Should You Introduce Hard Munchables When the Baby is Teething?

Why Teething Makes Softer Foods More Appealing

During active teething, your baby's gums are inflamed and sensitive. Pressure on inflamed tissue is uncomfortable, and sometimes this naturally makes your baby cautious about firm contact in the mouth. Pouches and purees bypass this discomfort entirely — they require minimal jaw effort and no contact with sore gum surfaces. From some baby's perspective, they are the path of least resistance.

This is a reasonable protective response. The issue is that teething can be near-continuous for months, and a diet that defaults to smooth and soft for extended periods during the first year misses a critical window for jaw development (Harris & Mason, 2017).

The Counterintuitive Case for Hard Munchables During Teething

While it might seem that teething is the worst time to introduce firm textures, it can actually be one of the better times — if approached correctly. The counter-pressure from a firm object on inflamed gum tissue can provide temporary relief by stimulating the gum surface and interrupting the pain signal. This is the traditional rationale for hard teething biscuits and why babies who are teething often actively seek out firm things to bite on.

The key word is counter-pressure, not hard impact. The firmness needs to be sustained and gradual — not sharp or unyielding — so the contact is relieving rather than painful. A product that starts firm and softens progressively provides this kind of pressure profile naturally.

How Bickiepegs Work During Teething

Bickiepegs provide the kind of sustained, progressive counter-pressure that can soothe inflamed gums while simultaneously giving the jaw muscles something to work against. They are firm enough to withstand a baby who is seeking gum pressure through chewing on things.

They do not contain any added sugar, added salt or artificial flavourings or preservatives — which matters during teething, when the gum tissue is broken down and more exposed to whatever is in direct contact with it.

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Frequently Asked Questions

My baby refuses everything firm when teething. What should I do?
Reduce but do not eliminate. On the most difficult days, offer just briefly — thirty seconds to a minute — without pressure. On days when teething is less acute, offer more normally. Maintaining some contact with firmer textures across the teething period, even if sessions are shorter and less engaged than usual, is more valuable than pausing entirely until teething is over.

Is it okay to freeze a Bickiepeg for teething relief?
The NHS advises against freezing teething items because the frozen surface can be too hard and potentially damage delicate gum tissue (NHS, 2023). Chilled is fine — place the biscuit in the refrigerator for a short time before offering. The cool temperature can help soothe inflammation without the risk of a frozen surface.

My baby is eating much less solid food during teething. Is that normal?
Yes, very common. Appetite often dips during acute teething phases because eating is uncomfortable. If your baby is feeding normally on milk (breast or formula) and the reduced solids appetite lasts no more than a few days at a time, this is typically within the normal range. If reduced appetite persists for more than a week, speak with your health visitor.

References

Harris & Mason (2017) — Are There Sensitive Periods for Food Acceptance in Infancy? — https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5438435/. Current Nutrition Reports.

NHS (2023) — Tips for Helping Your Teething Baby — https://www.nhs.uk/baby/babys-development/teething/tips-for-helping-your-teething-baby/.

Liang et al. (2024) — Functional adaptation of the infant craniofacial system to mechanical loadings arising from masticatory forces — https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11286155/. Proceedings of the Royal Society B.

Disclaimer

The content in this article is intended for general informational purposes only and should not be considered medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult your physician or a qualified healthcare professional for guidance regarding any medical concerns. Bickiepegs Healthcare is not liable for any outcomes resulting from the use of this information.

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