Some babies sprout their first teeth with no problems at all, but for most of them, it’s a period of discomfort and trouble. When a baby is teething, red and swollen gums, red cheeks, heave dribbling, ear rubbing, gum rubbing, biting, and disrupted sleep are very common. Some babies also have a slight increase in temperature just before a tooth breaks through.
Why Does Teething Hurt So Much?
Baby’s teeth begin to develop while they are in the womb when tooth buds are formed in the gums. After a few months, a baby is born, their teeth start to emerge through their gums, which makes them more tender and swollen. The first tooth that typically appears is one of the bottom incisors. Any bump in the baby’s gums can be a sign of a newly surfacing tooth. For some babies, teething may be slower than others, which means symptoms can be experienced months before a tooth actually appears.
What Are the Best Ways to Sooth Baby’s Painful Gum?
When it comes to soothing a baby’s painful gum, the most effective ways are using cold items and providing them with something safe to chew. As no parent likes to see their baby start teething and experiencing constant pain, try these tips and suggestions to help ease the discomfort.
Teething Necklace
The goal of a baby teething necklace is to alleviate the pain in the baby’s mouth. Available in a range of colours, you are sure to find one to make your little one’s teething process easier.
Since you wear the necklace, not your baby, your child will be making eye contact with you while using the teeth. This encourages appropriate grabbing and gnawing while also keeping the risk of strangulation low since the cord is never around your baby’s neck. Another great thing about these teethers is their versatility. Prior to being worn, a silicone teething necklace can go into the refrigerator so that its soft silicone parts get chilled. This way, it will be extra soothing for your baby’s aching gums.
You’ll find out that your baby needs more comforting mom time when their gums fire up. So, as you cuddle your baby, the teething necklace offers a sensory tool that is easy and safe for your baby to touch, hold and chew. These necklaces are totally hypoallergenic and non-toxic. Chewing on the necklace will provide your baby with a gentle massage to relieve the pain caused by emerging teeth.
Although stone teething necklaces are also available, I suggest you get a baby teething necklace made of 100% food-grade silicone beads that are also free from BPA, lead, phthalates, cadmium, PVC and latex. Necklaces featuring this kind of beads will not absorb odour or support the growth of mould, fungus or bacteria. If the necklace includes wood beads, make sure they are untreated to avoid allergens and sensitivities.
Chilled Fruit
Once you introduce solid foods to your baby, you can help soothe their sore gums with a tasty snack or chilled mashed bananas. To prevent the risk of choking, place the fruit in a mesh feeder, and give that to your child to lick or suck on. The mesh feeder also allows you to try other types of cooked fruit such as apples, mangoes, strawberries or ripe pears.
Teething Biscuits
You can offer teething biscuits to your baby around 8 to 12 months of age. To protect against cavities, it’s important to wipe the gum area and teeth with a gear cloth. As your baby gets more teeth, introduce a toothbrush. You won’t need toothpaste – just brushing the plaque off can help prevent cavities later on.
Milk Popsicles
The discomfort of teething can make your baby refuse to eat. However, it’s essential that you keep your baby hydrated and well-fed while comforting their irritated gum at the same time. Milk popsicles can help you with that. Just make sure to put a bib on your child and sit him/her on an easily-washable blanket or tower to ensure hassle-free cleaning. As you know, popsicles can get pretty messy when they start to smell.
Teething Gel
There isn’t much evidence that teething gels are effective, so consider trying the above options first. If you decide to use a gel, make sure you get one specially designed for young children. Teething gel for babies generally contains a mild local anaesthetic and are only available at pharmacies. Ask the pharmacist for further advice.
