When babies’ first teeth start coming through it is a big step in their development, but it can also be very uncomfortable and even painful for babies. Teething begins at about three months of age with some drooling and continues up to three years of age when the first set of baby teeth is in place. Some babies have no problem whatsoever with teething, but other babies will cry inconsolably and have difficulty sleeping due to the pain. This is why you should consult this Dentist based in Modesto for professional dental guidance during this period.
The first important thing to note is that teething does not cause fevers, nasal congestion, or diarrhea, so if your baby has these symptoms, talk to your child’s healthcare professional to find out what’s causing the problems. Whilst these symptoms are unrelated to teething, babies can still be extremely irritable when a tooth is breaking through so we need to make them comfortable. In this article, we have some really useful tips on how to ease your baby’s sore gums when teething.
1. Use A Cold, Wet Washcloth
The most effective way to ease your baby’s discomfort during the teething process is to give them something to chew on. There are various toys available on the market like frozen teething rings, but one really effective thing to give your baby is a cold, wet washcloth. This is a simple solution but it really does work, and when babies start chewing away on a washcloth, they absolutely love it. Just take a washcloth, wet it with clean, sterilized water, and then pop it in the freezer for about 20 minutes.
The cold temperature will have to soothe your baby’s sore gums and teeth. Have a few washcloths prepared in the freezer or refrigerator so that when the cloth your baby is chewing on gets too warm, you can switch it.
2. Give Your Baby Frozen Baby Food
Another solution to provide relief to your baby from the pain of teething is to give them frozen baby food to gnaw on. Put your baby’s favorite baby food into a piping bag, line a baking tray or big plate with greaseproof paper, and squeeze out little dots, about the size of large chocolate chips. These are so great for baby’s who are teething because they are hard enough for your baby to gnaw on, providing relief for their gums, but your baby will not be able to choke on them because they will melt in their mouth.
You can also use frozen fruit and vegetables for older babies and toddlers who are teething, which are great for easing discomfort and will also introduce your child to new healthy foods.
3. Keep The Gums And New Teeth Clean And Healthy
Once a tooth is broken through, it is really important to keep it clean by washing it or going over it each day with a damp washcloth. If the tooth gets big enough, use a baby toothbrush. One of the other big problems associated with teething is drooling rash. This can occur on your baby’s cheeks and underneath their chin when saliva from your baby during teething comes onto their face and the chemicals irritate the skin.
To prevent this, either use a cloth diaper at night against your baby’s head or underneath their neck to absorb the moisture from the saliva or better yet, put some petroleum jelly on their cheeks and around their mouth so it serves as a barrier. When saliva rolls down their cheeks and chin, it won’t irritate the skin and will leave your baby’s face looking beautiful while he or she is teething.
4. Avoid Harmful Solutions
There are a few commonly used solutions that should actually be avoided as they can have some very harmful consequences. The first thing you need to avoid is numbing gels. Numbing gels often have an ingredient in them that work great for adults but are easy to overdose on for children. Numbing gels wear off very quickly and so you need to constantly reapply it which increases the chances of a serious reaction.
Another thing to avoid, which have become really popular recently, are amber teething necklaces. Whilst there are some properties of amber that can be beneficial, at a certain temperature, they can actually be a choking hazard.
Teething is a natural part of your baby’s development but can be a very uncomfortable and painful time. Making sure that you take the right steps to ease your baby’s sore gums to help make your baby as comfortable as possible is really important. If your baby is teething, follow the tips in this guide to help them get through this difficult moment in their lives.
I’m a 20-something stay-at-home mother and wife. I have an amazing husband, a beautiful daughter, two loving dogs, and a lazy cat. I wouldn’t change my life for anything! I love to read, listen to music, cook and blog!
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