It can be upsetting to watch your baby suffer through the pain and discomfort of teething. Especially when some babies start teething as young as 3 months.
Signs that your baby is teething:
- They have red flushed cheeks
- They’re dribbling a lot
- Chewing on their hands
- Chewing on toys
- Sore and tender gums
- Feeling irritable and crying more
- Developing a nappy rash
Things not considered teething symptoms:
Although parents often associate these symptoms with teething, they are not medically considered as teething symptoms so never dismiss them as just teething.
- Diarrhoea
- Temperature above 38
- Drowsiness
How to soothe a teething baby
Cold foods
If your baby is older than 6 months, you have much more options to help soothe their gums. Yogurt and chilled fruit are great options to cool down your baby’s mouth and provide some relief. You can even put yogurt and fruit purees into ice-pop moulds to make a cooling and healthy treat.
Cold washcloth
Take a clean cloth or muslin square, dip it in water, breastmilk or milk and secure in a ziplock bag and place in the freezer. Allow your baby to chew on the cloth to give them instant cooling relief.
Teething toy or soother in the fridge
Store your baby’s teething toys and soothers in the fridge to keep them cool for quick relief whenever they need it. Be careful when using teethers that are filled with gel or liquid to keep them cool for longer, these teethers can become damaged by your baby’s little teeth and begin to leak.
Wipe away drool
Teething comes with lots of drooling, leaving your baby’s neck constantly damp resulting in a rash. This can be very irritating for your little one. Using a barrier cream like vaseline can help to protect the skin. Use cotton bibs and change them regularly to avoid damp fabric sitting on the skin.
Massage with sugar-free teething gel
Teething gel can offer great relief for sore little gums. Use a clean finger to massage the gel into your baby’s gums to encourage blood flow and to help the active ingredients to absorb.
Lots of extra love
Some days will be worse than others for your baby (and therefore for you), especially days when new teeth are cutting through their gum. Prioritise cuddles and affection on these days as your baby will be feeling extra sensitive.
Give pain relief when needed
Sometimes all the love and care can’t distract from the pain in their gums. This is when infant pain relief comes to their rescue. Always be careful with dosages and read the leaflet carefully before giving your baby any medicines. If pain medicine doesn’t make your baby feel more at ease, you may need to consult your doctor for advice.
Methods to avoid:
Amber teething necklaces
Amber teething necklaces for babies claim to relieve teething pain by releasing tiny amounts of succinic acid into your baby’s skin. However, there is no evidence that this relieves pain or helps with teething. Necklaces and bracelets pose a serious risk of strangulation, as well as a choking hazard if broken, so should never be put on your baby.
Homoeopathic remedies
There are many homoeopathic teething remedies available to buy online which may not conform to regulations. Homoeopathic remedies are usually made up of natural ingredients which may not be safe for your baby. Many remedies have been linked to poisonings.
