Teething is an inevitable part of a baby’s growth and development. This moment can be a challenging time for parents.
Although timing varies greatly, babies often start teething at around 6 months of age. The two lower front teeth (lower central incisors) usually appear first, followed by the two upper front teeth (upper central incisors).
Quoted from the Mayo Clinic, the following are common signs and symptoms of teething in babies:
ADVERTISEMENT
SCROLL TO CONTINUE WITH CONTENT
Excessive salivation Likes to chew objects Frequently fussy Gums that are often sore or tender Body temperature is slightly elevated, but no fever.
Tips for dealing with babies teething at night
Whatever the time, babies can become fussy when they are teething. At night, babies may have difficulty sleeping because they feel uncomfortable when their gums hurt.
Quoting from several sources, here are 7 tips for dealing with babies teething at night:
1. Make his gums comfortable with something cool
Mothers may notice that babies who are teething like to gnaw or chew their fingers. In fact, anything within reach will be bitten to help relieve sore gums.
When children experience this period, mothers can help them by offering cool bite aids. Cold temperatures can reduce pain in baby’s gums.
“One of the best home remedies for babies teething at night is to give them cold objects, which can numb the baby’s gums and reduce the pain,” said pediatric dentist in Clarksville, Tennessee, Jeannie Beauchamp, DDS, quoted from Parents.
Not all objects can be given as baby teething aids. Here are some safe ways to use cold objects to relieve baby’s gum pain:
Chill a wet washcloth in the freezer and use it to gently massage your baby’s gums with clean fingers. Fill a baby feeder with frozen baby food or ice cubes and offer it to the baby to chew. If the baby is 6 months or older and has started eating MPAI, try giving them soft bread or cool fruit such as melon or banana. Put your little one’s favorite teether in the freezer for a few minutes to cool it before giving it to the baby.
2. Prevent rash due to excessive saliva
Excessive drooling is a natural and common symptom of teething, in fact up to 92 percent of teething babies will salivate excessively. Then, the problem is that this condition can actually cause uncomfortable rashes on the baby’s skin.
Here are some tips to prevent or treat baby drool rash:
Use a soft apron to wipe excess saliva on the baby’s skin, especially the area around his mouth. Use an ointment such as petroleum jelly to create a protective barrier on your baby’s skin. Avoid soaps, lotions and detergents that contain harsh chemicals, including fragrances which can further irritate your baby’s skin.
3. Use your finger as a baby teether
Mothers can also use baby’s fingers as natural teethers. But first, make sure your little one’s fingers are clean.
For added comfort, try dipping your fingers in cool water to help soothe the gums. Squeezing your fingers can also be a way for babies to calm themselves when they are uncomfortable.
Apart from the 3 tips above, there are several other tips you can try to deal with babies teething at night.
Read the other tips on the next page, Mom.
For mothers who want to share about parenting and get lots of giveaways, come join the HaiBunda Squad community. Register click HERE. Free!