Teething rings

[NoTeaForMe]

Hi

My 4 month old seems to be having some teeething pains. I have been out today and bought two teething rings. Both say to sterilise them using the cold water method.....what is that?! It says not to put them in a steam steriliser or boiling water!

I seem to have bought one which is from 6 months, why would that be, do you think it's ok to give it to her?I can't see why it's for older babies! It's this one.

Thanks

From personal experience, steam sterilisers melt them! I would just wash it thoroughly in very hot soapy water, rinse under the cold tap and leavet in the fridge to chill in-between uses. (nice and cold on the gums). no need to sterilise.

The cold water method is where you use a solution of cold water and sterilising solution (eg Milton tablets or liquid). Once made up (you can use an old icecream tub or tupperware type box) it lasts for 24hrs and takes 15 mins to sterilise things.

No idea re the age recommendation - maybe it just a guide as to which age they are likey to be able to put it to their mouths/chew on it themselves?

Meant to add that I also wouldn't bother to sterilise it either - just hot soapy water and then air dried.

Thanks for quick replies!

Are you sure about not sterilising them?

Sterilising stuff is not necessary for anything except formula milk bottles and teats because the leftover milk breeds nasty bacteria in vast quantities.

Everything else is dealt with by the hot soapy water. In fact many hospital neonatal units dont routinely recommend sterilising.

Human life has survived millions of years without resorting to sterilising. And at 4 months I imagine your LO is picking all sorts of stuff up and casually gobbing it.

Thanks, that's what I thought but so much is said about sterilising I got sucked in!!