At a Glance
- Bridget Levine gives her baby boiled steak instead of plastic teethers
- She says steak is high in heme iron and supports jaw development
- Levine also makes bone-marrow lollipops for mild illness relief
- Why it matters: Parents seeking natural alternatives are responding to her Instagram videos in droves
A California mom has traded traditional plastic teethers for a surprising substitute: boiled steak. Bridget Levine, who documents her parenting journey on Instagram at @bridgetmlevine, says the choice is rooted in nutrition science and oral development rather than novelty.
Why Steak Instead of Plastic
Levine tells News Of Los Angeles she wanted to avoid additives that can leach from plastic teethers.
“I try to be intentional about what my baby puts in her mouth, especially during teething when items stay there for long periods of time,” she explains. “Many plastic teethers can contain additives or break down with heat and wear.”
The decision also stems from her philosophy on baby items serving more than one purpose.
“I also like to think about whether something serves a purpose beyond just distraction. For us, food-based options felt more natural and supportive of both development and nutrition when used safely and under close supervision,” she says.
The Science Behind the Steak
Levine says the idea emerged while she was researching early infant nutrition.
“[The idea for steak] came from learning more about early infant nutrition and oral development,” she notes. “Babies have high iron needs early on, and steak is naturally rich in heme iron, which is the form of iron the body absorbs most easily.”
She highlights three benefits:
- Iron boost: Heme iron is readily absorbed by infants
- Jaw workout: Chewing on the steak exercises developing muscles
- Texture exploration: Babies experience real food textures safely
“It also allows babies to work their jaw and explore texture. Compared to plastic, it felt like something that could support both development and nutrition at the same time, even if very little is actually consumed,” she adds.
How It Worked for Her Daughter
Levine reports her daughter took to the steak teether immediately.
“She was curious, engaged and excited to explore it with her hands and mouth,” she recalls. “There was no pressure to eat it. It was simply about exposure and experience.”
The process is straightforward:
- Boil a small, thick cut of steak until tender
- Cool to a safe temperature
- Supervise while baby gums the meat
- Discard after use
## Food as Medicine
The steak teether is only one part of Levine’s food-first approach. When her daughter shows mild cold symptoms, Levine reaches for bone-marrow lollipops before considering medicine.
“When possible, I prefer food-based support before reaching for medication, especially for mild symptoms,” she states.
She freezes small portions of roasted bone marrow on sticks, creating a nutrient-dense pop that soothes sore gums and provides fats she says can be comforting.
“Bone marrow contains fats and nutrients that can be soothing, and offering it frozen can also help during teething or general discomfort,” she explains.
She emphasizes that she still consults her pediatrician when symptoms feel beyond the scope of home care.
Viral Response and E-book
Levine’s Instagram reels showing the steak teether and marrow pops have drawn hundreds of thousands of views.
“The response showed me how many parents are curious about early nutrition, but feel overwhelmed or unsure where to start,” she observes.
Encouraged by the feedback, she compiled her tips into a downloadable guide.
“That feedback is what inspired me to create a Baby’s First Foods e-book, so parents can have clear, practical information and simple recipes in one place, without having to piece it together themselves,” she says.
Key Takeaways
- Natural alternative: Boiled steak replaces plastic teethers for one intentional mom
- Dual purpose: The method aims to soothe gums while supplying iron and texture experience
- Community interest: Viral videos indicate strong parent curiosity about food-based infant care
- Safety first: Levine stresses close supervision and pediatrician consultation when needed
