Oh, the dreaded teething phase. It’s something that little ones and parents struggle to get through, and unfortunately, there’s no skipping this all-important milestone. Every child will go through the stage differently, but generally speaking, you can count on them going through a fair amount of pain and discomfort which can throw their entire schedule into disarray. Everything from sleeping to eating to playtime will be affected when they’re not feeling well.
If you’re starting to see the telltale signs of teething in your baby, then it’s time to give these tips a try. They are bound to make things smoother for your little one.
Adjust What and How You Feed Your Baby
During the teething stage, gums become quite inflamed and can be incredibly painful as the teeth try to break through to the surface. This means you need to adjust feeding expectations, what you feed them, and how. Think in terms of what will cause the least amount of discomfort. Sticking to soft, smooth textures is the best plan.
Some great feeding options include:
- Plain yoghurt
- Mashed fruit
- Mashed vegetables
- Scrambled eggs
- Pureed baby food
- Cottage cheese
- Applesauce
- Hummus
Another feeding tip is to serve food cold, as this can help alleviate pain and reduce swelling. It's not unusual for a baby to eat less while teething, as pain can affect their appetite.
Bibs Will Help to Keep Your Little One Clean and Dry
One of the most obvious signs of teething is drooling. Teething often prompts large amounts of drool since the saliva can help soothe the pain in the gums. So while the drool itself can be soothing in the mouth, it can create a rash on the cheeks, chin, and mouth area caused by bacteria from the mouth. You want to try to keep them as clean and dry as possible.
A tip that comes in handy during this stage is to keep a soft and absorbent bib on them as much as possible when they are awake. You can easily use it to dab away moisture as it builds. Opt for a soft and natural fabric like cotton or bamboo bibs to ensure it's easy to wash and is gentle against their skin. Bandana-style bibs are perfect in that they aren't huge so they won't get in your little one's way, and they can reach up to the mouth area to clean up drool.
There’s also the fact that bibs will help keep their clothes underneath clean and dry, so you won’t need to change them as often.
Have Healthy and Safe Teething Chews On Hand
When teething starts many babies will have the desire to chew. This means anything they find will go straight in their mouth such as toys, fingers, blankets, and so on. The problem is that not everything they put in their mouth is ideal or even safe. If you're going to take away the object you don't want them to chew on, you need to replace it with something healthy and safe.
Some of the best things to give babies to chew on while teething include:
- Soft fruit
- Raw vegetables
- Breadstick
- Bread crust
- Frozen washcloth
No matter what you give them to chew on, it needs to be supervised to ensure they don’t choke. There are also mesh feeders that allow you to place items like fruit or vegetables in them and then freeze them. Babies can hold onto the feeder and gnaw away on them.
Try to Keep Them Busy and Distracted
Distraction can work wonders during this phase. Playing with your baby, distracting them, and keeping their attention on new and exciting things will help take their mind off the pain they are going through. This is the perfect time to introduce a new toy, book, or activity.
Sometimes a Little Medicine Is Needed
Pain is a tough thing for anyone to contend with, and teething can go on for many days and even weeks. If you’ve tried everything you can think of and your baby is still in pain, it may be time for a little medicine.
Ibuprofen or paracetamol can do a great job of easing the inflammation and pain associated with teething. These can only be used on babies three months and older. It's best to talk to a pharmacist or GP to ensure you get the best option and know the correct dosing information.
Parents Need to Remember – This Too Shall Pass
While in the throes of the teething phase, it can be very difficult to see the light at the end of the tunnel, but parents can take solace in trusting this too shall pass. The pain and discomfort your little one is currently feeling will pass and you can do things to help ease the process.
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