Do you have a drooling, cranky infant at home? If so, they are probably teething! This is something we are very familiar with at First Impressions Family Dentistry as Adalyn is teething, too! She is chewing on everything! She looks like she is working on her top four front teeth all at once!
First, let’s take a look at the schedule of how your baby’s teeth will erupt!
Now, here are some tips and tricks to help your baby through the teething stage:
- Rub your baby’s gums. Use a clean finger or moistened gauze pad to rub your baby’s gums. The pressure can ease your baby’s discomfort.
- Keep it cool. A cold washcloth, spoon or chilled teething ring can be soothing on a baby’s gums. Don’t give your baby a frozen teething ring, however.
- Try hard foods. If your baby is eating solid foods, you might offer something edible for gnawing — such as a peeled and chilled cucumber or carrot. Keep a close eye on your baby, however. Any pieces that break off might pose a choking hazard.
- Dry the drool. Excessive drooling is part of the teething process. Having a teething ring, fingers or other objects in the mouth produces saliva. To prevent skin irritation, keep a clean cloth handy to dry your baby’s chin. Consider applying a moisturizer such as a water-based cream or lotion. Dr. Wells’ favorite is Aquaphor!
- Try an over-the-counter remedy. If your baby is especially cranky, acetaminophen (Tylenol, others) or ibuprofen (Advil, Children’s Motrin, others) might help, but always consult your pediatrician before given any medications to your baby.
If you’ve got a teething baby on your hands, be patient – they really are in that much pain. Of course, so are you, having to watch them suffer. So, take a deep breath, have a glass of wine and know that, this too, shall pass. Eventually.
