Teething can be a painful and frustrating process for babies and parents alike. Whether they’re getting one tooth in or many at a time, we as parents are always looking for new ways to help ease their pain and make life a little easier. I have read all the articles and listened to many different people give me advice on what works and what doesn’t, and believe me when I say that you don’t have to spend a lot of money on the solution.
I have three children all of which I went through those tough teething times with and spent a lot of money on products promising that they would help, only to find that the effects did not last long or they just flat out did not help. Many of the items that I tried my children just were not interested in.
There are many different ways to help soothe their sore little gums, all of which you can use your household items for. One thing to try is to just get a small hand towel, wet it, twist the end, and stick it in the freezer until it is frozen. Then all you have to do is pull it out, give it to your little one and they can chew on it and it provides instant relief. If your baby is too young to hold the towel themselves you can hold it for them, even just getting a towel wet with cold water and rubbing it over their gums will provide relief.
I’ve also found that instead of using baby Orajel you can use liquid Tylenol. Just put a dab of it on your fingertip or on the end of a cotton swab and rub it onto the affected area. Your baby will like the taste of this much better than the Orajel.
Some other ideas would be to freeze a bagel and let your baby chew on it. Bagels are a tough bread and won’t easily come apart while they are chewing on it. If these ideas still don’t help and your little one is extremely cranky, try finding things to do with her/him to help take their mind off of it. Even if you have to switch what you’re doing a couple of times, I promise it will help. Sing songs, dance, read a book quietly, or splash in a tub.
All these things will help your little one keep their mind off of what is hurting them. And of course at nighttime, you might not get as much rest as you would like. Before bedtime be sure to give them the proper dosage of Tylenol or Motrin to help them sleep. If you find they wake up frequently let them know that you are there, rub on their back, or sing a song to them that comforts them. Other than these tried and true methods, there is not a lot more you can do. My advice is to try and see what works, stock up on the Tylenol or Motrin for your baby and yourself, and to always be calm. Babies can sense how people feel around them and more than likely, if you’re stressed out, your baby will be also.
