Hi! My 16 month old daughter only has her front top and bottom teeth still, and teething has never been a major issue with us, although she drools plenty, sucks on things, and so on. This past week, she has taken to chewing on the window ledge in her room (luckily, it's not painted - just solid wood), which is causing two an three inch pieces to become soggy and splinter off. This afternoon, when I went in to pick her up from her nap, I saw that she had begun chewing the railing of her crib, which is also solid wood but is stained and varnished. I know there are rubber crib rail covers, but are there any tips on how I can get her to stop chewing on the window ledge (which is exactly mouth high for her, by the way - she isn't climbing up to it)? I thought maybe I could put hot sauce or something natural on it, like cayenne pepper, but I don't want her to put her hands on it, then rub her eyes, causing a burning pain in her sweet little eyes. Any suggestions? Thanks! -L.
Thanks for the responses, ladies! Just a little more information: My daughter has TONS of teething stuff already including rings, toys, dolls, plastic cups, lids, and anything else she can fit into her mouth. She has eaten every single one of her cardboard books, so those aren't even safe anymore! I have never used a pacifier with her, as she has never been much of a crier (prefers to suck her thumb). I like the idea of getting the wooden chew toys. I already have one somewhere, so I will dig it out. I know I can get those at Bambini here in Bend. I won't use the hot sauce, so don't worry! And thanks for letting me know about the window ledge guards!!! If any of you want to get rid of your old ones, please let me know! Thanks!
New update: I just removed the front wall of her crib since it is convertible and she is old enough for the next step...day bed! She is doing great already and now I don't have to worry about her teething on the wooden railing. I wiped apple cider vinegar on the window ledge, and I think that is working. It doesn't taste too bad, but I think it is keeping her away, and it's not harmful to her or the ledge. Thanks for the tips!
Please don't hot sauce your child. It's natural for them to chew on things when they are teething. My daughter chewed on her crib also. Just buy the rubber covers and be done with the worrying. You can't teach a young child to stop doing what seems natural to them. Just make it safe for them. She will stop when she gets her teeth in.
There are foam corner cushions which you can attach along the edge of the sill, or you could temporarily move furniture in front of windows to make them inaccessible.
I also second the wooden teethers. Haba makes all sorts of wonderful wood teethers including wooden pacifier clips that you can attach to her shirt. Lucky you, my son never took an interest in wood teethers and always preferred plastic instead!
gack. My son used to do this...reminded me of a horse cribbing.
I also have vague memories of doing this myself (i can remember off and on from about 1 year)...how wonderful it felt shoving my teeth into something that offered resistance, but that "held" my teeth (aka tooth-marks). Plus it was kind of fun to make a lot, or make them deep, etc. I remember that I preferred wood over cloth/rubber for those reasons, but the memory dies there. I have no idea how my mum handled it. (A problem with a memory that goes back that far, incidentally, is acute embarrassment. Sheesh. What a bizzare series of things to remember...especially when I search and search and search for my car keys).
My two suggestions are this:
1) Redirect whenever you can
2) Broccoli stems, BIG carrots (too big to be put in her mouth and have an end bitten off), potatoes, etc. Frozen, if you like...keeps them from chunking longer. But let's face it...if she's alredy chunking wood...while you have to monitor so she doesn't choke with EITHER at least with the fibrous/hard veggies you don't have to worry about splinters.
Sounds like some of what attracts your daughter to the rail and window sill is location – so convenient, right at mouth level.
So what about attaching a nice, clean wooden dowel inside her crib rail, and see if she'll go for that? Dowels are available at craft, lumber, and hardware stores, and a 1/2 inch thick one should be just about right. And they are smooth, firm, and slightly yielding.
For maximum safety, tie it on HARD with heavy string, knots to the outside. I'd also be inclined to clean it thoroughly first with plain soap and a scrub brush, then pour boiling water over after rinsing thoroughly. (Do NOT use chlorine bleach on wood. This creates dioxins, some of the most toxic and durable poisons in the environment. You don't want them in your baby's system.)
use a teething rail (they are soft and rubbery) on the window ledge...they are just a peel and stick sort of thing and i think they sell at babies r us or one step ahead.com
Try to replace the wood ledge with wood blocks??? That way you know they are protected for children and she may find more interest in playing with them...
I always used frozen veggies for teethers...the mixed veggies are cut to a perfect size, they're cold for teething pain, and healthy to boot!
The simplest solution is to give her things that are appropriate to chew on, such as teething rings.
