How to Soothe Your Teething Baby: Essential Tips for Parents
It can be quite challenging when a child starts teething. Although it is nice to finally see your baby’s first teeth coming in, teething generally causes symptoms such as discomfort, irritability, and lack of sleep. But guess what? Fortunately, there are many things you can do to lessen your baby's teething discomfort and make this process easier. Here is a list of tips to help with a teething baby.
A teething ring is one of the oldest and most trusty aids that can be helpful while a baby is teething. Both of these rings have to be in the shape of a teething ring, one that is designed to be safe for a baby to chew on while helping to massage the gums that may be sore. To strengthen the effect, you can also put a teething ring in the refrigerator, but not in the freezer because the ring will become very hard and dangerous for your baby’s gums. It is crucial to always keep a close eye on your baby when they are using a teething ring and never put it around the baby’s neck.
For babies who are over six months who have begun on some foods, then cold or softer foods can help in this situation. Someone needs to chew something to ease the discomfort; cooled cucumber sticks, soft pieces of melon or even a crust of bread can be helpful. This type of food must be given to the baby under supervision to avoid the risk of choking. Do not give your child foods high in sugar or that are sticky as these might contribute to tooth decay even before some teeth grow.
Gels for soothing teething can be effective for a short time, but should be taken with great care. Always go for gels designed for babies and do not use over-the-counter gels made for adults as these contain benzocaine which is dangerous for the infant. It’s also wise to avoid homeopathic teething gels that are not approved for safety, as some have been linked to negative side effects.
If your baby is very unsettled during teething, single-dose sugar-free infant paracetamol or ibuprofen may help relieve the discomfort. These should only be given to babies that are more than three months old and should do this under the recommended dosages. Do not administer aspirin to a child or baby under 16 because it may cause severe health complications.
It is sometimes possible to understand that really simple scenarios are indeed the best ones. You can make use of your finger to wipe gently along your baby’s inflamed gums in order to soothe them. You can even cool your finger or bring a damp wash cloth to make the massage all the more comfortable. A cold washcloth can also be a chewing aid since the material is soft while also offer an appropriate cool, chewing surface for your baby to chew on.
Drooling usually increases during the teething process and your baby may develop red, raw, or irritated skin around the mouth and chin area. To avoid this, wipe away excess drool with a soft cloth whenever you see it or after every 15 minutes, and get a drool bib to ensure that the chest and clothes of the baby are not spoilt. Interestingly using a baby moisturizer can also be ensured that their skin is also protected from harsh weather.
As soon as your baby develops the milk teeth then you can break the ice and commence care. Dip a small, soft toothbrush in a smear of fluoride toothpaste and clean his/her teeth morning and before bedtime. For children under the age of three years, use even less toothpaste than that is recommended, just using a small pea-sized amount. You should also take your baby for his/her first dental appointment before one year of age, to lay good root on oral hygiene.
Babies usually become irritable during teething and this discomfort usually lasts through the night and your baby will not be the only one with sleepless nights, even parents will lack sleep. Here are a few tips to help your baby settle during this time:
While it’s natural to want to try anything to relieve your baby’s teething pain, it’s important to avoid certain methods that can be dangerous:
Teething is a standard process in your child’s growth, but it can cause discomfort to you and your little one. Parenting experts agree that there are safe ways to soothe teething babies, and below are some of the safe and effective ways of soothing a teething baby: The use of teething rings, gentle gum massage plus offering healthy foods. If your baby develops severe symptoms during teething, always consult your pediatrician, and every baby teething in his/her own unique way. Trying to understand that this too is part of being a couple and with proper understanding both of you will pull through this stage with grace smiling back at both of you.
