Motor skills develop differently in every child. That is why our products are made specifically for little hands, making them easier to grasp compared to finger foods. You may find that your baby is having difficulty grasping finger foods and bringing it to their mouth, however he may be successful using a food feeder.

Use a larger sac. Having more than one Food Feeder pre-filled at mealtimes is a great help. While your baby is eating from one feeder, you can fill the other and offer to trade with her. She will most likely find this experience exciting and stimulating!

Babies are more likely to develop allergies if there's a history of eczema, asthma, hay fever or food allergies in the family. If your baby has a family history of these conditions, breastfeeding your baby exclusively for the first six months will help to lower their risk. If you're not breastfeeding, ask your doctor for advice on what kind of formula to give your baby. When you start introducing solids, introduce the foods that can trigger allergic reactions one at a time so that you can spot any reaction. These foods are include milk, eggs, wheat, nuts, seeds, fish and shellfish. Lots of children will outgrow their allergies to milk or eggs, however a nut allergy tends to be lifelong.

Teething can begin as early as 4 months of age, but most babies don't get their first tooth until 6 months. Teeth usually come in pairs. The bottom front two teeth usually show up first, followed by the top ones. Then the side front teeth fill in, followed by the molars and then the canines, which are the pointy teeth next to the front teeth. The back molars erupt last. Your baby should have a full set of primary teeth by age 3; permanent teeth won't begin to replace them until the child is 4 to 6 years old.

It's possible, but drooling and chewing aren't always signs of teething. It's natural for a baby to put objects into their mouths to explore them. Also at this age he's beginning to produce more saliva than he can swallow, which causes drooling. But if you notice that your child is also cranky and fussy, and he tends to chew or gnaw on the breast or bottle more than suck, that sounds like he could be teething. Besides increased drooling, chewing, and fussiness, another common teething symptom is loss of appetite. Gum swelling and the resulting sensitivity to hot and cold foods will also make eating uncomfortable for your baby, and can also interfere with his sleeping pattern. In addition, when teeth are coming through, the gums will look swollen and bumpy, and they may be lighter or darker in colour.

Some health professionals don't buy into the idea that these symptoms are related to teething, but other professionals, myself included, see a connection. The usual scenario is that a parent will bring in an irritable 6-month-old who has a low-grade temperature (less than 100.5 degrees) and some mild diarrhoea. The child is also usually drooling and chewing on his fingers or anything else near his mouth. The parent is usually sent home with instructions for managing the fever. Then, two or three days later, a new tooth appears -- and soon after that the fever and diarrhoea disappear. Be aware, though, that we sometimes blame these symptoms on teething when they may actually be the result of an infection. A good guideline is that whatever problem you think is due to teething should pass with treatment within 24 hours. If it doesn't your baby may actually be sick with something else and should be seen by a doctor.

There are several ways you can help make teething easier for your baby. Every child is different, and you may have to try several different things until you find something that works for your baby. Teething rings, the Icy Moo Teether is a great alternative to give your baby something to safely chew on, which may ease their discomfort and provide a distraction from any pain. The Icy Moo can be cooled first, this will help soothe your baby’s gums. The cover can also be used to create breastmilk or formula ice pops which will offer further reassurance to your baby. In addition to a teething ring, for babies over four months old, you can rub sugar-free teething gel on their gums. You can get teething gel from your local pharmacy. Teething gels often contain a mild local anaesthetic, which helps to numb any pain or discomfort caused by teething. The gels may also contain antiseptic ingredients, which help to prevent infection in any sore or broken skin in your baby's mouth.
One of the signs that your baby is teething is that they start to chew on their fingers, toys or other objects they get hold of. Try and give healthy things for your baby to chew, such as fruits and vegetables in a Food Feeder. You can even place frozen fruits in the Food Feeder. The pressure of the Food Feeder against the gums will likely provide some relief for your baby. If your baby is in pain or has a raised temperature, you may want to give them a painkilling medicine that has been specifically designed for children. These medicines contain a small dose of paracetamol or ibuprofen to ease any discomfort. The medicine should also be sugar-free. Always follow the dosage instructions that come with the medicine. If you are not sure, ask your doctor or pharmacist.
Comforting or playing with your baby can sometimes distract them from the pain in their gums. Your baby may be feeling too irritable or restless to play, but at other times, it may be a good way of getting them to concentrate on something other than their teething pain. If teething is making your baby dribble more than usual, make sure you frequently wipe their chin and the rest of their face. This will help to prevent them from developing a teething rash. You may also find it useful for your baby to sleep on an absorbent sheet.