Teething Remedies: Simple Ways to Comfort Your Baby

Teething Remedies: Simple Ways to Comfort Your Baby

Teething—is a major, natural milestone for every baby. Typically, the lower central incisors are the first teeth to appear when a baby starts to the tooth, followed shortly by the upper central incisors. That means that the most common time for the first teeth to appear is around six months.

Some babies seem to be ahead of the pack and show teeth at three months, while a few take their sweet time and don’t show teeth until a year. Some get teeth in pairs, others in singles. My daughter showed all the classic signs of teething—like excessive drooling—when she was three months old, but her first appearance of a tooth was at ten months.

Teething pain is different for every baby and can change with each new tooth. The average 3-year-old will have all 20 of their primary teeth, but there’s no standard way to get to that finish line—some kiddos complete the process way before others.

What I Steered Clear From

Teething is a time when parents might reach for medicines and remedies, but it’s crucial to be informed about what you give your child to avoid health risks. My husband and I mostly focused on what not to use. For example, we avoided using benzocaine gels and tablets containing belladonna. These products could give rise to serious side effects and have been singled out by the FDA as poor choices. Benzocaine products can give rise to methemoglobinemia, a severe medical condition where the oxygen-carrying capacity of red blood cells decreases, leading to anemia and possibly death, the FDA said. This makes these products potentially harmful for very young babies.

Further, we have never given our baby teething necklaces or beads to play with because they are a choking hazard, and in a few cases, when they are too short, they might even strangle the baby. While they enjoy great success, these items are not without risks and may even be removed from the market. Additionally, I have never given my daughter a frozen carrot or celery sticks to gnaw on, although many mothers say it words. They are dangerous for this reason as they can scratch your gums, which are tender, and it is quite possible to tear off pieces that are not too big and not too small. This could get you a real chunk in your mouth, thus also a choking hazard. In the same vein, even if teething rings are made of wood, metal, and plastic, they are still very hard for the child’s tender gums. I love silicone teethers. They are soft so that they won’t hurt my baby, and what’s more, they are BPA-free, waterproof, and saliva-resistant. It is very important to check all product labels upon purchase to ensure they are safe and FDA-approved.

Remedies I Gave to Soothe My Teething Baby

Don’t fret too much about looking for ways to make your teething baby feel better; your refrigerator usually has one best answer: ICE. Ice is a really simple and also very effective treatment for teething pain. You can freeze foods, teethers that are safe for your baby to chew, which are many of these. For me personally, for example, I always had one silicone teether in the freezer; it was the best thing to give my baby when she was the most poorly. A frozen washcloth can be of great help, too. If your baby is hungry, the best thing to do is to put fruits or vegetables in a mesh teether and freeze them; you will give them something like a homemade popsicle that calms the gums down! The same goes for Chamomile tea, which is a centuries-old herbal treatment that will help ease the teething symptoms your youngster undergoes. Just confirm that chamomile is caffeine-free. Incidentally, softly stroking your baby’s gums with a clean finger will give significant relief.

Teething Medication: What I Gave My Baby

My baby was experiencing severe pain, so I restored to the medical solution. This could be interpreted in a different way; namely, I took advice from a pediatrician and got Camillia Teething Drops. This is a homeopathic remedy. The main active ingredient is Chamomilla, which is a well-known calming agent. The next piece, Phytolacca, is frequently used in homeopathy and for tooth and gum issues. It is comforting that other a vital element, Rheme, aids digestion. Things that ease digestion are always welcome because teething can be difficult for both babies and their parents.

My pediatrician suggested it, and so did my gut; I gave Tylenol when it seemed necessary. All in all, it was most beneficial for nighttime use when nerves seemed to be at a premium, and we were all trying to transition back into being calm and relaxed during nighttime hours. I never handed it to her in the light of day (too much light for crying, you know?). I felt like I used it wisely, mostly in the past tense.

Helping My Teething Baby Sleep at Night

Some nights were such that we would give her Infant Tylenol to help alleviate her pain, and it did help to lessen the intensity for her. In the first place, I prefer more natural methods, so we tried other techniques. I would cuddle and rock her slightly while playing our favorite soft music. This was what I read as a way to calm down colicky infants, so we decided to try. I would also softly massage her gums with my clean fingers, which actually made her feel a little bit better. Once or twice, we would give her a warm bath before bedtime, and those evenings seemed quite peaceful. Besides this, I cared for her by frequently cleaning her mouth to reduce drool rash and make her more relaxed.

Taking Care of My Baby’s First Teeth

From the very first day, I made it my priority to ensure my Baby’s oral health, although she had no teeth at that time. I used a damp cloth and a silicone finger brush to wipe her gums. I did not really brush them but got rid of the little bits of food and bacteria that might hang around. When her first tooth came in, I started using a special infant toothbrush and toothpaste. The toothbrush was small and had soft bristles, perfect for her mouth and my no-roughhousing parenting style.

When Should You Ring the Doctor?

Although the teething period itself was a difficult time, I noticed the symptoms that called for our doctor. Here are the signs that I observed:

• High Fever: A fever of over 100.4 F might point to an infection
• Unusual Symptoms: Diarrhea, vomiting, and rashes have no relation with teething
• Excessive Irritability: Yes, all our babies cry as that is their way of communication. However, if your little one during teething seems to be in an irritable state, you haven’t seen before, such as crying more and it is louder and more desperate, it might be because of an issue other than teething.
• A Drop in Eating or Drinking: If the baby gets a sudden drop in her food, formula, or other eating products, especially if it could result in dehydration, it is a direct red flag and requires immediate contact with your pediatrician.

It was challenging to determine when exactly the call should be made. Nevertheless, the above signs, are clear enough.

Teething signs: What to Look Out For

Every child is different, but teething indicates some common signs. The teeth of the babies are growing when things such as the following happen:

• Their gums become highly inflamed.
• The fussiness meter goes way up.
• They might get a slight fever (which shouldn’t go beyond 100.4° F).
• They become little chomping machines, gnawing on anything and everything.
• They tend to drool excessively.
• They may cough slightly (due to the excess salvia buildup).
• They frequently touch their face by rubbing their cheeks or pulling their ears.
• Their mouth is a common destination for fingers.
• They may not sleep or eat as well as they usually do, but this is common when their routine is altered.

Early on, even before she had any teeth, I was on contemplating the best dental habits for my baby. As for the wiping, I used a wet cloth and rubber finger brush, so I cleaned her gums that way, not actually brushing them but rather taking care of the food bits and bacteria that might have remained in her mouth. I used a special infant toothbrush and toothpaste when she got her first tooth. I found the toothbrush was child size and of such a gentle design that it was perfect for her and suitable for what my no roughhousing approach did with her.