As we all know, every child teethes! Some babies pop out sporting a tooth, while most will have their first tooth appear around 5-6 months. By age 2, most toddlers will have a mouth full of 20 beautiful, new teeth. If you think about it, that is a lot of work for a baby’s mouth and gums. It’s also a lot of work for the parents of that growing child. Every parent I speak with has a different story. Some children aren’t at all fazed by the process while others are miserable for months.

My kids, now 5 and 3, were on the miserable end of the scale. They both started teething very early. My first child would cry and gnaw on everything from crib rails and fingers to washcloths. Although the teething process started early, she was late to have her first teeth appear and had only 2 teeth on her first birthday.

I remember so clearly how helpless I felt seeing my child in pain. I tried everything to help her: natural remedies, breastfeeding, medication, massage, and teething toy after teething toy. What I found was that she seemed to teethe best on items that I didn’t want in her mouth! Can you relate?

On my journey as a mother and in starting a teething toy company, I have learned many valuable things. Here are a few important lessons that I’d like to share.

1. Teething is a process.

Your child will need a variety of tools to help ease the pain. Sometimes they need hard surfaces to help the teeth move closer to the gumline. Sometimes they need cool surfaces to ease sore, swollen gums as the teeth surface. Follow your child’s lead.

2. Keep things simple!

Be aware of chemicals and possible toxins that are in items your baby is chewing on. The more natural the product is, the better it is for your baby. That being said, you always need to make sure the items you give your child are not choking hazards. One easy way to test if something is potentially dangerous is to perform the “toilet paper roll test”. If an object you’re considering giving your child falls easily through the centre of a toilet paper roll, your child could choke on it.

3. This too shall pass.

On those REALLY hard days, when you feel helpless and your child is rashy, drooly, and uncomfortable, remember, the teeth will come in eventually and the discomfort will ease. I have learned from my experience working at a children’s hospital that a child can feel their parent’s stress and anxiety. As much as possible, in those times of unrest, try to stay calm. Perhaps sing to your child. It can be a great way to distract you both and bring comfort to the situation.

Enjoy the journey,

Shaindy

About Shaindy Alexander: A creative entrepreneur and mother of two, Shaindy Alexander brings years of experience in child development to her work as founder and creator of RiNGLEY natural teething toys (www.ringlenatuaralteethingtoys.com).  When she’s not creating new RiNGLEY products or overseeing her company’s global success, Alexander works as a Child Life Specialist at Toronto’s Hospital for Sick Children. In this role, she supports children and their families through stressful experiences.

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When Shaindy Alexander’s daughter was 2-months-old, she started teething. But, she didn’t get her first tooth until she was one. “It was a long, painful, and stressful time for all of us,” says the mother of two, and creator of RiNGLEY natural teething toys. “The only things that seemed to help her were sucking on a washcloth in the bathtub or gnawing on the wood of her pacifier clip or the side of her crib.” Alexander was concerned about the chemicals her baby girl was ingesting from the paint on the crib and the dyes and laundry detergent on the washcloths. She was eager to find a natural solution that would ease her daughter’s pain. 

“My idea was to buy some untreated wood and organic cloth and throw together a teething ring that would be safe for my daughter to use,” she recalls. Little did Alexander know how difficult it would be to source these materials in their natural form. She ended up sourcing a wood specialist to help make well-crafted rings and ordering fabric in bulk. She then created a batch of teethers which she sold at a local baby store.

That was in 2007. 

Today, RiNGLEY is an award-winning international success story—distributing its premiere all-natural teethers and teething toys to more than a dozen countries around the globe. Still, the products have remained as natural and safe as always! 

All RiNGLEY products are made with two effective teething tools: untreated Maple wood—renowned for its antibacterial properties and for being one of the strongest and safest types of wood for children to suck on—and 100 percent organic cotton terrycloth.

Having won accolades for its original products: RiNGLEY straight, knotted, junior and sun, RiNGLEY launched the adorable ZooLEY line in 2011. This line of soothing teething toys was inspired by nature and the animals all kids love.  Now NEW in 2012 the playful monkey, elephant, and turtle will be filled with natural earth-friendly Cornfill. 

Babies are instantly drawn to RiNGLEY products because of the warm graspable shapes and soothing textures. Newer styles of RiNGLEY teethers are made with Velcro, meaning parents can detach the terry cloth and throw it in the washing machine. All RiNGLEY products are BPA-free and contain no PVC or parabens.

“Parents now realize that the things babies put in their mouths can be harmful. We’re all taking time to read labels and educate ourselves about what we’re exposing our kids to,” says Alexander. “With RiNGLEY, parents don’t have to worry about any of that. Our teethers are completely natural, safe, and comforting. Plus, with our new  ZooLEY line, you’ll find your kids playing with their favorite animals long after all their teeth have come in!”

About RiNGLEY:

Founded by Shaindy Alexander in 2007, RiNGLEY is a Canadian-based company that’s become famous for its all-natural teethers and teething toys. Made from untreated Maple wood and organic terrycloth, RiNGLEY products are safe, eco-friendly, and loved by teething babies and toddlers around the globe. Available in more than 400 stores across North America and in more than 12 countries around the world, RiNGLEY teethers and toys retail from $15.99 to $24.99. These award-winning products have passed all North American and European safety standards. To find a local retailer near you, or for more information, visit http://www.ringley.ca or contact RiNGLEY at 416-471-6468 or info@ringley.ca

About Shaindy Alexander, Owner:

A creative entrepreneur and mother of two kids five and under, Shaindy Alexander brings years of experience in child development to her work as founder and creator of RiNGLEY. When she’s not creating new RiNGLEY products or overseeing her company’s global success, Alexander works part-time as a Child Life Specialist at a Children’s Hospital in Toronto. In this role, she helps normalize the hospital environment through play and education, thus helping children gain some control over stressful life events.

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