Sleepless nights, endless diaper changes, a constantly evolving feeding schedule—parenting a newborn is no joke! But of all the normal developmental stages babies go through, teething can certainly be one of the most challenging.
For most infants, teething begins between 4-7 months but can start as early as 3 months. Signs your little one may be teething include:
- Excessive drooling
- Crankiness
- Loss of appetite
- Chewing
- Difficulty sleeping
- Sore, swollen gums
- Crying more than usual
Like adults, babies’ have varying levels of pain tolerance, and one infant’s symptoms can be vastly different from another. For some, teething lasts months; for others, only a few days.
If you suspect your baby has reached the teething phase, here are five tips to bring you both comfort:
TIP #1: Numb those gums by offering your little one something cold to chew on. Teething toys, a chilled pacifier, or a frozen washcloth are generally safe and effective options to offer your baby.
Since some infants refuse to eat while teething, which exacerbates their fussiness, freezing breast milk or formula using popsicle molds is one way to kill two birds with one stone.
As always, supervise your baby whenever they’re eating or chewing on a toy.
TIP #2: Massage their gums. You may be able to help move the process along by applying gentle pressure to the area where teeth are erupting. Some babies may even prefer to chew on your finger over a teething toy.
TIP #3: Ask your baby’s pediatrician if using an over-the-counter pain reliever is appropriate. If so, make sure whatever you use is made specifically for infants, and follow the dosage recommendations on the packaging.
Many respected sources, including the Mayo Clinic, recommend avoiding topicals and homeopathic teething tablets.
TIP #4: The last thing you want is to add to your baby’s discomfort. Prevent a rash by keeping your baby’s face and neck as dry as possible from drool by using a bib and a soft cloth.
TIP #5: A little extra love goes a long way! The chores and errands can wait while you cuddle your baby through this tough phase.
If nothing seems to soothe your baby, or if they have a fever, diarrhea or cold-like symptoms, consult their pediatrician, as teething might not be the culprit
