Chew on This: How Baby Led Weaning Can Help with Teething 

Tips and tricks for the teething phase.

Feb. 9, 2022

Baby led weaning bib by Bibbrella

One of the basic tenets of baby led weaning is exactly what it sounds like – having your babe lead the weaning process. So how does this help a child through the teething process?  

When Does the Baby Teething Process Start?

All mammals, including human babies, teeth in stages. Teeth come in five different stages, with the earliest ones coming in as early as 6 months and the latest coming in around 33 months. This also happens to be about when children start weaning. It only makes sense–once those chompers start sprouting, they can begin experimenting with more solid, chewable foods. 

While this sounds like a challenge, baby led weaning can help make this dual process easier. Why? Instead of controlling what your child eats, baby led weaning lets them intuitively select foods that work for them. This allows them to decline ingredients that may agitate any sensations that your little one may be experiencing as they go through the teething process. As much as a parent may think soft food like tofu may be what a teething baby needs or wants, they may not realize that what would actually help “itchy” gums in the moment is something with a bit more bite. 

What to Feed During Teething

Offering food that has a variety of textures and temperatures can be a good way to provide different options without catering too much to fussy eaters. 

Fruit salad or veggies with dip are one tried and true option. Chilled (not frozen) fruits are the perfect pick-me-up snack that not only cools inflamed gums, but is a sweet treat that kids are more inclined to eat. If more than a snack is needed, a chilled noodle salad can offer some relief while still being soft enough for painful gums. 

Of course, always take your child’s teething stage into consideration as you select the best foods to feed them as they go through this stage of growth.

What Not to Feed During Teething

Baby led weaning encourages letting your child take charge of the feeding process, but there are some foods that should be avoided. Teething means that gums can be extra sensitive and you may want to set these ingredients aside until teething sensations subside:

- Acidic or citric foods
- Spicy dishes
- Extreme temperatures–frozen or oven-hot foods
- Salty foods

Ready to let your baby lead the weaning process? Grab a full-length baby bib to help you keep the mess contained! A full-coverage bib like Bibbrella makes weaning a smoother and less stressful process for you, which means that baby gets to have a more enjoyable meal!