Teething is a process in which the teeth of the babies are about to break through from their gums.
The teething exercise can begin in the kids from the time they turn 6 months old and usually last till they are under 3 years. This is certainly an uncomfortable period for the kids. Just imagine the discomfort of the teeth erupting from the gums. Some babies show little uneasiness but get over it easily. For others, it can be a little disturbing. But do you know how to soothe a teething baby?
Teething Symptoms and Signs
- Tender gums or swollen gums
- Baby drooling excessively
- A slight increase in temperature
- Baby trying to chew all hard objects around
- Some rashes on the face due to the excessive drooling
- Coughing
- Changes in sleeping and eating patterns
- Baby staying irritated and cranky
- Decreased apetite
Tips on How to Soothe a Teething Baby
If your little one feels irritated or looks in pain, read on for our essential tips on how to soothe a teething baby.
1. Serve your baby with chilled food – how to soothe a teething baby
If you have introduced your little one to semi-solid food already, then you can serve with chilled mashed bananas or other chilled soft fruits such as apples, strawberries, mangoes, ripe pears, etc. To prevent choking, it’s advisable to use a mesh feeder where you can cut the fruit and place it inside and give the baby to lick or suck on. You can also serve chilled yogurt or apple sauce.
2. Use Soothers and Teethers for babies -how to soothe a teething baby
You can let your toddler bite on chilled teething toys. These teethers can relieve the irritation for some time especially during the time when their molars are about to grow. You can give these teethers and let them relieve their gums. For best results keep the teether in the refrigerator and cool it before giving it to the baby. While choosing a teether for your baby, pick only the teethers with BPA-free plastic and ones which do not contain gel as it can break inside the mouth.
3. Massage your baby’s gums -how to soothe a teething baby
It will be immensely beneficial to massage your baby’s gums and help in soothing the gums from any pain. To do this properly, after you wash your hands, dip your fingers in cool water and gently massage their gums in circular motions. Repeat this twice or thrice every day.
4. Use a cold washcloth – how to soothe a teething baby
Take a clean piece of a washcloth and dip it in water. Keep the washcloth in the fridge and let it cool for some time. Let your baby hold and chew it, once it is cold. It will help soothe the sore gums. As a word of caution, don’t leave your baby unattended while she is chewing it as it may wrap around the neck or cause a choking hazard
5. Wipe the drooling away – how to soothe a teething baby
Drooling or the saliva flowing from the mouth is one of the signs of teething. Babies drool when they feel irritation during teething. A big problem is that the babies drool a lot during their teething period. If unattended, the saliva can cause rashes on the face and also hamper sleep during the night. While it may not be practically possible to clean every drop each time but try to keep the face clean as much as possible. Gently wipe the drool with good quality and high-absorbing baby bibs and keep the face clean and dry.
6. Plenty of Cuddles for your baby – how to soothe a teething baby
No scientific explanation here, just a mom and baby love and affection. Sometimes the best relief a baby can get from the teething discomfort ( or practically any pain ) is from the mom’s love and cuddles. Your gentle hugs will comfort your baby and relax their mind so that they feel relieved and get the much-needed rest.
Know when to visit the doctor for teething issues
In most cases, teething issues can be handled at home and the baby doesn’t feel sick. However, below are some fewer scenarios when you might want to take professional support –
- temperature exceeds 101 degree F (38 degree C)
- rashes on the face due to excessive drooling
- constant coughing
- vomiting
- diarrhea
- swelling on the face
- bleeding gums
What to avoid during teething – best teething remedies
Be aware of what your baby is putting in the mouth. Avoid things that can not soothe their teeth. Surprisingly some teething aids and teethers available in the market are not safe choices, so pick the best teethers online or from the shelf.
- Avoid teethers which are filled with a liquid or gel as they may tear and spill inside the mouth causing more harm.
- Another thing to avoid is a teether or anything which is made or plastic material. This is important as low quality plastic can break into pieces inside the mouth which can lead to choking.
- Avoid toys or objects that are too harsh on the baby’s mouth.
- Don’t use teethers or any substance made of lead as it is not recommended for baby’s use.
- Teething necklaces are a strict no as they can choke the neck when the baby is not supervised for instance when no one is around or when the baby and mom are asleep. Also, if the necklace breaks the baby may swallow a bead too. Therefore, it is not recommended to have teething necklace for baby.
How to take care of your baby’s teething symptoms
- Until the teeth start to show up, just clean the gums with a cold and wet washcloth for at least once a day.
- When the emerging teeths are noticible enough, start doing the same after every feed.
- After the first birthday of the baby, you can begin brushing their teeth. Take proper care and ensure that the brush has soft bristles as it is gentle on gums and teeth. Also pick a fluoride free toothpaste to avoid any harm. While brushing their teeth wash the brush and make the bristles wet enough and then add only a small amount of toothpaste for the next three months and then increase the amount thereafter.
A few words from CityMom
Teething issues are quite common in babies and are mostly easy to handle. Follow these tips on how to soothe a teething baby and give your baby the needed comfort and relief. However, if your baby appears to be in a lot of pain or refuses to eat or drink for more than a couple of hours, it’s time to take them to the pediatrician for a checkup.
Also, check out the amazing benefits of breastfeeding and see if it’s for you.
References
medlineplus.gov | gov.nl.ca and many others!
