Ways to Soothe Your Teething Baby

Congratulations on your new baby! You have many wonderful moments ahead. However, as your baby grows and develops, teething is a normal part of these moments and will start around 4-5 months old. Teething is considered the time when baby teeth begin to erupt through the gum into your baby’s mouth. It can be a stressful and nerve-wracking time for parents, so it’s essential to be informed and prepared. Day or night, teething babies can be difficult to calm and console. 

Common signs your baby will exhibit during night-time teething include (but might not be limited to) drooling, fussiness, irritability, excessive chewing and even a low-grade fever. It is essential to be on the lookout for these symptoms, beginning around four months, and to understand the cause. Sometimes other symptoms such as rash, GI upset and fever may indicate a more significant problem, so consult your pediatrician. 

So, you’ve identified that your baby has started teething. Maybe you have begun to see the teeth erupt through the gum. Maybe you can see them just underneath. What can you do to help soothe them to get them through this challenging time? 

Offer a frozen washcloth

When it comes time for teething, prepare in advance by wetting a few small wash clothes and placing them in the freezer. That way, they are available for use when your baby is fussing. Allowing your baby to chew on the frozen washcloth cools the area and reduces discomfort. Be sure there are no choking hazards such as loose string or tags. 

Teething ring 

Teething rings are toys your baby can use to chew and bite on to help alleviate teething symptoms. If your baby is teething, providing them with a teething ring is a way for them to relieve themselves at their own pace. Teething rings have an irregular but soft texture to provide a massage-like relief. Specific devices are available for these exact moments. Be sure to buy a device specifically designed for teething, and do not offer smaller objects that can be a choking hazard. 

Medicine 

As a last resort, you can talk with your pediatrician to see if medication may be beneficial to help your teething baby. Occasionally, acetaminophen may be recommended if you have a particularly severe case of teething disrupting sleep and not responding to other options. 

If you have any questions about ways to help your baby with teething, we encourage you to contact us today to schedule an appointment. We look forward to seeing you and your little one!