Teething is a difficult process all babies have to go through. When teeth start to emerge through the gums, it can cause an infant immense discomfort. Your baby will begin to exhibit some common symptoms, such as swollen gums, irritability and drooling. Your baby will also want to chew on everything he or she can get ahold of. If you need to get your baby to stop squirming and screaming, the you should try the following teething tricks to make this time better for your infant.
Give Your Baby Something To Chew On
You will want to monitor your baby when he or she is chewing on something. You do not want your baby to grab something ill-advised to chew on. Teething rings can be found in a number of stores. You just want to make sure you do not freeze the ring first. You should also opt for an all-natural teething ring that was not made with potentially toxic chemicals.
If you do not have a ring readily available, then you can give your baby a clean facecloth to chew on. For infants who have started to eat finger foods, you can even offer chewy foods, such as raw fruits and vegetables. Not only will this sooth sore gum tissue, but it will also help strengthen the jaw muscles. Watermelon, celery and carrots are best. You just want to make sure a large chunk does not break off the food and fall into your baby’s mouth.
Apply a Topical Gel
You should consult with your child’s pediatrician before applying a topical gel or anesthetic to your baby’s gums. You want to make sure whatever you apply is safe. Your pediatrician can even prescribe you a gel or medication to help with the teething process.
Above all else, it is paramount to keep your doctor in the loop during the teething process. It is natural for a baby to drool a lot and have a runny nose during this time. However, if your infant has an extreme loss of appetite or starts vomiting, then something is wrong. Do not hesitate to take your infant to the pediatrician if you suspect the teething process is getting to be too much.
Massage Your Baby’s Gums
During the period where the teeth have not emerged yet, you may want to consider massaging the gum tissue yourself. You will need to clean one of your fingers first, and then you can apply pressure to the gums. This can help ease some of the pain associated with teething.
Use Vanilla Extract
You may want to keep a bottle of pure vanilla extract in the home. It does a lot more than just make desserts taste better. You can rub a small amount onto the gums. The massaging action helps your infant, and the scent helps reduce anxiety and calm your child. Before buying any vanilla extract, you want to make sure to check the ingredients first. Some bottles contain alcohol.
Bring in Chamomile Tea
You can put a tiny bit of chamomile tea in your infant’s bottle. This is a natural and safe way to help him or her deal with the symptoms of teething. This tea contains great ingredients that work wonders for unhappy or stressed babies. It produces a calming sensation. All you have to do is steep the tea for a couple of minutes. You then want to cool it down to room temperature, so it is not too hot. You only need to put between one and two ounces in the bottle to see the effects.
Brush Early On
Even if the teeth are not currently showing, you can still brush the gums with a small, soft toothbrush. Many brands offer baby toothbrushes perfectly suited for your infant’s mouth. Your infant will likely find some relief by biting down on the soft bristles. Additionally, this is a great way to get your baby acclimated to brushing. When the teeth finally do come in, your infant will not put up as much of a fight.
Teething is inevitable. Some babies really struggle through the process while other infants will have their teeth pop out right away. No matter which category your infant falls into, it is helpful to have a few tricks up your sleeve.
