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Teethers and Pacifier Clips: What's Safe, and When to Start
Teething can bring drooling, chewing and discomfort. A few checks help you choose an appropriate teether, use a pacifier clip with care and read a product listing for what it actually says.
What happens when teeth come in?
Teeth grow gradually until they break through the gums. According to Quebec's INSPQ, the first teeth generally appear around 6 months, but they can come earlier or later, even as late as 12 months. Teething may go unnoticed or cause discomfort: more drooling, a need to chew, a fussier baby.
If needed, INSPQ suggests a clean washcloth soaked in cold water or a teething ring, or gently rubbing the gums with a clean finger. You can cool a teething ring in the refrigerator, but do not freeze it: your baby could injure their mouth. INSPQ also advises against teething necklaces, syrups and gels, which pose serious risks.
What should you check on a teether?
INSPQ's advice on choosing toys applies: read the label for the recommended age, make sure a teething ring is large enough that it can't get caught in your baby's throat, and check that no small part can break loose. INSPQ also recommends avoiding soft vinyl (PVC) toys and rattles. Inspect the whole item, including seams and joints. A word like wood or food-grade silicone does not tell you whether the finished product suits your baby.
Listings don't always give you that information. Age labels vary among the teething products we carry: "newborns and up" on Merla Baby's rattle and teether set, 4 months and up on its T-Rex teether feeder, 6 to 12 months on Wild Baby's silicone teething feeder. Several Création Jade teethers, including the two shown here, state no age at all. When a listing gives no age, ask before you order.
What is the rule for pacifier clips?
Never tie or hang a pacifier around your baby's neck. If you use a clip, Health Canada says to choose one with a short ribbon, attach it securely to your baby's clothing and keep it in good shape: a ribbon longer than 22 cm (8½ inches) can wrap around the neck. If the clip or string breaks, your baby can choke on the pieces, and clips with silicone balls on the string are particularly dangerous if they break.
New Brunswick public health's pacifier handout adds two rules: never let your baby sleep with the clip, and avoid clips with silicone beads, which can break and become dangerous. None of the pacifier-clip listings we checked in our catalogue states the ribbon length, so measure it yourself before the first use.
Why not attach a teether or use chewing beads?
Health Canada warns that products with strings, beads, ribbons or chains that tie around a baby's neck, attach to a crib or clip to clothing can cause serious injury or death, because they can twist tightly around the neck, even during sleep. Teething necklaces and chewing beads can also break into small pieces your baby can choke on. Hand your baby the teether instead of attaching it.
When should a teether be replaced?
Stop using a teether that is cracked, splintered, torn or has loose pieces, check it before each use and follow the maker's replacement instructions. Health Canada applies the same logic to pacifiers: throw one out at any sign of wear, because broken or loose pieces can choke your baby. If your baby starts chewing on a pacifier, Health Canada suggests offering a teething ring instead.
Frequently asked questions
When does teething start?
The first teeth generally appear around 6 months, but they can come earlier or later, even as late as 12 months. Don't assume that fever or diarrhea comes from teething: INSPQ notes these symptoms are often caused by something else. If your baby is in serious discomfort, contact a health professional or call Info-Santé at 811.
Silicone, wood or fabric?
The material alone doesn't settle it. Check the age label, the condition and the care instructions for the exact product, avoid soft vinyl (PVC), and don't assume that a wooden teether is antibacterial.
Can a pacifier clip stay on for sleep?
No. Remove the clip before any sleep, naps included. Advice about offering a pacifier at sleep time doesn't mean leaving the clip attached.
How do I clean a teether?
Follow the maker's instructions for that item, because they differ even between silicone products. Wild Baby lists its silicone teething feeder as dishwasher safe, while the Création Jade teethers shown here give no washing method in their listing: ask before you boil, soak or use the dishwasher, and check the item again after cleaning. For age-by-age play ideas, see which toys actually help a baby learn.