Teething is an inevitable part of your baby’s development, and it can be a nerve-wracking time for parents as their little ones struggle through cutting those first few teeth.
No matter the time of day, a fussy baby who’s teething can be hard to calm. But at least during the day, you expect to be awake. Here are some tips of what you can do to soothe your little one and get them back to dreamland at night.
When Teething Starts
Most babies begin teething somewhere between 4 and 7 months of age. But some children may begin teething earlier or later than this window.
Signs Your Baby Is Teething
All babies are different. So are their teething symptoms. Some will give no signs a new tooth is about to poke through. Others may show one or more of these symptoms:
Irritability
Excessive Drooling
Decreased appetite
Mouthiness
Slight increase in temperature
Other symptoms that a doctor should check out include:
Fever
Diarrhoea
Runny nose
Inconsolable crying
What's The Best Way To Soothe Sore Gums? If your teething baby seems uncomfortable, consider these simple tips:
Rub your baby's gums. Use a clean finger or wet gauze to rub your baby's gums. The pressure can ease your baby's discomfort.
Keep it cool. A cold spoon or chilled — not frozen — teething ring can be soothing on a baby's gums. To avoid cavities, don't dip these items in sugary substances.
Try an over-the-counter remedy. If your baby is especially cranky, consider giving him or her infants' or children's over-the-counter pain medications such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen.
What Treatments Should I Avoid? To keep your baby safe, avoid using:
Over-the-counter remedies, including homeopathic teething tablets. The benefits of topical gels and teething tablets haven't been demonstrated. In recent years, lab analysis of some homeopathic remedies found greater amounts than labelled of the ingredient belladonna, which can cause seizures and difficulty breathing.
Teething medications containing benzocaine or lidocaine. These pain relievers can be harmful - even fatal - to your baby.
Teething necklaces, bracelets, or anklets. These items pose a risk of choking, strangulation, mouth injury and infection.
Do I Need To Call The Doctor? Teething can usually be handled at home. Contact the doctor if your baby seems particularly uncomfortable or if teething seems to be interfering with his or her eating or drinking.
Taking Care For Your Baby's New Teeth Run a soft, clean cloth over your baby's gums twice a day - after the morning feeding and before bed. The cleansing can keep food debris and bacteria from building up in your baby's mouth. When your baby's first teeth appear, use a small, soft-bristled toothbrush to clean his or her teeth twice a day. Until your child learns to spit - at about age 3 - use a smear of fluoride toothpaste no bigger than the size of a grain of rice. Then switch to a pea-sized dollop as your child approaches 2 to 3 years of age.
It's also time to think about regular dental check-ups. The American Dental Association and the American Academy of Paediatric Dentistry recommend scheduling a child's first dental visit at or near his or her first birthday.
Remember, regular childhood dental care helps set the stage for a lifetime of healthy teeth and gums.
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