Teething can be heartbreaking for a parent. You’d give anything for your little noodle to not be in pain or cranky during the process of cutting teeth. You may hear some crazy teething tips and stories from relatives, especially older family members (porkchop bones and whiskey, seriously?), but fear not, as these tips are not crazy. These tips can help you to conquer teething like a pro without having to resort to questionable methods.
Is It Teething or Something Else?
There are a few classic symptoms that you’ll notice with your little boo that points to them cutting their first teeth. You may notice:
- Drooling (typically a waterfall of drool that never seems to stop)
- Your baby becoming a beaver wanting to chew on everything they can put in their mouth from your hand to any other object in their firm little grasp
- Gums that are sore and tender
- An attitude of crankiness or irritability that doesn’t go away after a nap or feeding
- A low-grade fever
Some believe that a high fever and diarrhea are signs of teething, but if your little is exhibiting either of these symptoms you may want to call your pediatrician.
Soothing Your Savage Beast Baby
Babies that are teething can be real bears, and who can blame them? Help get them back to their sweet teddy bear personality with these methods of soothing.
- Pamper their gums using a dampened and cooled gauze pad or your clean finger. This pressure may seem counterintuitive but can help to ease their discomfort.
- Use cold objects to help them feel better. Teething rings that are chilled rather than frozen are preferred. Washcloths and spoons that are chilly can work in a pinch if you don’t have a teething ring.
- A hard food feeder can be great here and helps to reduce the possibility of a choking hazard. They are typically little nets that you fill up with hard food that your baby can gnaw on like a little beaver to get relief.
- Use over-the-counter pain medication when your baby is in serious pain. Talk with your doctor about the dosage if you’re not sure how much to give.
- Keep up with the drool. While this won’t help with your little noodle’s teething discomfort, it can help to prevent other discomforts. All that moisture from the drool can cause their skin to become irritated. Make sure that you dry up the drool as often as possible, and use a lotion or cream to protect the skin.
