Teething can turn your baby’s world upside down, leaving them pain while you search for relief. Explore these practical tips to soothe your little one’s teething pain and make the process a bit easier for both of you.
Can you imagine a toothache so painful that your cheeks turn red? Probably not, as responsible grownups would be at the dentist long before it got that bad. But your baby can’t tell you how bad it is and what they need…with words, that is. Behaviour-wise, oh, you’ll know: They’ll be drooling, chewing on everything and anything, and pulling at their ears. Unfortunately, teething is inevitable. Fortunately, there are way more options to soothe symptoms than there used to be. Here are some tried-and-true tips and tricks to make teething less terrible.
Wipe that little face
One completely avoidable symptom of your baby’s new impending chompers is actually the itchy rash around his mouth. It’s caused by excess saliva, which is released in overdrive to soothe sore gums, but it can lead to dry, sore and chapped skin. You can skip all that by wiping the area (don’t forget the neck!) and applying a simple barrier cream.
Rub their gums
This trick’s easy, free and accessible. Just wash your hands with soap first (obviously) and get right in there. Besides the fact that massages just feel good, gently rubbing the affected areas actually stimulates blood flow and loosens any stuck mucus, which should both relieve discomfort and speed up the teething process. Feel for the tooth breaking through skin and push gently in the other direction.
Use a frozen washcloth:
A wet washcloth popped into the freezer makes for an excellent impromptu teether. You don’t need to freeze the washcloth solid, either, and in fact can customize it to be as frozen or cool or somewhere in between as your baby prefers. Along the same lines, you can also try the Fresh Food Feeder from Munchkin. Pop a frozen berry or chunk of frozen banana in the mesh pocket and close the latch; the cold temperature and the textured mesh are perfect for soothing sore gums.
Invest in fun toys
Using stuff you already have is great, but don’t feel bad or guilty about splurging on a fancy gadget or two if that’s what works—even if just for fun and/or distraction. Endless teether models are currently on the market with fun designs like fruit, animals, tacos, moustaches and cellphones. Anything goes as long as the material’s good—choose BPA- and phthalate-free silicone, wood or natural rubber (we love Munchkin’s Silicone & Wood Twisty Figure 8 Teether and WildLove Koala Wooden Teether!). Most can be easily popped in the fridge, freezer and dishwasher.
Reach for the medicine cabinet
If you’ve tried everything else and your baby still seems to be in pain, there’s nothing wrong with turning to medication—that’s why they make Baby Tylenol in baby-safe doses. Just check with your doctor before going this route and follow the dosage instructions based on your baby’s weight.
The best medicine
Studies on so-called “cuddle therapy” have proven what parents from every era and from all around the globe already know: Sometimes the very best treatment for your grumpy little one is just some extra cuddles, songs and attention. A big dose of love from Mom or Dad slows the heart rate, decreases stress and raises serotonin and dopamine—all making your baby’s body feel better until the teething phase is finally finished.
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