SOOTHING YOUR BABY’S TEETHING

Peggy Haven
Sep 5, 2018 · 3 min read
“toddler's holding blue teether” by Connor Limbocker on Unsplash

Oh teething, how dare you! You came in with such a bang that every time a tooth broke through the gums, it caused so much suffering to my kids. They each experienced symptoms of drooling, not wanting to eat or sleep, having slight fevers, wanting to chew on things, their poor gums were sore, and they were so unbelievably cranky. I kept trying different techniques to ease their pain until the teeth came in but what worked for one, did not work for the other.

Word of Caution

Refrain from giving your child any homeopathic tablets, rubbing gels, or any over the counter medication that relieves pain, because they contain one of the ingredients benzocaine or lidocaine which are known to be harmful to your baby.

Use a Washcloth

Put a wet washcloth in a freezer with one end dry for your baby to hold while using it. Remember to only keep it in there for twenty minutes any longer can freeze it and cause your baby harm. It can either be used by rubbing on the gums or letting your baby chew on it.

Rub Your Baby’s Gums

You can gently rub your baby’s gums with your clean finger or even use a wet gauze pad.

Teethers

Offer your baby a soft rubber teething ring or a toy like Sophie the Giraffe to chew on that are considered non-toxic and BPA- free to use. It should only be kept in the fridge and not in the freezer, to keep it cool and when it is not in use. There are other options for teethers like fluid filled ones, but they tend to leak especially after constant use. Look for whichever one you feel is best and keep an eye on your baby while he or she is using either a teether or a toy.

Mesh Feeders

It’s similar in shape to a pacifier, and it contains two pieces, a mesh material, and a rubber holder. You can use it for teething in two different ways. The first way is if your baby isn’t eating soft foods yet, then you can freeze either breast milk or formula in an ice tray and place a cube in the feeder. Also, if your baby is eating soft foods, you offer him or her a frozen fruit cube in the feeder.

Teething Necklaces

There are many options of teething necklaces that are made to be worn either by you or your baby. There are some that can be worn by you while holding your baby that he or she can chew on and then there is one that your baby can wear which are called Amber teething necklaces. Once your baby wears it, the heat from their body heats the Amber in which it releases the oils that have Succinic Acid into their bloodstream, and it helps ease their discomfort from the pain. Always supervise your child when in use due to the possible risk of choking or strangulation. Make sure to remove it before taking a bath, taking a nap, at bedtime, and it is securely fastened every time your baby is wearing it. If you decide to use it, please keep in mind there have been both negative and positive feedback from its use.

Watch out for the Drool

The excessive drooling from teething, can cause a rash on your baby skin, which can bring on some discomfort, but always keep a soft cloth close by to wipe the drool away. Ask your pediatrician what type of creams you can use to help heal and comfort the area.

Over the Counter Medicine

You can use Tylenol, Motrin, or Advil to help ease the pain, but only use it when necessary and follow the correct dosing amount. (Consult your Pediatrician)

What other tips you may have for soothing your teething baby? Please let us know in the comments!

Peggy Haven

Written by

Writer, Mom, and Coffee Drinker peggyhwriting@gmail.com

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