How to Help your Teething Baby
A lot of my work as a doula revolves around pregnancy and birth, but the post partum period and newborn care are equally as important. So, once we have figured out how to move baby into the optimal position, determined the best brand of diapers, shared tricks on how to wash the dangerous newborn poop stains out of our favorite outfits, and explained the many ways we can hold our little ones while trying to complete simple household chores, our life comes to a screeching halt. Why? Well, it could be one of two things (and they often go hand in hand) - sleep regression or teething.
We will talk about sleep regression on another day. Today, I want to focus on teething. Teething can be exhausting for our baby and for us parents alike. Que the long nights, the crying and fussy infant, the baby being constantly attached to our boob and never wanting to be put down. The nights are long is an understatement. I do want to give you a few words of encouragement: This time passes. There are only 20 teeth. Some babies do not seem to be bothered much by their teeth cutting and finally, there are ways we can help our little ones feel better. Happy Baby - Happy Life.
There are babies who are born with their first teeth already visible, some others start teething prior to 4 months of age. I was one of those lucky moms and a few of my kiddos had their first teeth around 3 months old. It was a good time trying to nurse these little baby snapping turtles. Most little ones will start teething around 6 -9 months old and then there are those who are going to town with their gums for 12 months or even longer. No worries - there is not an exact timeline your baby should follow but it does not hurt to consult your pediatric dentist if your little one shows no signs of teeth by 12 months of age.
What are some signs that your little one may be teething? This actually varies a lot from one baby to the next. Here are a few things you may notice:
your baby is fussy and irritable
their gums are sore and red, maybe a tooth is already visible
your little one is rubbing their ears
their cheek(s) is flushed
some babies run a fever when they are teething
your little one is chewing or gnawing on toys, their hands or you (super fun when you are their favorite chew toy)
baby drools and dribbles a little more than usual
you may notice diarrhea or diaper rashes are more common during this time
babies like to grind their existing teeth when new ones join the party
This list may not make you feel very good about these first teeth, especially if you are a first time mom. It is understandable that you are not looking forward to your little one having to go through all this! Since there isn’t really anything we can do to prevent teeth from growing, the next best thing is to be prepared to help your little one during this time. I do feel that we can make this time a lot easier for all members of our family if we are proactive and ready for the big day. There are some great home remedies for teething babies as well as wonderful teething toys that can soothe their gums. I have compiled my best advice and some great recommendations so that you can benefit from my years of struggle raising our seven gremlins. I can proudly say that there is not a teething remedy out there that I have not tried (I skipped the not so legal ones of course). There have been teething remedy fails and there have been successes. So, get ready for Kim’s guide to soothe teething babies.
I strongly advise you to have a good bottle of wine nearby. If you do not drink wine, lavender tea will work as well. No, this is not for your baby. This is for you. You will need it. Thank me later.
We know that our little ones will start teething eventually. Having toys that are soothing for their gums is a great idea. Here are some of my favorites (click on the image to place your order through Amazon)
If you like toys, you may also like the Amber Teething Necklace. This is not just a piece of fancy jewelry for your little one. The Baltic amber contains a natural analgesic that is released when the baby chews and warms the gemstone with their body heat. These necklaces should not be worn during sleep, even though they do have a safety clip to make sure baby is not in danger while the necklace is worn.
Personally, I am a simple person and I often freeze a washcloth drained in breastmilk or water to hand to my teething baby. This is an easy trick and it is free. If I don’t have a washcloth handy, frozen waffles can also do the trick. There is something to be said about the texture of the waffle that appeals to our young ones. I wouldn’t recommend the waffle for babies under 6 months of age.
Baby massage is a great way to provide relaxation and relief to our fussy and irritable babies. Especially massage of the gums, jawline and sinuses can help release pressure and provide comfort.
Tylenol is another way you can help relief the pain. This is a last resort for me personally, I prefer a more natural approach to handling these pains. If your baby is running a fever, Tylenol will definitely come in handy. Please make sure to speak to your medical provider for the proper dosage.
There are some wonderful homeopathic remedies for teething babies.
I do want to caution you of the use of oral analgesics like Baby Orajel. A lot of these creams contain Lidocaine which can be harmful for our little ones if swallowed. Please do your own research and decide if you want to use these products or not.
Most teething babies like to be close to their parents. It can be exhausting to carry your baby around all day but I have found that baby-wearing is very effective and it has helped me keep my house somewhat organized during these more challenging times. Wearing your baby allows them to be close while you have your hands free to work, cook, clean, or read a book. Stay tuned for my blog on favorite baby carriers and slings!