Teething can be quite difficult and even painful for babies. The following tips will help bring your baby some relief during this uncomfortable process.
If you can remember how it felt when your wisdom teeth came in, then you'll have some idea of what you're baby is experiencing during teething. Except, imagine how your baby feels with a whole mouth full of erupting teeth! No wonder he’s grumpy. Who wouldn't be?
To help soothe your baby during the teething process, try some of the following tips.
Massage the gums.
Using a damp, cool cloth, or just your finger, gently massage your baby's gums. This provides counter-pressure, which is very effective in easing teething discomfort.
Provide something cool to bite.
A cool washcloth, spoon or teething ring (like this cool Batman one!) can bring down the inflammation in the gums and soothe your baby at the same time. Keep a stockpile of these items in the fridge so that they’re available for biting at a moment’s notice!
Provide hard foods.
If your baby is on solid foods, a chilled carrot or cucumber can also effectively provide significant relief when gnawed. Just be sure someone is around to supervise while your baby is chewing on anything edible.
Dry away the drool.
Babies drool rivers while they're teething. To prevent the skin irritation that can result from this near constant moisture, keep lots of soft clean clothes on hand so that you can gently wipe the drool away frequently. You can also apply a moisture barrier, such as Vasaline, to keep some of the moisture off the skin.
If all else fails, try an over-the-counter pain relief remedy.
Consult with your pediatrician before going this route. There are several options available: acetaminophen (Tylenol and similar) or ibuprofen (Advil, Children's Motrin, etc.), for example.