Teething is one uncomfortable process for some babies which is why many parents seek advice on how to soothe them and reduce their pain. Even though every baby is different, and some babies may experience more pain, swelling and discomfort than others, still, it's worth trying soothing its pain with some common baby-teething remedies.
Symptoms of a Teething Baby
Some of the most common signs of a teething baby are:
- chewing on objects
- excessive drooling
- crankiness and easy irritability
- sore and tender gums
- slight body temperature increase.
Ways to Ease the Pain
One of the oldest and simplest things you can do to ease your baby's pain is to rub your baby's gums with a clean finger on a wet gauze. According to many moms, the slight pressure on babies' gums can ease the discomfort and can calm him down. However, aside from this, some other things have been proven successful in easing this kind of pain, so trying them is really worth it.
Teethers
A baby teether is the safest tool that gives babies something to chew. A specialised infant teether may ease discomfort and distract a baby from pain thanks to its attractive appearance and bold colours. Gone are the days when the only option parents had was plastic teethers. Nowadays, you can choose from a large selection of teethers that range in appearance, type, shape, material and size. This gives you the freedom to pick from the most enetertaining ones for your baby. Some of them can come with rattles in the form of beads so that babies can entertain while chewing on the sturdy part that's designed to be placed in the mouth. One thing is certain, regardless of the type of infant teether you choose, they can be of great help for soothing sore gums. Having a ring of this kind in their hands allows them to always have something to chew on which also happens to be safe.
These little gum-soothing helpers also seem to help in developing their motor skills which is of vital importance. While being of huge help for easing any kind of pain, these tools can also help babies reach and hold things with their hands while being able to explore them with their hands and mouth as well. All of these things are paramount for a healthy child's development. One thing is certain, when in the search for the right teether for your little one, make sure to choose one that is made from quality and safe material. Otherwise, you risk exposing your child to harmful chemicals and toxins that will be leached into his mouth once the teether comes in contact with saliva. So make sure to choose safe to use teethers that also allow for being sanitised for improved safety.
Gum Gels
Aside form massaging the gums with a gel, you can also use specialised gum gels which can relieve any pain on discomfort in the gums. Just make sure to buy a gel that's safe to use for babies and one that doesn't contain any anesthetic in it. For best results, you can try some of the many gels based on plants.
Chewing Chilled Fruit/Veggies
If your baby is above 6 months of age and you have already introduced him to some fruit and veggies, then you can help him soothe sore gums by chilling a piece of fruit/veggie. In order to avoid any potential hazards, place the chilled piece of fruit in a specialised mesh/silicone feeder which is used for helping babies try new tastes. These feeder come with a handle so that your baby can hold and position the fruit/veggie in the needed direction. That way, these feeders will do their job in soothing the gum while allowing your little one to have his snack in a fun way.
Medications
In case none of the aforementioned things works, then you should consult with your paediatrician and give your little one paracetamol or ibuprofen. Both of these medications are anti-inflammatory and can help in soothing sore and painful gums. Both of them are safe to be used in babies and children aged 3 months or older.
Things to Avoid
The first thing you should avoid is using any kind of teething necklaces, bracelets and anklets. Even though quite popular, all of these things pose a risk of choking, mouth injury, infection and strangulation. You should also avoid any medications that contain lidocaine and benzocaine because these pain relievers can be harmful and even fatal for babies. So, in order to stay on the safe side of the road, make sure to avoid all of these things. In the end, you babies safety is what matters the most, so you should be consistsent with all of the aforementioned things and help him releive his paint at least to a point.
