Teething Basics
The misery teething sometimes causes your baby to endure can break your heart. Teething can begin as early as 3 months, says Dr. Elizabeth Athans of the department of pediatrics at Nemours Children’s Hospital. “For some babies, teething is painless, and, for others, it can be very painful, with brief periods of irritability, crying jags, and disrupted sleeping and eating patterns.” Comfort and soothe your baby with tried-and-true teething remedies designed to turn those frowns upside down.
Fruity Fun
When Dr. Angelika Rampal’s infant daughter pointed to the fridge, she knew she wanted a dependable teething remedy. The Virginia-based pediatrician sliced up fruit and let her daughter gnaw on oranges, grapefruit and pear slices to ease the pain. The fruit offered a sweet snack and helped soothe her daughter’s gums. “Kids love that stuff, and an orange peel is healthy,” she says. “I prefer to make my own teething remedies—it’s a healthier option.” Be sure to stick to foods that have already been introduced to your child's diet to avoid any potential allergy issues.
Raw Veggies
To be sure her daughter was getting the nutrients she needed while teething, Rampal also used raw veggies as a teething remedy. One of her favorites was frozen cucumber slices. "They need something that has substance," Rampal says. "Kids also want independence and something fun to do while eating. It's novel when they have something cold, plus it helps numb the gums."
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Frozen Wash Cloths
Soothe your child’s teething pain with a frozen wash cloth. Rampal suggested wetting half of the wash cloth and freezing it for at least 30 minutes. “They can then crunch on the frozen part and hold the dry part,” she says. The combination of the coldness on her gums and the security of holding onto the wash cloth may comfort and soothe your fussy infant as those baby teeth break their way through.
Distraction Duty
Distraction is key when your baby is fussy, says Rampal. At the one-year mark and later, it may help to keep your child busy when he is teething. “Kids are exploring so much the first couple of years, so distraction is key,” Rampal says. “Keep them entertained with trips to the park, games and activities to take their mind off of the soreness.”
Rub-a-Dub Gums
When your baby’s gums are aching, come to the rescue with a little TLC. Athans recommends rubbing your baby’s gums with a clean finger. “This helps apply pressure—a distraction to ease baby’s discomfort,” she says. Continue to distract that fussy baby with rocking or even a playful song as you rub the top and bottom gums to soothe the pain.
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Drooling Dilemmas
While babies are teething, it is common for drool to cover the mouth area throughout the day. Athans recommends wiping your child’s face often throughout the day to remove the drool and prevent rashes. A painful rash only adds to your child’s discomfort while teething. As an added measure, try putting petroleum jelly around the mouth while she is sleeping.
