10 Tips on Soothing a Teething Baby

by admin

Aug 1, 2023

Blog

Soothing a Teething Baby: 10 Tips for Fast, Natural Relief

Teething is an exciting milestone, but it can also be a challenging time filled with tears, irritability, and discomfort for your little one. As new teeth push through swollen gums, the pressure and inflammation can cause baby a lot of distress. Thankfully, there are many natural ways to provide teething relief and comfort your fussy, frustrated baby at home.

Try these 10 tips to safely and effectively soothe your teething child:

Rub gums with a clean finger. Apply gentle counter-pressure directly to your baby’s gums by using a clean finger to massage the area around the emerging tooth. The pressure can ease discomfort before the tooth cuts through.
Use cold items to numb gums. Refrigerated (not frozen) teething rings, wet washcloths, or cold spoons pressed against the gums can temporarily numb soreness and pain. The cold temperature helps constrict swollen blood vessels in the gums.
Offer chilled fruit to gnaw on. Give baby peeled and chilled fruits like bananas, apples, or berries to gnaw and chew on. The cold will numb aching gums, while the soft texture is easy to sink teeth into for counter-pressure.
Try over-the-counter pain relief medication. Teething medicines containing benzocaine are specially formulated to temporarily relieve gum pain and discomfort. Consult your pediatrician on the proper dosage for your baby’s age and weight.
Provide textured teething toys. Look for teething toys made of rubber, silicone, or wood with bumps, ribs, and textures to massage swollen gums and distract from teething pain. The pressure can provide relief as they gnaw and chew.
Apply numbing gel sparingly. Lidocaine oral gels designed just for teething can temporarily numb sore gums when applied sparingly directly to the areas of discomfort. Only use as directed to avoid over-numbing.
Offer chilled purified water. The cool temperature and hydration from sipping purified water can help minimize inflammation and rinse away excess drool and saliva.
Distract with cold snacks. Yogurt, applesauce, or chilled cucumbers can briefly distract from teething pain while providing nutrients. Just avoid foods that could become a choking hazard.
Gently massage irritated gums. Use clean fingers to rub gently on swollen, tender gums before naps or bedtime. The light massage brings relief without overstimulating right before sleep.
Maintain consistent nap and bedtime routines. Sticking to regular sleep schedules can help avoid irritability from overtiredness making teething fussiness worse. Aim to reduce stimulation and signals bedtime as teething disrupts sleep cycles.

While teething can be challenging for parents and babies, there are many natural and safe ways to ease the discomfort at home. With patience, empathy and these teething relief tips, you can get your little one feeling better and keep your sanity until the tooth finally breaks through!