REVISED FEB 2020
Dealing with a teething baby or toddler can be the worst! Your precious little one is in pain and there is not a whole lot you can do for them besides letting nature take it’s course. With that being said, there are a few things that you can do to help your kiddo be a little bit more comfortable.
Most babies start teething around 6 months, but they can start anywhere from 3-12 months, and last until around 3 years. Liam started teething around 4-5 months and cut his first tooth around 8 months, and he is still teething at close to 2 years old. In most babies, the 2 bottom front teeth typically appear first.
Please note that I am not a medical professional; just a mommy with experience and a blog to share on 🙂
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What to Expect
- Excessive drooling
- Facial rashes (from the extra drool)
- Biting more than usual
- Swollen, red and even bleeding gums
- Inconsolable crying
- Irritability and fussiness
- Trouble sleeping
- Chewing, sucking, and biting on everything
- Decreased appetite
- Low grade fever
How to make your babe more comfortable
- Extra snuggles: your little one is extremely uncomfortable, so offer them some extra comfort and that can be just what they need to calm down a bit.
- Bibs: these are an absolute must have! Your little one is going to be drooling all over the place and this can provide some quick clean up and prevent a rash as well. We kept Baby L in bibs until he was around 10-11 months old.
- Soothing Bath: the warm water in the bath will help your baby relax their body and can provide a distraction from the teething pain. Not to mention the change of scenery can be just what baby needs to take their mind off of their teething pain. Bonus if you use some bubble bath with lavender in it to calm your baby.
Items that can provide relief
- Teething toys: I personally like the teething toys that you can put in the freezer because it offers a two-for-one. They have something that they can chew on and the cold helps to numb their gums and provide short term reprieve. Here are some of my favorites:
- Teething necklace for mom: these necklaces are for mom or dad to wear and baby can actually chew on these providing comfort. These are especially handy when you are out and about:
- Baltic Amber Teething Necklace: these necklaces are designed to be worn, not chewed on by your little one. In a nutshell, body heat releases the succinic acid (this absorbs into the skin) contained in the stones, which is said to be a natural pain reliever and inflammation reducer. I personally tried this necklace with Baby L and didn’t notice much of a difference. And it also gave me anxiety to leave something around his neck (under my supervision of course). I know lots of mamas that swear by this remedy though, so it’s worth a try!
- Baby Food Feeder: this one is my absolute favorite remedy.
Not only does your little one get some relief, but they get a tasty treat too! You can put the food in as is or put it in the freezer to get the added numbing benefit. Bananas are a great food to start with in this feeder. I love this one so much because it is plastic, not mesh; mesh shreds a lot easier and the plastic will last longer and it’s easier to clean. Peaches, mandarin oranges, pears and avocado are perfect foods to put in here as well!
- Frozen/cold washcloth: put a clean washcloth in the freezer or just put cold water on one. This is great because the cold feels good on their gums and the texture of the washcloth provides some relief as well!
- Frozen waffles: the ridges of the waffle can help to provide some relief and as they melt, it can turn into a tasty treat. Another two-for-one!
- Toothbrush: your baby can chew on a regular toothbrush or one of these teether toothbrushes:
- OTC medication: this can help if your little one has had a persistent fever or is noticeably in pain. This would be the last thing that I would try if you don’t have any luck with the above remedies. Always consults with your pediatrician for the best dosage. Be very cautious about using any medications with the ingredient benzocaine, such as Baby Orajel. The FDA warns against products containing this ingredient.
For more help on a teething baby, see:
What worked for you when your little one was teething? I would love to hear from you!
