How to Treat Symptoms of Teething

The first tooth is big milestone in a baby's life. However, teething can be painful and cause fever plus fussiness in even the happiest baby. Try these treatments to alleviate the symptoms of teething and to make your baby a little more comfortable.

Difficulty:

Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need

• Washcloth
• Various frozen foods
• Pacifier
• Teething ring
• Hyland's teething tablets
• Ibuprofen
• Acetaminophen
• Orajel

1. 

   Try massaging your baby's gums. Wash your hands thoroughly and then rub your baby's gums with your index finger. Apply more pressure if needed. Be careful of bites from existing teeth but the counter pressure can soothe aching gums. There are even items out there that you can place on your finger for extra comfort and relief for the baby.

2. 

   Second, try the method of the frozen washcloth. This will almost always alleviate the pain of a teething. To prepare, simply soak a clean washcloth in water until it is completely saturated. Then place the washcloth into a clear, plastic storage bag and put in the freezer for no less than an hour. To start, do this with two or three washclothes so that there is always one for the baby. Remove from the freezer when ready and give it to the baby to chew on. This offers a lot of relief to sore gums.

3. 

   If the washcloth is not working or your are ready to try something else, consider offering something that the baby can gnaw on. Gnawing on something hard such as a frozen/refrigerated teeting ring (the kind with ridges and bumps) or a frozen pacifier will also relieve some of the teething pressure. To freeze a pacifier, place into water and let the pacifier suck up the water. Freeze and the item becomes a popsicle on which the child can suck and get relief.

4. 

   Try food. Teething biscuits, frozen bagels, frozen grapes or bananas in a mesh bag or any other sort of hard food that the baby can gnaw on will offer instant relief. You can even slightly freeze some baby food such a pureed apples or peaches and then feed your baby for relief as well. Even a frozen carrot has been known to offer relief.

5. 

   Cnsider the homeopathic methods available for teething. There are teething tablets such as Hyland's Teething Tablets or teething oil that are considered soothing and relaxing for babies.

6. 

   Finally, as a last resort, try medicine. There are over-the-counter teething gels, acetaminophen and ibuprofen that can help your child feel better. Of course, always check with the pediatrician to insure the proper dosage.

Tips & Warnings

• There are many symptoms of teething babies that many parents are not aware of including but not limited to: drooling, biting, swelling of gums, fussiness, irritability, sleeping problems, refusing food, diarrhea, rash, fever and vomiting.

• Make certain that any food that you give your baby is protected in the food net shown above so that it cannot break apart and get lodged in the baby's throat.

Resources

• A wonderful teething resource