Babies are gorgeous bundles of joy, except for when they are teething (and rightly so as it hurts). As your baby is not yet talking they are unable to tell you their discomfort so they show you. By crying, drooling, and chewing on their little hands your baby is showing you they are feeling discomfort and pain. When a baby is teething they become irritable, restless, and teary, and even have bright red cheeks so what can you do to take this away.

Teething Gel

This is usually something that you apply to the gums twice daily (but always read the instructions as your brand may differ). The gel soothes and calms the affected area giving your baby some relief from the pain and discomfort they are feeling. The gel can be difficult to get in your baby’s mouth but if you can do it it does work. Remember to always apply with clean dry hands.

Using a Powder

Teething powders work in the same way as gels, and some powders can even be used on dummies (so it is always worth reading the instructions). The powder is slightly more tricky than gel to get in your baby’s mouth as it usually comes in a sachet. You usually have to enter the contents of the sachet into the baby’s open mouth which is easier than it sounds – especially if your baby is screaming in discomfort. If you struggle to get a sachet of contents into your baby’s mouth (for example it spills out onto surfaces) then do not be tempted to give them another sachet as this could lead to an overdose.

Using a Teething Necklace

How many times has your baby grabbed your necklace and tried to put it in their mouth? (probably too many for you to remember). Well, this is how a teething necklace for moms works, usually made of high-quality durable silicone that babies can munch on to their heart’s content to ease any discomfort or pain. They are large in size, bright in color to grab your baby’s attention, and easy to grab.

Teething Ring

These are large plastic rings that can easily be gripped by tiny hands. On the surface of the rings, they have different textures and patterns which baby can literally chomp on or rub their gums along to ease any pain. Teething rings are usually made of high-quality heavy durable and easy to clean/ disinfect plastic, however, they can also be made out of fabric and wood.

Using Amber

Some people swear by amber easing their baby’s teething experience. Amber comes in the form of a  beaded necklace or a beaded anklet bracelet which you put on the baby in the daytime and remove at night (or anytime you put the baby down for a nap). It must be noted that you should only put jewelry on your baby while they are under supervision to avoid the risk of the baby swallowing or choking on the amber beads should the jewelry break.

Iced/Cold and Fillable Teething Rings

These are quite similar to normal teething rings but they are bulkier in size and can be put in the fridge or freezer to cool them down. Some teething rings can just be put in the fridge or freezer for a few minutes to work, while others are freezable and fillable. Meaning, that you can fill the ring with clean fresh water, put it in the freezer, and when it has frozen it is then ready to give to your baby. The cooling then soothes red and inflamed gums in your baby’s mouth. They are easy to clean and again easy to hold with little hands.

Teething Toys

From giraffes to teddy bears and even soothing blankets that are specially made for teething, they are again easy to clean and are the perfect size for little ones’ hands. As they are toys they can be used even after and around the teething periods.

What You Need to Know

As with anything you give to your baby you must monitor its usage and anything related to teething should be given under supervision. If a teething toy or aid gets damaged or broken then do not give it to your baby, instead, bin it and replace it, as you don’t want any broken bits of anything falling into your baby’s mouth during use.

If you find that nothing is calming or soothing your baby then it is advisable to give your doctor a call. Don’t put off calling your doctor or a medical professional if you are struggling to settle your baby and they are showing continuous signs of discomfort and pain. Alternatively, you can always check in and get help from the Dentist in friendswood for pediatric dentistry advice.