Teething Remedies and Tips That Actually WORK!

Is your baby currently teething and you need to find some teething remedies? Here are 10 bite sized teething tips that will hopefully ease your baby’s pain and help Mom sleep better at night. Look out for the signs and symptoms to figure out if your baby is actually teething then learn about my teething product recommendations.

This post was originally published on April 10, 2015.

Teething Remedies

Is my baby teething?

Has your baby been irritable, putting everything in his mouth and generally seeming uncomfortable? He could be suffering from teething pain. Lesley Malachowski From Rhubarb and Custard set out to give Fun With Mama readers some important information about teething along with some tips to make this time easier for you and baby Learn what teething actually is here.

Some babies will cut their first tooth without ever seeming to notice, while others will experience significant pain and discomfort. So, since no two baby’s symptoms are exactly the same, how do you know when your little one is teething?

Teething Symptoms

While teething symptoms can differ between babies there are couple of ‘fail-safe’ indicators that your little one is, indeed, getting a tooth. The main indicator of an impending tooth eruption is a swollen area of the gum, which can either be red or white (if the tooth is very close to the surface).

You could also put a clean finger-tip into the mouth and have a feel. Putting a bit of pressure on the gum and rubbing it gently will help with the pain too, so if you find that baby’s mood improves straight after you’ve done this, you’re probably going to see a tooth in the next couple of days.

Here are some signs to look out for when it comes to teething.

You may also see the following symptoms of teething:

• restlessness or grumpiness
• more dribbling than usual. The body produces extra saliva to lubricate their sensitive mouths
• lack of appetite
• difficulty in sleeping
• a rash develops on the chin because of the excess drool
• compulsive chewing of anything brought close to the mouth
• slightly elevated temperature (although anything above 38 degrees celsius will be caused by something other than teething)
• rubbing the cheek or ear. This is due to pain and not to an ear infection. Sometimes the pain of a tooth erupting will be felt in the entire jaw and into the ear on the side of the eruption.

Symptoms can start up to three days before the event, but should disappear as soon as the tooth is through. If they persist, you should seek medical attention.

Care and hygiene

The care and cleaning of your baby’s teeth are important for long-term dental health. Baby teeth are as prone to decay as adult teeth, so you should start a daily dental care routine for your baby even before their first tooth emerges.

Wipe your baby’s gums daily with a clean, damp washcloth or gauze. Once your baby’s first tooth appears, start brushing using a very soft brush from. No need for toothpaste. Just a gentle brush with a soft baby toothbrush will do.

It’s also helpful to know the order in which teeth come out.

Teething Tips

Here are a few more teething remedies to help your child.

• Symptoms of teething distress can include: dribbling, red cheeks, crying, sore ears, runny tummy, sore gums, a rash on the chin, a slightly elevated temperature.

• Some illnesses can look like teething symptoms! Consult your doctor if you’re not sure.

• Natural teething remedies include: breastfeeding, dribble bibs, put favorite teething toy in the fridge a while (not frozen), let baby chew a finger, barrier balm for chin rashes.

• Some medical remedies include: paracetamol (never aspirin), teething powders, teething gel for babies. Speak to your pharmacist about what’s available on the market, and what they recommend.

• Breastmilk is full of natural painkillers, so can help to soothe soreness.

• Teething toys are great, especially if they’re cold – but don’t put any teething toy or ring into the freezer. A frozen toy is too hard and can bruise baby’s delicate gums.

• Place teething toys in various spots around the house so that you’ll always have one to hand when needed. Wash them every day in warm, soapy water and rinse well before giving to baby.

• Do be vigilant about what your teething baby puts in her mouth. Random items, from car keys to puzzle pieces will go in if they’re in reach. At around four to six months, a baby loses the antibodies passed on from the mother. This is also the time when they start putting anything and everything in their mouths. Many kinds of worms and bacteria can enter the body this way. (This can also be the origin of the myth that teething makes babies get sick more easily.)

• Make sure you have plenty of dribble bibs on hand to keep baby’s neck and clothes from getting wet.

• Above all, try to keep calm – which is no easy feat when your baby is distressed – as your mood affects your baby’s. If you have a support network, use it when the going gets tough so that you can take a break, have a long bath or walk, and unwind.

Teething toys and product recommendations:

These toys are included in my teething remedies and tips because they made teething a little more bearable for my child and I:

• Hyland’s teething tablets – Hyland’s teething tablets are a homeopathic remedy. Give child two tablets to help with the pain. (Do not give more than 2 tablets at a time.)
• Sophie the Giraffe – Sophie is a teething toy made of 100% natural rubber and food paint. No need to worry about harmful chemicals and paint on a toy your child is sucking and biting on. Sophie is Phthalates and BPA free. It has an attractive design for baby and the length of it makes it easy for babies to grasp and get into their mouth. We do not leave home without Sophie and have find ways to make it easier to travel with her. Sophie is one of our absolute must have teething toys.
• Raz Baby Teether – My kids LOVED this! When child puts it in her mouth she can suck on it and it massages her gums. I didn’t leave home without this at one stage. Make sure to order the blue one or the pink one as some have complained that the red one came apart.
•  This Teething Necklace – Baltic Amber Natural immune system boost, anti-inflammatory & analgesic capabilities. The warmth from your child’s body allows the benefits of the Amber teething necklace to activate. Great alternative to medicine. Our amber teething necklaces are amongst some of our favorite teething remedies..
  

   

   

   

  

   

  

  
  Do you have some teething remedies that worked for your child and that isn’t included in this post? I’d love to hear about them!

Check out my  breastfeeding mom essentials.