If your baby is crabby, drooling and chomping on everything in sight, he or she is probably in the throes of teething. Teething starts at around 6 months old, when a baby’s teeth begin to erupt. Before you go crazy dealing with fussiness and tears, read these tips to keep sane during the teething years:
- Buy a teething ring: A firm rubber teething ring is the most durable. A liquid-filled ring could break under the pressure of the baby’s chewing.
- Keep it cold: A teething ring chilled in the freezer or a cold compress or washcloth can soothe your baby’s gums. Just don’t make it too cold. A frozen teething ring will hurt.
- Put pressure on your baby’s gums: Use your clean finger or apply a moist washcloth or gauze and gently massage your baby’s gums.
- Wipe away drool: Your baby will drool a lot during the teething process. Wipe away the drool from the lips and skin frequently to avoid dryness and chapping.
- Over-the-counter medications: Pain relievers can help if your baby is very fussy. Talk to your doctor to determine the right type of pain reliever and dosage before giving anything to your baby.
- Teething necklaces: Many moms swear by the amber necklaces that claim to prevent teething pain. Worth a try to see if it works for your baby.
Teething may be a challenging time for both you and your baby, but it’s normal. All 20 baby teeth should be in by age 3 and you’ll have the right solutions for your family figured out well before that. Want more advice? Learn more about how to care for your baby’s new teeth.
