How to Get My Infant to Eat While Teething
Watching your baby grow is a wondrous journey layered with many joys and concerns. Teething is a major hurdle for both parents and children. When a baby's new teeth are coming in, the gums become swollen. Babies often experience a loss of appetite during this time as all attempts to suck or chew are met with discomfort. While this is normal and temporary, there are tricks that sometimes work to restore a baby's appetite and a parent's peace of mind.
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Things You'll Need
- Soft Foods
- Teething Rings
- Toddler Cup
- Toddler Toothbrush
- All Natural Teething Tablets or Powder
- Clean Washcloth
- Spoon
- Frozen Juice
- Popsicle
Instructions
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Teething babies often find it easier to take liquids from a cup. Offer your teething infant a breast or bottle for comfort and nourishment. Reduce the discomfort caused by sucking by giving your baby formula or pumped breast milk from a toddler cup that allows the liquid to pour through the opening. Try using a regular cup in a size small enough for your baby to hold comfortably.
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Soft foods like watermelon do not put painful pressure on the gums. Offer your baby a variety of soft, natural foods. Give her bananas, strawberries, blueberries or peas -- these foods are soft, tasty and easy to pick up. Bake apples, pears or sweet potatoes until soft and feed to your baby once cooled. Steam vegetables like broccoli, carrots and spinach until soft. Break your baby's fast with yogurt, oatmeal or other soft grain cereals.
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Give your child two natural teething powders or tablets a few minutes before feeding. Crush all-natural teething tablets and rub them on the gums. Place three to four tablets in your baby's mouth where they will dissolve quickly or dissolve a few tablets in a teaspoonful of water and pour into your baby's mouth.
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Rotate two or more rings in the refrigerator for continuous cooling relief. Give your baby teething rings to chew on that have been chilled in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes. Avoid rings that have small objects floating within as they present a possible choking hazard.
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Chewing on a cool spoon relieves teething discomfort. Massage your baby's gum. Use a clean forefinger to massage areas where teeth are forming. Rub a small toddler-sized toothbrush or cool spoon gently across the gums.
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Freeze a clean, dampened washcloth then allow the baby to chew on it. Monitor your child to prevent accidental choking.
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Frozen popsicles soothe irritable gums. Offer your baby frozen juice with a spoon. Freeze juice in a cup or bowl. Crush frozen juice into small pieces and let your baby eat it with a spoon. Give her frozen popsicles made from 100 percent juice for a tasty and soothing treat.
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Tips & Warnings
Do not use over-the-counter teething medications on your baby unless advised and supervised by a health care physician. The FDA has linked benzocaine, the active ingredient in most teething medications including Baby Orajel and Anbesol, with a rare and potentially life threatening condition.
Teething should not cause fever or diarrhea. Consult your doctor if your baby is exhibiting these symptoms for more than 24 hours, as this may indicate a more serious condition.
Consult a doctor if your baby's gums become reddened, have pus or an unpleasant smell as these are signs of a possible infection.
This information is not intended to replace the advice of a qualified healthcare practitioner.
References
Resources
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