Useful Tips and Remedies for Soothing a Teething Baby

Baby’s experiencing teething is one of the reasons our adorable, angelic little darlings can turn into red-faced, screaming baby’s. Teething is that special time when babies between 6 and 24 months of age feel the push of their new teeth through their gums. It hurts. It’s exasperating. It is also heartbreaking for parents to watch knowing it is a painful, yet necessary process.

So what do you do when your little one has woken you up at 2:00 a.m. and his/her achy gums just can’t seem to be soothed? Take a deep breath. Help is on the way.

I’ll Take a Cold One

The reason there is so much crying (for your baby, not the parent) is because the gums are swollen. What do we do when some part of us has become swollen? We put a cold compress on it.

A simple washrag run under cold water and left in the fridge for a short time can bring that swelling down. Mom or Dad can gently rub it along your baby’s gum line or let them suck on it, as the action will keep them distracted as the cold does its job. Another option is a teething ring. They are made especially for little hands and relieve the sleep-deprived parent of monitoring baby’s chewing and gnawing for a little while. This can also be done with baby’s pacifier.

If a washrag or plastic teething ring from the fridge doesn’t suit you then try a hard veggie like a cold, whole dill pickle or peeled carrot. But keep an eye on your little angel to make sure no pieces break off that could cause choking.

Getting Rubbed Out

An even simpler method of relieving some of the pain associated with teething is to let your baby chew on your own finger. Make sure you’ve washed your hands and have no long or fake nails on that might injure your little one. Then as they take your hand in theirs and insert promptly into their mouth just rub their gums. It’s that simple.

Drooling?

There isn’t a baby on the face of the earth between 6 and 24 months old that doesn’t have a wet chin and bib. Why? They drool. To prevent any rashes, keep your baby’s face as dry as possible in order to cut down on irritation. Add a little moisturizer on those pudgy cheeks that is especially made for babies. It will help keep them rosy and comfortable.

What’s Up, Doc?

If you suspect your baby is in greater discomfort than normal, a stronger medication might be necessary. As with any concern about your baby’s health, consult your pediatrician first as some medications may not be suitable for children. However, if your doctor gives you the green light then a liquid gel or pill may be prescribed to help ease the pain and give both baby and parents a rest. It is recommended to use the medicine in addition to the natural remedies already mentioned.

There are medications that relieve pain in adults that should never be used on teething babies. Even homeopathic cures should be run past your baby’s doctor before being implemented.

Not So Sweet

So, cold rags, binkies, and fingers are all good for your baby to chew on while working through this difficult stage in their new lives. But that doesn’t mean all cold things are good to help teething. Popsicles, juice or anything cold that has sugar will cause more harm than good. Plus, anything that is too cold can impair your child’s gums. Compound that with sweet, sugary things and damaging bacteria can begin to grow.

 So Just Chill

Freezing teething washcloths and toys is not recommended. Why? They become too hard, too abrasive and too cold. A temperature that extreme combined with a rough texture can do damage to your little one’s mouth causing more discomfort than relief. Keeping these teething items chilled, not frozen, will make the whole teething experience much more tolerable for both baby and parents.