Top Oral Development Toys to Promote Baby's Speech and Feeding Skills

The Importance of Oral Development Toys for Babies

Oral development is a critical milestone for babies in their first year of life. As babies explore the world around them, one of the main ways they do so is through their mouth. Babies use their mouths to feed, soothe themselves, interact with objects, and learn. Providing developmentally appropriate toys and activities focused on oral motor skills is key to helping your little one meet speech and feeding goals.

What are Oral Development Toys?

Oral development toys are designed to engage and exercise a baby's mouth, tongue, lips and facial muscles. These types of toys:

• Promote chewing, sucking, biting and licking
• Encourage lip closure, tongue elevation and lateralization
• Improve jaw and mouth coordination
• Develop tongue strength and mobility
• Enhance oral awareness and control

Popular options include rattles, teethers, silicone chews and specialized therapy products. These toys provide gum massage, oral stimulation and resistance to suck, promoting development of oral motor control.

Benefits of Oral Development Toys

Incorporating oral development toys offers many benefits for babies such as:

• Supports feeding skills - Sucking, biting, chewing help strengthen mouth muscles needed for breast or bottle feeding.
• Aids speech development - Control of lips, tongue and jaw are foundations for speech and language.
• Enhances sensory experience - Different shapes and textures provide varied input.
• Develops coordination - Using mouth muscles together promotes motor control.
• Relieves discomfort - Chewing provides relief for sore gums when teething.

As your baby explores their world orally, they are building critical foundations for future development. Oral toys support growth and developmental milestones.

Choosing the Right Oral Development Toys

With so many options available, it can be tricky to select the best oral development toys for your baby. Here are a few tips:

• Focus on toys made of 100% food-grade silicone, organic rubber or wood.
• Ensure any paints or finishes are non-toxic.
• Look for different shapes, textures and resistance levels.
• Consider developmental stage when choosing size and shape.
• Read reviews and recommendations from other parents.
• Inspect for quality construction without sharp edges.

High quality toys from reputable brands ensure safety, durability and effectiveness in promoting oral motor skills.

Oral Development Toys by Age

As your baby grows, their oral development needs change. Here are some great oral toy options tailored to different ages and stages:

Newborn

• Silicone tethered teether - Easy to hold, stimulates gums
• Soft rubber gummy ring - Soothes sore gums when teething begins
• Textured teething glove - Provides tactile input to hands and mouth
• Rattle with easy grip handle - Enhances eye-hand coordination

4-6 Months

• Freezer safe teether - Provides relief from sore gums
• Stacking cups - Promotes biting, chewing as cups engage mouth
• Chew necklace - Supports development of chewing skills
• Ring teether - Encourages lateral tongue movement

6-12 Months

• Silicone chew beads - Fosters chewing strength and endurance
• Textured multi-surface teether - Enhances sensory experience
• Baby safe mirror - Allows self-exploration of mouth
• O-ball - Stimulates control of lips and tongue

Tailoring your selections to your baby's current abilities ensures your oral toys will be interesting, engaging and promote skills growth.

Top Oral Development Toys

When sourcing oral development toys, parents often ask me for specific product recommendations. Here are some of my top picks:

Infantino Textured Teether Ball

This ball teether has a soft silicone exterior with colorful textures babies love to explore. Easy to grasp handle promotes coordination. Multiple surfaces provide diverse sensory input. Dishwasher safe.

Nuby Ice Gel Teether Keys

These freezer safe teether keys provide a cool sensation to soothe sore gums. Bright colors and patterns are visually stimulating. Promotes grasping, holding and chewing. BPA free.

Baby Banana Infant Training Toothbrush and Teether

Shaped like a banana, this teether has soft silicone bristles to massage gums. Doubles as a toothbrush for when first teeth emerge. Handle easy to grasp. Helps develop chewing skills.

Manhattan Toy Winkel Rattle and Teether

This ingenious rattle offers a pliable design that's easy to grasp. Textures and colors provide sensory input. Promotes chewing and biting. Can be refrigerated for added soothing.

Sophie the Giraffe

This classic French teether has delighted babies for over 50 years. The contrasting textures fascinate little hands and mouths. Flexible legs and horns are easy to grasp. Made of 100% natural rubber.

I hope these oral development toy recommendations offer some helpful guidance. At the end of the day, every baby has their own preferences. Observe what engages your little one and don't be afraid to offer a variety of options to support their growth!

FAQs

What age should you introduce oral development toys?

Oral toys can be introduced from birth. Soft, pliable toys like silicone teethers and rattles help babies explore mouthing and chewing movements right away. Offering a variety of textures and shapes enhances sensory development.

How often should baby use oral development toys?

It's ideal to incorporate oral toys into baby's daily play and exploratory activities. Aim for at least a few dedicated minutes focusing just on chewing or gnawing on teethers several times a day. Babies also like to self-soothe by gently mouthing toys.

What safety precautions should be taken with oral toys?

Always supervise baby during play and never leave them alone with small toys they could choke on. Inspect toys for damage regularly and discard if any pieces come loose. Clean toys thoroughly after each use to prevent germ buildup.

How do you know if a teether is working?

Signs a teether is effectively supporting oral development include baby mouthing it voluntarily, engaging in longer chewing sessions, and showing a reduction in drooling or teething discomfort when using the teether.

Which materials are best for oral toys?

Look for 100% food-grade silicone, natural rubber or wood free of BPAs, phthalates and heavy metals. Silicone tends to be the most hygienic and easy to clean option. Prioritize quality from reputable brands.