A full set of 20 baby teeth can take three years to develop. Symptoms of teething can include irritability, trouble sleeping, sore gums, loss of appetite, excessive drooling, and of course the urge to chew on everything. Not sure how to ease your baby’s teething pain?
Try one of these safe ways to soothe teething!
CHILLED SPOON
A spoon chilled in the fridge (not the freezer, or it can stick!) can offer much-needed relief. Just apply the rounded part of the spoon to baby’s gums. Best for before any teeth actually break through to avoid the risk of chipping a tooth.
BREASTFEEDING
Every baby teethes in her own way. While sucking may aggravate teething pain for some babies, others may want to nurse more often for the sheer comfort of it. Teething does not need to mean the end of breastfeeding; if your baby seems tempted to bite during nursing, try rubbing a clean finger over her gums before beginning and ending the session once she seems full, but not yet bored.
COLD FRUITS
Chilled fruit, like apple slices or banana, placed inside of a mesh feeder can provide relief (and a tasty snack) for a baby with sore gums. You can even put chilled raisins in muslin cloth and give it to your baby to chew on.
FROZEN BABY BOTTLE TRICK
One trick for making baby happier during teething is to put water in a baby bottle and freeze the bottle upside down (so the water is frozen at the nipple). Give it to the baby when he gets fussy, and let him chew on the cold, comforting nipple for a while.
WASHCLOTH
If you’re lucky, the most effective remedy might be the cheapest. Wet a clean washcloth and put it in the fridge or freezer for half an hour. Then give it to your little one to bite and suck. The textured fabric plus the numbing effect from the cold could be the perfect calming combo.
CHEWY FOOD FROM FRIDGE
Chilled foods such as yogurt or applesauce can be a tasty way to gently numb sore gums. For babies and toddlers eating solids, gnawing crunchy cold foods, such as celery, carrots, and even watermelon rinds can be perfect for putting pressure on swollen gums.
ADDITIONAL TIPS:
- Teething often causes plenty of drooling, and the saliva can cause skin irritation that will only make baby feel more uncomfortable. Keep a soft towel handy to wipe off the baby’s mouth and chin area.
- Rub your baby’s face, jaw and gums in a circular motion. Sometimes they’ll resist but other times it hits the spot. You might notice that your baby “self massages” by rubbing her jaw against her mattress or pulling her ears while nursing.