Cutting Teeth - How To Help Soothe Your Teething Baby

There might be nothing worse to experience than a baby who’s teething. The low grade fever, bright pink cheeks, and perpetual discomfort is enough to drive your baby into a screaming, crying frenzy if left unchecked. While the days of our grandmothers spot of brandy on the gums is certainly behind us, there are definitely some tactics you can take to help ease the teething pain. 

Please note: Whatever method you choose to help soothe your baby’s teething pain, please make sure you are watching them at all times anytime they are putting items into their mouth to avoid choking or serious injury.

Teething Toys

There are a number of teething toys to choose from on the market! Things to keep in mind when choosing a teething toy are safety and texture. Firm teething toys and rings are preferable to those with gel, liquid, or that are a softer consistency. The pressure from your baby’s chewing may pop or crack those that aren’t solid silicone or plastic, causing safety issues.

Choose a firm, food-safe silicone ring such as this textured teether ring. Pop it into the freezer before use to give your baby’s swollen gums some cooling relief as they gnaw away! If your baby seems happiest when they’re sucking on their bottle, talk to your medical provider about giving them a bottle full of cold water to suck/chew on. While too much water at too young of an age might not be an issue, a little cold water in a bottle can go a long way for teething!

Temperature

Along those lines, the addition of something cold can aid your baby in finding relief from teething pain. A frozen washcloth, teething toy as aforementioned, or even a pacifier popped into the freezer for a bit will help! If your baby is eating solids, you can freeze a cucumber or carrot stick and let them go to town (with proper supervision). The cold will not only help their sore gums with inflammation and discomfort, but they will also love being able to try new foods!

Remove The Drool

If your baby is drooling in excess, make sure you wipe it off and keep it dry to keep sores from developing in and around their mouth! Definitely avoiding any added discomfort is key!

Utilize Over-The-Counter Pain Relievers If Needed

It’s okay to give your baby some children’s Ibuprofen (which works for teething pain better than Tylenol in most cases!) to break a fever or lessen the pain if nothing else is helping. Obviously utilize this sparingly and always follow instructions after discussing with your pediatrician, but sometimes it is the only option for your baby (and you!) to find a little relief.

If you are looking for other teething soothers, reach out to one of our Doulas today! We’re happy to help you strategize!