How to Soothe Your Baby During Teething

Teething refers to the process that occurs when teeth first start to come through the child’s gums. This also happens to be one of the most frustrating times for parents and their children. However, knowing what will happen, what to expect during this time, and how to lessen the pain for the baby can prove to be very helpful.

There is no designated starting time, as there are babies who start teething from their third month. Others begin between their fourth and seventh months after birth. The first teeth will in many cases appear at the lower gum. They will appear as two teeth that are normally referred to as the central incisors. These two teeth will, later on, be followed by four front upper teeth after between four to eight weeks. These upper teeth are referred to as the lateral and central incisors. The two bottom teeth will then after a month be flanked by the lower lateral incisors. The next teeth to break through the gums will be the first molars followed closely by the eyeteeth.

It is common for kids to have all their first twenty teeth by the time they are turning three years. On the other hand, there are rare cases where a child happens to be born with one or two teeth. This should not cause any alarm unless the teeth are loose enough to pose a choking risk or interfere with the baby’s feeding patterns.

It is common for babies to experience all types of symptoms when they are undergoing this process. Some of the most common symptoms include:

Chilled water in a feeding container or a chilled flannel can be very easy to gnaw on. You should consider placing cold items close to your baby’s bed when he or she is undergoing this phase. You could also wash your hands every time you need to use your fingers to soothe or rub their aching gums.

If a child is in distress and you give them your breasts to suckle on, the breast milk may prove to be a secret weapon in such a situation. The milk comes filled with natural painkillers. Also, the vibrations coming from your breast will go a long way in helping soothe the child’s gums.

Gels and painkillers can help provide immediate relief when a child feels pain. However, you should not use them all the time to help your baby. Make sure that you only use the pain gels and medications according to instructions their packages provide. If possible, do not use the gels a few minutes before you feed the baby.
For the case of pain medication, stick to the dosage recommended by the paediatrician. Also, make sure that you do not use it on babies below the age of two months. It will be essential to consult a child’s healthcare professional before you start using aspirin and paracetamol to help soothe the child.

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