Teethers Teethers Everywhere

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Teething is difficult, both for baby and for the parents. Your once laid back happy baby can turn into an irritable, needy, little one whom is difficult to console. Having good teething toys around can help make this time much more bearable for you both. But with SO MANY teething options out there it can be hard to know where to turn.

Some teething rules to live by:

• Make sure you always inspect teething toys BEFORE your little one starts to chow down. Over time pieces can break loose and become choking hazards. 
• Offer a variety of textures: wood, silicone, cloth, and metal; as well as warm and cold options. This will help provide both tactile stimulation and relief to sore and itchy gums. 
• Having the parent who is holding baby wear a teething necklace ensures there is always something for baby to munch on when their gums are sore. They also serve as excellent distractions to prevent baby from pulling your hair and scratching you during feeding. 
• Teething necklaces should be worn by parents only to protect against the risk of strangulation. NEVER put baby to bed while wearing a necklace or bib. 

Here are some of my favorite teethers, all the brands mentioned below use natural high quality materials are BPA free and have passed all safety regulations.


Otherware:
Made in Canada these teethers were designed by Rae, a mother who sought to create teethers that were aesthetically attractive, natural, and safe.
I have bought Teethers, bracelets, and necklaces from Rae and they are all amazing! Not only will she customize your order if you ask, she bends over backwards to ensure you have a positive experience. Plus all her products are absolutely BEAUTIFUL! The colors are true to images posted and the texture of the beads is perfect for the teething babe. Our current favorite is the Hex teether because it can go in the freezer! LOVE, I just cannot say enough good things about her products
An important tool when you have a teething baby is wearing a good teething necklace. Otherware makes my favorite necklaces hands down.  Instead of stringing the beads on a nylon string, they use a stainless steel ball chain. My son LOVES to hold it and munch on the silicone and wooden beads. These necklaces are not only effective, they are beautiful and I proudly wear them even when Luke isn't actively teething.
Otherware's teethers are composed of buttery soft beads made with 100% food-grade silicone or organic untreated maple wood. They are non-toxic, latex, lead, cadmium, mercury, phthalate, BPA & PVC free.
$22-38 CAD (follow on IG @Otherware for frequent sales)
Otherware.ca

Custom Back and White Burly Teether

Colourblok Teething Necklace

LouLou Lollipop Teethers:
The teethers and teether clips sold by LouLou Lollipop come in many fun colors and shapes. Designed by a mother who sought to provide safe effective chew toys for her daughter. Below is Luke with their signature blue donut. I love this teether, it's adorable, beautiful, and easy for him to grasp. Plus the 3 dimensional sprinkles help soothe his sore gums. Watching my chubby boy chew on a doughnut makes me giggle =)
Made of 100% food grade silicone. Free of Phthalates, Lead, BPA, and PVCs.
$12-25
https://www.etsy.com/people/louloulollipop4#
Teether was bought at a discounted price for the purpose of this review.

Blue Silicone Donut with White Blue and Grey Pacifier Clip

 Trendy Teethers: 
Made by Sleeping Baby, creators of the innovative Zipadee-Zip. Trendy Teethers offer cute clip on teethers, teething necklaces, and pacifier clips at a reasonable price.
Made of 100% silicone with nylon ribbon. Free of phalates, PVC, Cadmium, Lead, and BPA.
$8.95-16.95
https://www.sleepingbaby.com/collections/moms/trendy-teethers
Teether was provided for the purpose of this review.

 Eli the Elephant Teething Clip

Kleynimals:
Kleynimals is easily one of my favorite inventions. Keys that are clean and safe made specifically for your little one! Made in the USA of a non-toxic 100% stainless steel, these keys are free of dangerous chemicals and without any sharp edges. The Kleynimals Keys depict 3 animals (a lion, giraffe, and elephant) and come with the option to have them engraved. This is one teething toy that I plan to keep as a momento long after my children outgrow it's need. These keys truly are beautiful, well crafted, pieces of artwork; worth every penny.
$28
kleynimals.com
Teether was bought at a discounted price for the purpose of this review.

* Shown attached to the Charlie Cutie Clip to prevent Luke from dropping his Kleynimals on the floor.  

Gertie The Good Goose: 
Made by Tot Corp, a Canadian based company. Gertie is fun addition to your teething collection. With a smooth curved beak and long slender body, Gertie is easy for Luke to grab and chew on. Plus when squeezed she squeaks bringing a quick smile to Luke's face! Gertie is made of 100% pure natural rubber and she has a soft smooth texture . The box states Gertie has a slight vanilla scent, but in my experience she simply smells like rubber.
$23
Free of BPA, Phthalate, and PVC.
http://totcorp.ca/Gertie-The-Good-Goose_p_297.html
Teether was provided for the purpose of this review.

Gertie the Good Goose

TeetherToys:
TeetherToys was started by a developmental therapist whom works with special needs infants - micro-preemies, genetic disorders, neurological and other high-risk sorts of stuff. TeetherToys are specifically designed to help babies develop important early milestones such as grasping and shaking. She offers natural teething toys of many shapes and sizes, there are even options geared toward premies! All her teethers are made of 100% all natural hardwood that is hand sanded to perfection.  Below Luke is pictured playing with the Ring Around the Rattle; both a classic wooden rattle and a teething toy. The size and shape of this classic rattle make it perfect for tiny hands; in fact it was one of the first teethers that Luke could grasp and chew on without assistance.
$18-24
 http://teethertoys.com/
Teether was provided for the purpose of this review.

Loving his Ring Around the Rattle

Ringley:
Made in Canada, Ringley is a natural teether that combines two effective teething tools: untreated Maple wood and 100% organic cotton terrycloth. It can be used wet or dry. You can even get the cloth wet then freeze it to provide cooling relief to sore swollen gums without the danger of liquid filled teethers. Ringley is available in multiple shapes and sizes.
http://ringley.ca/
$16-25

The Knotted Ringlet

Micah's Pop-up Shop:
A small mom run shop who sells exclusively via Instagram, Alicia sews the bunny teethers by hand. What make's this shop so special is her enthusiasm for custom orders. I was in search of one made out of organic cotton with a monochrome pattern that will match Luke's nursery. Alicia went above and beyond, sending me photos during her fabric search until she found me just the right ones. (I also purchased two fabulous bibdanas from her with fabric she picked up during the same shopping trip.)
Made of natural untreated maple hardwood and 100% cotton fabric, both organic and non-organic available.  
To receive a discount of 15% use code DRMOMMYRX when ordering. 
(@micahspopupshop on IG)
$7-8

Custom Bunny Teether in Organic Cotton

Meadoria:
A beautiful handmade pacifier/teether clip that is made of raw natural wood and crochet cotton ruffles with a 3" wooden ring that has his name engraved in it. The organic wood is conditioned with a blend of beeswax and coconut oil, both organic. There is no lacquer or sealant on the wood, it is free of toxins. The clip tip is lead free and has plastic teeth to protect clothing. The beads are strung together with a strong cord.
https://www.etsy.com/shop/meadoria
$15-20

Pacifier Clip with Neutral Cotton Accent and Engraved Wooden Ring

Sophie The Giraffe Teether (link):
Designed to stimulate all 5 of baby's senses from the comfortingly soft texture of the natural rubber to the endearing squeak she makes when squeezed. Sophie is loved by babies and perfectly shaped for little hands to grip. 
Made of 100% natural rubber and food grade-paint.
$23

Snoozing with his Sophie

Beyond the Teethers:

-- Ryan and Rose Cutie Clips:
Now that baby is putting EVERYTHING in their mouth, it is important to be able to keep your favorite teethers and pacifiers off the ground. Ryan and Rose Cutie Clips are the perfect solution. Not only are they an adorable fashion accessory, they are the perfect length (just 6-7") to prevent dragging on the ground and reduce the risk of strangulation. The company motto is "Don't wanna lose it, Cutie Clip it." In my house I use Cutie Clips for everything from pacifiers, to teethers, to loveys. I simply attach the item to the cutie clip by slipping it through the ring and then clip the item to their shirt, carrier or chair. I also LOVE that you can get them custom engraved with baby's name, initials, or monogram.
Made from a variety of lead free materials. Available in many different colors, and styles. Perfect for little boys and girls.
https://www.ryanandrose.co/
$11-16
Cutie clips were provided for the purpose of this review.

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Cutie Clips: Keeping Teethers Off the Floor

 

Ryan and Rose Cutie Clips:
Now that baby is putting EVERYTHING in their mouth, it is important to be able to keep your favorite teethers and pacifiers off the ground. Ryan and Rose Cutie Clips are the perfect solution. Not only are they an adorable fashion accessory, they are the perfect length (just 6-7") to prevent dragging on the ground and reduce the risk of strangulation. The company motto is "Don't wanna lose it, Cutie Clip it." In my house I use Cutie Clips for everything from pacifiers, to teethers, to loveys. I simply attach the item to the cutie clip by slipping it through the ring and then clip the item to their shirt, carrier or chair. In addition to being adorable, these pacifier clips are impressively strong and hold up to lots of baby boy tugging :) I also LOVE that you can get them custom engraved with baby's name, initials, or monogram in a variety of different fonts.
Made from a variety of lead free materials. Available in many different colors, and styles. Perfect for little boys and girls. 
Cutie clips were provided for the purpose of this review.

- Cost: $ $11-16 each
- Value: 5/5
- Functionality: 5/5
- Ease of use: 5/5
- Appearance: 5/5

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Planning for the Sunshine- Swimzip is your new best friend

As summer approaches, and plans to go camping, swim in the pool, play at the park, or run along the beach fill your dreams; don't forget to protect your little ones from the powerful rays of our sun. Protecting your littles is more than just not getting sunburned, keeping baby covered also prevents sun-induced skin cancers and premature aging down the road. However, getting a toddler covered in sunscreen is like trying to catch a greased pig and sunscreen isn't recommended for very young infants (under 6 months).

Living in Southern California, and loving the beach, I have had many 2nd degree sunburns in my life. Resulting in me being diagnosed with skin cancer at only 20 years old. Thankfully, a cure for me only meant minor surgery, but I now have a permanent scar on my face to remind me of the dangers of sun exposure.

Therefore, when my beautiful baby boy was born a very fair red head, I started to hunt for a way to protect him. That is how I found SwimZip, a family owned company started by a mother with a story that rings similar to my own. Having been diagnosed with skin cancer at 26yrs old Betsy Johnson set out to design clothing to protect her children. The swimsuits and cover-ups they sell have an impressive SPF rating of 50+, over five times what a typical t-shirt does, and they sell a variety of styles and colors!

I reached out to SwimZip and they were kind enough to provide one for me to review. Luke is wearing the design called "Hard Working Man" in 0-6mo with long sleeves and the matching "Shady Days" orange flap hat.

The suit is soft, made of a rash-guard-like material, but unlike a traditional rash-guard you don't have to squeeze your child into it because the ingenious creators added a full zipper. In Luke's suit the zipper runs from his neck all the way down to his right ankle allowing me to dress him in under 10 seconds, so diaper changes are a snap. With multiple color options and several styles for boys, girls, men, and women, there is a suit for every preference. Luke was comfortable in his SwimZip suit and as a bonus he looked adorable! He was well protected from the sun's damaging rays and the long sleeves shielded him from the ocean breeze. I loved being able to share the beauty of the ocean with my son without having to stress over applying sunscreen or struggling to prevent Luke from getting a sunburn. I love this brand, it is a summer essential!

- Cost: $24-38 each
- Value: 5/5
- Functionality:4/5
- Ease of use: 5/5
- Appearance: 4/5


Now some fun photos and tips for staying safe in the sun!

 - Avoid Sun exposure during the hours when sun is at it's most intense, 10am-4pm. If unable to limit exposure then seek shade and try to keep baby's delicate skin out of direct sunlight.
- Don't expect a darker skin tone to protect you. Everyone can develop sunburn and become vulnerable to skin cancer.

 - Wear tightly woven clothing that covers arms and legs. Clothing specifically designed for sun exposure is best because it provides UV protection. A broad rimmed hat and sun glasses are also recommended to protect the eyes, face, and head.
 - Sunscreen is recommended for use in infants and children over 6 months of age. Under 6mo it is best to use other forms of protection such as protective clothing and shade.

 - When sunscreen is used a mineral based sunscreen is preferred over a chemically based product because it minimizes absorption into the skin.
- Use a broad spectrum sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or greater. Apply a minimum of 15mins BEFORE sun exposure and reapply frequently, no more then 2 hours between applications.

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Which Baby Monitor Would a Pediatrician Buy? Owlet (with LIMITED TIME OFFER)

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The greatest nightmare a parent has is losing their child. As a doctor I have witnessed the tragic loss of too many children. The loss of a child is heartbreaking and something no person can prepare for. I knew before my son was born that I would need a baby monitor to would alert me if my son ever stopped breathing. Every second matters when it's your child on the line. I have had the blessing of trying 3 different brands of alert monitors. I will review them below in the order I tried them in.
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Snuza Hero Mobile Baby Movement Monitor :

The first monitor we bought, months before Luke was born was the Snuza Hero Mobile Baby Movement Monitor . It was economical at $120 and easy to use. I simply turned it on and clipped it to Luke's diaper.

- Detects abdominal movement.
- Clips directly onto the baby's diaper. Diaper needs to be folded over to keep from falling off. It can also be connected to pants (as shown below).
- Device itself alerts only. There is no base station or connection to cell phone.
- After 15 seconds of no abdominal movement it vibrates to stimulate the baby. If the lack of movement continues for 5 more seconds then the emergency alarm sounds. Will also alarm if there is an inadequate number of movements (under 8/min)
- Green light flashes with each abdominal movement. Can also be programmed to have an audible click with movement. I found this light very re-assuring when I was only half conscious to be able to watch the light flash and know my son was breathing.
- No set-up required.
- No charging required. It contains a battery that can be replaced when low.

- The main draw backs: It seemed very large next to my tiny 6lb newborn (he is 2.5mo and 12lbs in the photo below), the rubber tip that detects movement sometimes left a red mark on his belly, and it would have to be removed and turned off during diaper changes to prevent false alarms. Then in the middle of the night you would have to remember to turn it back on and re-attach it to his diaper. Additionally, it isn't reliable if the baby is on any surface that can cause artificial movement (swing, vibration, etc); or if you are in contact with the monitor while holding the baby (Snuza will sense your movement instead of the baby's).

** UPDATE: I recently used Snuza for my 6mo (because I forgot to charge my Owlet) and it was terrible. Since Luke is mobile and rolls now he kept knocking it off and setting off the alarm =(

Taking a nap with his Snuza

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Owlet Baby Monitor:

OwletCare.com
Next, I contacted the creators of Owlet and was given the ability to trial it for the purpose of this review. Owlet is more expensive then some other monitors ($249), but the peace of mind it gives me is priceless. I am a numbers person and being able to pull up the Owlet App and see quantitative numbers is huge. Additionally, when my son was sick with his first cold, having the ability to check his oxygen saturation helped me know he was breathing effectively despite being congested. As a physician, that alone sold me on the value of Owlet. While it is not a medical device, it does use the same technology as used in hospitals. Over 100,000 hours went into testing the Owlet Baby Monitor.

- Measures heart rate and oxygenation to alert you if infant stops breathing. (See picture from Owlet App below)
- Comes with special sock that goes on the baby's foot. Three sizes are included in the box to ensure optimal fit as the baby grows. Additionally you can purchase extras and a larger size from the website. Fits most infants to until 18mo.
- Base station alarms and (optional) you can receive alerts on your cell phone with the Owlet App (currently only iPhone but Android App is coming June 6th).
- Emergency Alarms if heart rate and/or oxygen saturation go out of range. The threshold for alarms is: Oxygen below 80%, Heart Rate below 60 or over 220bmp.
- 10x fewer false alarms then movement monitors
- If you do receive an emergency alert Owlet will email you to see if you need any further assistance. 
- There are also alerts to notify you if the sock has fallen off/ aren't properly positioned and if the sock is out of range. The non-emergency alerts sound different and can be turned off.
- Easy set-up by following instructions on application.
- Can be used in any room or on any surface as long as it is within range of the base station.
- Typically I put the sock on Luke when getting him dressed for bed and than turn on the base station after I put him in his bassinet for bedtime.

- The main drawbacks: Unable to get an accurate reading if the infant is wiggling, it works best when baby is sleeping. The sock must be charged daily, thankfully this takes less then an hour. The base station relies on a Bluetooth signal to the sock, if it is blocked or too far away an alert sounds-- I wish this distance were greater. (I recently learned that Owlet is working on a way to extend this distance). Although the alarms can be turned off, I would prefer if they could be silenced as well so that you still know if the sock is too far away etc, but no noisy alert sounds. For example, the base station would flash and your phone alert would appear, but without the sounds. Also the App is a little slow to open at times, but it is constantly being updated and I am sure this will be worked out soon.

---> I want to address some concerns I have read about Owlet. At no point has the device burned or irritated my son's skin in any way. Luke has sensitive fair skin and it hasn't even left a slight red mark. I am confident recommending it as a safe product.

- If you have more questions about what Owlet is capable of: http://www.owletcare.com/faq/owlet-disclaimer/

Wearing his Owlet

 What you see on the App

Base Station, charging the sock

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Angel Care Deluxe Movement and Sound Monitor: 

A friend of mine actually owned the Angel Care system and offered to loan it to us for use with our son. There are many models available, the one we have has a single movement pad for the crib and two parental units.

- Detects movement of child through a square pad placed underneath the crib mattress.
- Detects room temperature, will alert you if the room is too warm or cold
- Base station and parent unit(s) alarm
- Alarms if movement isn't detected for 20 seconds
- To work appropriately you need to put a piece of plywood under mattress for the square sensor to sit upon. Otherwise, the surface must be firm.
- Some models have a video monitor, ours only had sound.

- The main drawbacks: I've had more false alarms with this monitor then the other two combined. My son prefers to sleep on the edges of his bassinet and crib, this means he moves out of range of the sensor. Additionally, I don't love having something attached to wires in the crib. Yes the sensor pad is under the mattress, but when Luke is bigger I am nervous he will be able to reach the cords. Finally, for some reason this monitor method is the one I am most likely to forget to turn on/off when placing him into and out of the crib.

 The Angel Care Base Station in his Nursery

A close-up of the Base Station

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None of these are medical devices and nothing can definitively prevent SIDs (Sudden Infant Death Syndrome). However, following the AAP recommended guidelines can decrease risk: Always place your baby on their back to sleep in a crib that is free of all suffocation risks (pillows, blankets, bumpers, and stuffed animals). Prevent overheating by not over-dressing the infant. Avoid second hand smoke exposure.

I was fortunate enough to be able to try 3 different methods to monitor my son and after trying all 3 I would recommend Owlet Baby Monitor. I believe Owlet is worth the extra cost because of the advanced hospital grade technology. I need to see the numbers to feel my son is safe. Additionally, Owlet is the ONLY monitor I tried that has continued to be effective after my son started to roll. I LOVE our Owlet baby monitor and recommend it to all new mamas. 

CLICK HERE  FOR A LIMITED TIME OFFER FOR OWLET

If you have any additional questions about any of these monitors please feel free to comment and let me know.


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Revolutionary New Swaddle

Hooray Littles is a unique form of swaddle designed to be used when the baby needs to be harnessed; such as a swing, stroller, bouncy chair, or car seat. An absolutely genius idea that I wish I had discovered when my son was still a newborn. Like most newborns, Luke was the calmest and would sleep longer if swaddled. Additionally, the motion of his swing was sometimes the only way he would allow me to put him down for more then 5 minutes. We would swaddle him and then try to wrap the harness around him in the swing, the combination of swing and swaddle was magic. Unfortunately, it wasn't safe. Hooray Littles is the answer to this struggle. Your baby can be safely harnessed with a swaddle wrapping around top.

At almost 3.5mo old my son no longer requires swaddling. However, I quickly found that he still benefits from the security added by being wrapped tightly. Luke went from napping for only 30-40 mins at a time in his swing to sleeping almost 2 hours.

The big improvement I would make is to change the fabric. While it is light and airy, it is courser then our other swaddles.

Why Swaddle?

It is no secret that one of the best ways to help a newborn sleep is to swaddle them. Wrapping a newborn snugly with their arms at their sides eliminates the Moro reflex (this reflex is why when there is a loud noise newborns throw their arms out and cry). Additionally, the tight wrap reminds babies of the safety and security they felt when in mommy's womb.

Please be careful when adding anything to your child's car seat because if it did not come with it, it was not crash tested together and could diminish the effectiveness.

- Cost: $28 each
- Value: 4/5
- Functionality:4/5
- Ease of use: 5/5
- Appearance: 3.5/5


While opinions are my own, a swaddle was provided to me for purpose of this review.


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Buttermilk Babies Swaddles, Deliciously Soft

Buttermilk Babies is a native Texas company that creates swaddle blankets.  First, let me say that I love the packaging; it's clean, and clever. They include a home recipe for buttermilk biscuits that I am excited to try. Their swaddles are made from cotton with the addition of bamboo rayon to produce an incredibly buttery soft fabric. Something that sets Buttermilk Babies' swaddles apart from other swaddles is their clever and comical design. I had the joy of using the "Smarty Pants" set. This duo includes the "Brain map", and "Constellations" swaddles. Wrapping my son in "Brain Map" I started to laugh as I noticed they included Boobies and pooping; my son's two favorite things =)
The one thing I do wish Buttermilk Babies would add to their line is a swaddle set that is more feminine. If I had a daughter I would naturally lean toward patterns that are floral and feminine rather then the gender-neutral options.

Why Swaddle?

It is no secret that one of the best ways to help a newborn sleep is to swaddle them. Wrapping a newborn snugly with their arms at their sides eliminates the Moro reflex (this reflex is why when there is a loud noise newborns throw their arms out and cry). Additionally, the tight wrap reminds babies of the safety and security they felt when in mommy's womb.

Ok, now which swaddle to buy? 
These muslin swaddles that are extra-large in size 47"x47" making them a perfect size for newborns babies of all sizes. Then once your child outgrows the need for swaddling these swaddles make a wonderful summer blanket, nursing cover, or car seat cover. 


- Cost: $45 for 2-pack, $75 for 4-pack
- Value: 4/5
- Functionality:5/5
- Ease of use: 5/5
- Appearance: 4/5


While opinions are my own, swaddles from the above brand were provided to me for purpose of this review.


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