Dr Michael Smith D.M.D.

Dental

How to Soothe a Teething Baby

There is no doubt that little ones are very cute. Their cuteness is amplified when a tiny tooth appears! When the very first of your baby’s teeth begins making its way out of the gums, that process is termed as teething. Crankiness, tears, and drooling can make teething an affliction for parents and babies alike. But really, is teething that bad? While the process is not painless, knowing the right signs and symptoms can prepare parents to handle what is coming next comfortably. The good news is that, in this article, we shall explain some of the ways to soothe a baby during teething, but first, let us begin by discussing a few signs & symptoms.

Common signs and symptoms of a teething baby

There are many signs & symptoms of teething in little ones. It includes the following:

  • A low-grade temperature (less than 101 degrees)
  • Drooling
  • Desire to chew/bite
  • Crying, grouchiness, fussing
  • Changes in sleeping or eating habits

Let us discuss each of them in detail:

  • A low-grade temperature – When it comes to infant teething signs, fever is arguably one of those immediately noticed symptoms. This is more than a normal fever, but the body is slightly warm. Considered as a low-grade temperature, it is usually less than 101 degrees.
  • Drooling – It is normal for newborns to learn to swallow their saliva. However, if you notice excessive drooling that never stops, then it is an indicator to teething. It has been known that during teething, the baby creates plenty of saliva to lubricate the bulging and tender gums.
  • The desire to chew or bite – The urge to chew or bite will turn your infant into a piranha. At the tooth begins to emerge from the gums, the pressure is exerted on the gums and feels irritated. To tackle this, they start chewing or biting on their toys, spoons, or even their loved ones.
  • Crying, grouchiness, and fussing – If you notice that your kid is fussier than usual, then it can be a teething symptom. Grouchiness makes them wake several times and cry at night to relieve the discomfort in their mouth. It has been established that during quiet hours of the night, an infant seems to feel the teething pain even more than usual because there are fewer distractions.
  • Changes in sleeping or eating habits – Because of discomfort caused by teething, little ones often nap less or even have difficulties falling asleep, and this explains why they wake up in the wee hours. Just like anyone else suffering from mouth-related problems, kids during the teething stage do not want to eat, especially now that food aggravates the sore spots in their mouths.

It is important to note that vomiting, coughing, diarrhea, fever reaching more than 101 degrees, and rashes are NOT signs and symptoms of teething.

Ways to soothe a teething baby

As mentioned in the introductory section, it is essential to know some of the common signs and symptoms of teething so that parents get prepared to ease their kids through the process. Fortunately, there are well-known and proven ways to soothe kids during this stage. It includes the following:

  • Cold compresses
  • Pain relievers
  • Teething Toys to Gnaw On
  • Keep Area Around Mouth Clean to avoid discomfort from chapping
  • Keep plenty of clean items for baby to chew on

Cold compresses

Ice is arguably a teething infant’s best friend. Similarly, as ice reduces swelling or numbs pain, cold compresses will soothe sore gums. It is an inexpensive option to keep your baby comfortable – just get a wet, clean washcloth and put in a plastic bag and keep it in your fridge to chill. When it is ready, take the washcloth from the bag, and let your little one gnaw on it. As the kid gnaws the fabric, it massages the gums while the pain is numbed by the cold.

Pain relievers

If other remedies yield few results or perhaps your baby needs faster relief, then pain relievers can be the next course of action. Your doctor will recommend the best OTC painkillers.

Teething toys to gnaw on

Keep your infant’s favorite teething toys handy. It is highly advisable that you freeze these toys before giving them to your little one since cold will help with the pain. More importantly, these toys should be clean.

Keep the kid’s mouth area clean to avoid discomfort from chapping

Drooling is one of the significant signs of teething. During this stage, kids will be producing excessive saliva, which makes the child incredibly uncomfortable. Always keep the mouth area clean and to do this, use soft, clean clothes to wipe the baby’s chin.

Keep plenty of clean items for baby to chew on

During teething, gums will be very sore, and the infant will more often than not, try to bite or chew things. This is arguably the best soothing option to keep their gums comfortable. As a parent, you will need to boost this habit by providing them with plenty of items to chew on. More importantly, these items should be clean and free from germs.