Every stage of a child’s development is amazing to witness. From the moment a baby first opens his or her eyes, to the moment they start talking, walking, running, or teething it’s all exciting to watch. However, not every stage is fun for the baby. Many teething babies are irritable and difficult to comfort. If you are faced with this challenge, here are a couple of tips to make your baby’s teething experience easier for both them and yourself. A sleep-deprived household can be an unhappy one!
Teething Toys
Kids’ dentists say that when children begin to teethe, they have a sudden urge to chew, bite, and nibble on things. If you want to prevent a child from picking up strange objects and biting into them, look into purchasing a set of teething toys. There is quite an assortment available, from teething rings to chewable necklaces. BPA-free silicone is likely the better material to choose when purchasing these toys, as it is durable and won’t break easily.
Teethers and soothers provide your child with something to occupy their little hands and mouth. Some of these toys (particularly teething rings) often come with the option of being able to cool them in the refrigerator. Cooled teething rings can come in handy when trying to soothe the irritated gums of a little one.
WARNING: never put the teething ring in the freezer as a frozen toy can stick to your child’s tongue, causing terrible pain when you attempt to remove it.
Soothing Gels
Soothing gels are designed to offer localized comfort to the baby’s gums. Some websites recommend giving appropriate dosages of ibuprofen to children over 6 months. However, most dental professionals recommend purchasing a soothing gel that is specifically designed for the job. Unlike ibuprofen (which can only be administered periodically), these teething gels may be administered whenever the need arises. If your baby needs immediate relief you can use the gel without having to worry about an overdose.
Fruits or Teething Biscuits
If you want to give your baby something other than toys to chew, consider cutting up some raw fruit and giving it to him/her. Apples are a great choice. Carrot sticks are good, too.
There are biscuits designed to also help your child transition through this stage. A lot of these biscuits are not the breakable kind. They are specially designed to melt in your baby’s mouth, preventing choking.
WARNING: Never leave your baby to eat anything alone. Always watch them while they are eating to prevent choking.
Your baby’s teething experience is all part and parcel of child development. If you ever need any help concerning your child’s teeth formation, Dr. Todd can speak to you about any question you may have with your children’s teeth. Dial 905 728 2321.