Teething Toys and Teething Rings
Generally, teething rings or teething toys are safe. However, you should keep in mind that not all of these toys are created equal. Some teething rings contain harmful chemicals because they are made from plastic. Plastic is known to contain toxic chemicals like PVC, phthalates, BPA or bisphenol-A and many others. Regardless whether the teething toy is labeled as BPA-free, you should be wary about the potential harm of plastic toys. Remember that your baby will be putting this teething toy into her mouth. Never settle for anything dangerous because there are plenty of safer alternatives out there.
Teething rings made from natural rubber, silicone, wood and even cloth are considered safer than their plastic counterparts. Moreover, these toys are more eco-friendly because these materials are renewable and sustainable.
Safety should be at the top of your list when looking for the best toys for teething babies. Never fall to marketing hype and do your own research on the teething rings you think can help your child during the entire teething process.
Some of these toys contain fillings that provide comfort and help relieve pressure in the gums. However if you are worried that the baby might poke holes in the teether and accidentally ingest the filling then it is better to stay away from this type of teether.
You should also check the durability of the teether before making your purchase. Keep in mind that babies usually throw or drop teethers on the ground and these toys could end up in your nappy bag, strewn all over the floor so they have to be durable. But then again, never compromise safety with durability.
If budget allows, it is a good idea to buy different kinds of safe teethers so that your baby can find the best teething toy for her.
Why should you avoid plastic teething toys?
As we have mentioned in the previous paragraphs, plastic toys are never safe regardless if they are labeled as such. Many studies were conducted on teething rings and teething toys that were labeled as BPA-free and as it turned out these toys still contained BPA. Furthermore, BPA is not the only harmful chemical that is present in these teethers. Other chemicals like PVC, cadmium and phthalates are just as dangerous as BPA.
What are the effects of BPA, PVC and phthalates?
BPA or bisphenol-A is a known hormone disruptor and some experts even consider it a carcinogen. It has been linked to serious health issues like heart diseases, diabetes and hypertension. BPA is commonly found in hard plastics. While there are many teething toys that are labeled as BPA-free, it is better to stay away from this kind of teether.
PVC or Polyvinyl chloride is one of the world’s most produced plastic polymers. PVC is known to contain heavy metals, lead and chlorine. It is commonly added to other materials to make them soft and pliable.
Phthalates are known as hormone disruptors like BPA or bisphenol-A. This particular chemical is never listed on any product packaging and is often disguised as fragrance.
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