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9. How frequently do I need to replace the silicone sacs?
The silicone sac needs to be replaced at the first sign of damage or tearing.
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10. My child is having trouble holding onto finger foods. Does that mean he isn't ready for them?
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.
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11. My baby loves eating and gobbles the food from the feeder so fast! What can I do? She gets upset when I take the feeder from her to refill it.
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!
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12. Food allergies run in our family, does this also mean my child will have an allergy?
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.
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13. When can I expect to see my child’s first tooth?
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.
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14. My 4 month old baby is drooling and chewing on his hand, does this mean he is teething?
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.
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15. My baby has a fever and a touch of diarrhoea. Is that because he's teething?
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.
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16. How can I soothe my teething baby?
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.