2. Continue to offer them alongside real food so your baby continues to practice and build strength. 3. If your child is struggling to chew once you've introduced food (they're spitting everything out, gagging is not getting better, they're not swallowing food), make sure you're letting your baby work with these teethers regularly. The video below explains how your baby's mouth works and how you can help them learn to chew, especially if they're struggling. Need more help? Our online infant feeding course will teach you all you need to know to raise a skilled, adventurous eater!
Disclosure: the links below are affiliate links, which means (at no cost to you) we will make a small commission if you click through and make a purchase. Check out our entire Amazon store here. Note: these teethers (and more) can also be found at our Amazon Shop.     Additional teethers not mentioned in the video   We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.
2/13/2018 09:28:32 pm
Thank you so mixh for taking the time to explain this in a video! It was very useful. I received the numnum utensils at my baby shower and still have them in their packaging!!! My daughter just turned 5 months and first thing tomorrow morning I will be handing them to her. Thanks again!!
Feeding Littles
2/22/2018 08:41:35 am
We are so glad it was helpful!!!
Christina F
2/14/2018 10:20:10 am
I am an early intervention SLP and have a 20 month old kiddo on my caseload with global delays who does not chew or lateralize his food, nor does he finger feed. He also will not let anything inside his mouth (no teether toys, chewy tube, Nuk brush,etc.) besides a spoon (and will not bite down on it) and bottle-like sippy cup. Any suggestions working on chewing skills??
Feeding Littles
2/22/2018 08:42:05 am
Hey! We recommend emailing Judy - judy@feedinglittles.com <3
Lindsey
2/14/2018 10:30:20 am
Thanks so much for this helpful video! At what age would you find these teether a beneficial until? My baby is almost 11 mo and has been baby led weaning from 6 mo (she really didn’t start eating much until 8 mo. She is eating like a champ! I find that she puts too much in her mouth and doesn’t chew enough. Wondering if these would be helpful. Was planning on purchasing your toddler feeding course today, but this is probably more information I would find in the baby course. Thanks!
Feeding Littles
2/22/2018 08:42:51 am
Hey mama - does she chew on toys now? If so it's worth trying the teethers! Every baby is a little different as to when they stop, and she may be completely interested at her age!
Deseree
3/29/2018 09:52:06 pm
How are the wood ring teething toys? Also random question, are veggie fries like the chips good for BLW?
Anna
4/19/2018 08:35:35 am
This video was super helpful! My 18 month old was diagnosed by an OT this past week as not having the ability to chew (we've been having feeding struggles since 12 months and are relieved/worried to finally find out the underlying cause). I ordered the zoli teether and also purchased the toddler course because there are definitely some food battles going on in addition to his lack of chewing. Comments are closed.
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