Five Teething Tips

Ugh, if there is one job as a parent that most would give up in a heartbeat it is that of dealing with a child who is teething. Teething means drool, fussing, not sleeping, not eating, irritability, and pain. Both you and your child get cranky from lack of sleep. Often your baby will become needy and want to be held all day, thus you get nothing done. Not to mention the fact that having your child in pain, and not being able to do much for them can be difficult. The following are five tips for teething:

Tip One: Recognize it fast. The sooner you figure out that their fever, irritability, and drool is a sign of teething, the sooner you can do something to help them manage their pain. Because the symptoms and signs of teething vary from child to child, there is not a set list you can compare to. In addition, many of the signs mimic problems that occur with other illness, such as a cough, a fever, or diarrhea. So, know the signs, and diagnose it as teething quick so you can help your baby find relief.

Tip Two: Teething toys work. Some babies will not be interested in a traditional teething toy. However, babies that are teething often chew on everything and anything they can get their hands on. The counter pressure caused by chewing seems to alleviate the pain and pressure of the teeth pushing through the gums. So, make sure your child has something safe to chew on. One of the best options is an approved teething toy. They are designed to help your baby with the pain, and not pose any risk to them at the same time.

Tip Three: Reduce inflammation with cold liquids. When a baby is teething, their gums become inflamed. This can lead to fevers, pressure, and PAIN. Help your child through it so that they can sleep, eat, and be their happy little self by giving them a bottle of ice water, or ice cold juice, formula, etc. They may balk at it initially, as they are likely used to warm drinks, or at least room temp, but the cool water will help reduce inflammation, and they will love it!

Tip Four: Rub their gums. If your baby is particularly fussy, and wants to be held, you can make the most of it by rubbing their gums while you hold them. The sensation of having their gums rubbed may irritate them at first, and they may resist it, but keep it up for about a minute or so, as after the initial pain of contact wears off, the counter pressure of you rubbing will be soothing to them. It may even help them fall asleep.

Tip Five: Use the right pain medication. There are old wives tales about giving babies a shot of brandy to help them through teething, but this is dangerous, and poisonous to them. Instead, consult with your pediatrician and give them a proper dose of an acetaminophen. This simple pain reliever can give them the needed relief to get some sleep, or return to a happier state of mind.