Guide To Making Teething Easier For

You And Your Baby

  By Attipas Australia's founder and mum-of-three, Caroline Africh  

Baby Teething Guide

Teething can be a challenging time for both babies and parents. Soreness and swelling may make some little ones fussier and more reluctant about eating.

TEETHING SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS

For most babies, teeth begin to appear between 6 and 10 months. By the age of 3 a child should have a full set of 20  baby teeth (10 in each jaw).

It is not uncommon for babies to experience some pain or discomfort when new teeth break through the gums. Symptoms that indicate your baby may be teething include: red swollen gums, flushed cheeks dribbling irritability or restlessness a slight fever pulling the ear on the same side as the erupting tooth sucking fingers and fists.

Mild teething problems may be eased by the baby chewing on hard objects such as a chilled teething ring, sugar-free rusk or sugar-free teething biscuits.

These are the basic facts about teething and some baby teething home remedies to make this stage of parenthood more comfortable.

Basic Facts About Teething

1. Know the typical schedule. You can usually expect to see baby teeth appear when they're about 3 to 6 months of age. Check with your doctor if the first teeth don't appear by their first birthday.

   
   

2. Expect different reactions to different teeth. The lower front teeth will usually appear first and the very first baby tooth may cause the most discomfort. Big molars or cutting several teeth at once may also be difficult.

   
   

3. Pay attention to more serious symptoms. Teething used to be regarded as dangerous mostly because it got blamed for other developments that babies are prone to at around the same age. Check with your doctor or healthcare professional if you see symptoms of slight fever, congestion or diarrhoea. They may indicate a viral infection.

   
   

Remedies To Make Teething More Comfortable

1. Massage your baby's gums. Gently rubbing your child's gums gently for a couple of minutes with a clean finger. They may resist at first but they'll come around if it helps to provide some pain relief.

   
   

   If pain persists and causes sleepless nights seek further advice from your local pharmacist or doctor.

   
   

2. Buy a teething ring. Store-bought chew toys and teething rings will help your baby to relieve pressure on their gums and make them less likely to gnaw on other objects that could be toxic. Pick whatever style your baby prefers.

   
   

3. Make your own teething toys. A bottle filled with plain cold water may be all your baby needs. Washcloths or terrycloth toys dipped in water and chilled are also good options.

   
   

4. Take proper care of all teething rings. Clean all teething products after each use. Take frequent breaks to limit the amount of time a very cold object has direct contact with your baby's gums.

   
   

5. Serve your baby cold foods. Many babies may have trouble eating solid foods because sucking increases blood flow and sensitivity in the gums. Foods like popsicles and cold apple sauce can ease the pain by numbing the area. Older babies may also like chewy frozen foods like bagels.

   
   

6. Clean up drool promptly. Babies drool more when they're teething. Try using absorbent bed sheets. Wiping your baby's chin frequently with a clean cloth will also help to keep them dry and reduce the risk of rashes.

   
   

7. Use pain relievers designed for babies. Check the labels to be sure a pain reliever suitable for babies.

   
   

8. Talk with your doctor before using any oral gel. Some doctors advise against teething gels with ingredients like benzocaine because of the potential for toxic reactions. Your doctor or healthcare professional can help explain the risks.

   
   

9. Avoid alcohol. Even small amounts of alcohol can be harmful, so check medicine labels carefully.

   
   

10. Keep all teeth clean. Tooth care is important from when your baby's first tooth arrives. Primary teeth need to be kept clean to prevent tooth decay and any future dental problems. Wipe baby's teeth with a soft cloth until there are enough teeth to need a soft toothbrush. After a few teeth appear use a small, soft toothbrush with no toothpaste.

    
    

11. Schedule your child's first visit to the dentist. Plan on taking your child to the dentist about 6 months after their first tooth appears or before their first birthday, whichever comes first. Early checkups enable your dentist to spot irregularities and advise you about any special dental care your child needs.

    
    

Most children sail through teething with no symptoms at all and some simple home baby teething remedies will be all that's needed to ease most cases of fussiness or challenges with eating.

Remember Baby teeth are important, so take good care of your child's teeth.

As always, talk with your doctor about any concerns you have about your child's development and get your baby off to a good start with good oral health.

Are you struggling to get shoes on your baby?

The whole idea behind Attipas baby shoes is that less is more. Goodbye to heavy shoes and socks, and hello to lightweight, practical, flexible shoe-socks that let babies 'feel' the ground.

Attipas slip on like a sock, saving you time as you rush your toddler out the front door. That’s why our founder, Caroline Africh, originally brought Attipas to Australia and our entire range can easily replace all the other shoes and socks in your baby's cupboard. 

As Seen at the Oscars!

Attipas baby shoes made it to the Oscars! Founder Caroline Africh and her team were flown to Hollywood where they handed out Attipas baby shoes to celebrities including Zoe Saldana, who is a huge fan.

Caroline also made an appearance on the Today Show where she talks to David Campbell and Sonia Kruger about getting close and personal with Ryan Gosling!

While other brands may sell 'first shoes' for babies, Attipas are the only baby shoes that successfully mimic barefoot walking.  And the evidence is clear.

Attipas baby shoes come in six sizes and can be worn from 6 months to 4 years. They start from $39.95 and are sold on the Attipas Australia website.

Attipas baby shoes come in over 50 colours in an identical design that slips on like a sock but supports like a shoe. Bestsellers include Attipas Sneaker: cute, sneaker-style shoes that look like traditional Converse; Attipas Rainbow: unisex, bright and bold stripes that match any outfit; Attipas Ballet: soft pastel tones, a favourite for girls; and Attipas Marine: cute nautical themed pre-walkers, a favourite for boys.

Our founder, Caroline Africh, discovered Attipas baby shoes on a holiday in Japan and knew she needed to bring them to Australia. As a mum of a then 1 year old, Caroline had unique insight into exactly what a toddler should be wearing on their feet while learning to walk. An avid fan of the barefoot movement, Caroline says: “As a new mother, I was very conscious about selecting the right first shoes for my baby.”

“The biggest mistake parents make when choosing first baby shoes is that they think they need to be structured,” Caroline says. “The reality is that science really speaks for itself. Being barefoot helps baby develop brain function and the barefoot movement has been massive for decades. When choosing suitable pre-walking shoes for babies, parents need to select something that mimics the concept of walking barefoot.” 

Long before Caroline founded Attipas Australia, she had two very successful careers—first as an auditor, and then secondly as a project manager.

Caroline began her career as an IT auditor in the early 2000's, working for PwC Sydney as a graduate. Not feeling as though she 'fit in', it was then she realised her aspirations to become an entrepreneur — which she would later fulfil by bringing Attipas shoes to Australia.

At age 25, Caroline packed her bags and moved to London, and just like that, she worked her way up the chain to become a Project Manager in an investment bank. Over the next five years, she managed several large-scale IT implementations however still felt like something was 'missing' from her work life.

In her early 30s, Caroline had a baby and moved back to Sydney. After nearly a decade working in corporate, Caroline wanted to start her own business and become an entrepreneur. As a new mum conscious about baby foot health, Caroline discovered Attipas shoes in Japan and knew it was her inner calling to bring Attipas to Australia. We are proud to say: she succeeded. As seen on the Today Show, at the Oscars and on Shark Tank, over 500k pairs have been sold since Attipas arrived in 2012.

Caroline's 'less-is-more' approach to toddler foot health has been adopted by hundreds of thousands of Australian parents, who use Attipas on their babies every single day.

“Caroline's 'less-is-more' approach to toddler foot health has been adopted by hundreds of thousands of Australia parents, who use Attipas on their babies every single day.”

What our customers are saying about us...

“We bought these for our then 11 month old and they are the perfect baby shoe! They protect little toes, are easy to walk in even for an early walker, and the sock-style means she can't pull them off. She's one now and loves them so much that she sometimes brings them to you to put them on for her, even inside! Very glad we bought the next size up as well.” — Victoria

All Attipas Products are tailor-made for environmentally conscious families.

We care about making our products safe and healthy for you—and our planet. That’s why our products are non-toxic and contain no formaldehyde or BPA.  They are also vegan-friendly and not tested on animals. We also keep packaging to a minimum and use cardboard over plastics where possible.

Anyone can have allergies. If your baby or toddler has any discomfort or a rash develops, discontinue use and consult your doctor.