Teething is a very painful experience for babies. There is nothing you can do to make it easier for them.
However, there are some things that you can do to make their teething experience as stress-free as possible. Here we will take a look at what you should know about teething babies and how you can help your child through this trying time. Teething is something that most babies go through when they’re around 6 months old or so. It’s not something that all kids have to deal with, but most of them do sooner or later.
Sometimes, the teething process starts earlier than usual, which can be quite worrying for the parents because there are no obvious signs of teething coming. However, some common signs indicate that your baby might be going through this process sooner than expected.
Teething comes with a lot of challenges for parents and babies. It’s hard to see your baby in pain, and even harder when you don’t know how you can help them. Teething is a natural process that babies need to go through to get their adult teeth.
Thankfully, there are ways to make this process easier and less painful for your little one.
Fortunately, teething doesn’t last forever. If you want to know more about this challenging period in your baby’s life, keep reading! We have all the information you need below with tips on how to cope with teething with your baby. Read on…
How can you know whether your baby is teething or in pain for another reason?
If your baby is teething, they might experience any of the following symptoms:
- Their gums will become red and swollen, and they’ll have trouble chewing on their toys as well as feeding properly.
- If the teething process starts earlier than normal, their gums might become swollen and tender even though the teeth are not yet fully formed. This can cause your baby to cry inconsolably.
- They might develop a slight fever as a result of an infection or inflammation brought on by the teething process.
- They’ll also likely drool more than usual and will want to chew on almost everything in sight.
If your baby is in pain for another reason, then you will also see signs of discomfort and disruption in their behavior. However, the signs and symptoms might vary depending on the cause. For example, if your baby has a fever, you’ll notice that they have trouble sleeping and feeding properly. If your baby has a toothache, they’ll probably cry out and grab it in their mouth.
What are the common signs of teething?
- Increased drooling – One of the most common signs of teething is an increase in drool. This is because your baby’s mouth and gums are inflamed and irritated. As a result, they’ll have an increased flow of saliva.
- Feeding issues – Another potential sign of teething is feeding issues. This includes difficulty chewing and swallowing as well as refusing to eat.
- Sleeping problems – Teething can also cause sleeping problems. You might notice that your baby wakes up more often at night and that they’re very difficult to calm down.
- Irritability – Another potential sign of teething is irritability. Your baby might become very fussy and difficult to deal with as the teething process continues.
- Redness in mouth – Aside from the increase in drool, you might also notice that your baby’s mouth becomes very red and swollen.
- Thirsty – As teething progress, your baby could become extremely thirsty. They might even start drinking more than they usually do.
What Can You Do About It?
The teething process isn’t something that you can speed up. The best thing you can do is to help your baby through this time by being patient and comforting them as much as you can. Once the teeth have come through, your baby will be out of this phase in no time. In the meantime, here are a few things that you can do to help your baby deal with the pain of teething.
Know your baby’s behavior when teething
During the teething process, your baby will experience a great deal of discomfort. They will also be extremely fussy and difficult to deal with. During this time, you’ll have to put up with some serious disruptions in your daily routine. Here are a few things that you should keep in mind while dealing with a teething baby.
- Try to keep your baby calm at all times
- Some babies can get so worked up during the teething process that they cry inconsolably. You should try to keep your baby calm at all times so that their discomfort isn’t exacerbated.
- Keep your baby hydrated
- Babies who are going through the teething process often become very thirsty. Therefore, you should make sure to keep them hydrated at all times.
- Stay calm – During the teething process, you’ll have to deal with your baby’s constant irritability. You should make sure to stay calm while dealing with your child as this will help them remain calm as well.
Introducing your baby to different textures
Some experts recommend introducing your baby to different textures when they’re still in the womb. This is known as fetal textile therapy and it has been proven to help babies sleep better, have better eating habits, and even reduce their crying when they’re teething.
- Ideally, you should use soft fabrics like cotton and spandex. You should avoid fabrics that are too itchy, such as wool and polyester.
- You can also let your baby wear some soft and comfortable fabrics on their feet. This will help them get used to different textures from the very start.
- You can let your baby chew on different fabrics too, but you should make sure that nothing comes off of them.
Tips to help your teething baby feel better
- Give your baby something to chew on – If you can keep your baby’s mouth busy, you’ll be able to prevent them from putting things in there that they shouldn’t. You can give your baby a toy or even a teething ring so that they can get some relief from the pain.
- Offer them frozen food or toys – Another way to help your baby deal with the pain of teething is to offer them frozen food or toys. This is especially important if your baby is in the very early stages of teething.
- Try applying a cool pack – If your baby is going through the early stages of teething and they’re experiencing a great deal of discomfort, you can try applying a cold pack to their gums. This will help them calm down and deal with the pain more easily.
- Brush your baby’s teeth – Brush your baby’s teeth will help them get through the teething process more easily. You can use a small toothbrush and fluoride-free toothpaste designed for babies.
- Give them pain-relieving teething toys – You can also give your baby a toy that can help them get rid of their pain. Make sure that it’s made of soft material so it’s safe for your baby to chew on.
