When your baby starts teething, it can be a difficult stage for both parents and babies. Teeth can start to come out anywhere from three months to twelve months, and the process of teething will continue until the age of three years. Symptoms of teething include tender red gums, excessive drooling, chewing, rubbing the ears or cheeks, inconsolable crying, rashes around the neck or mouth, as well as decreased appetite. Fortunately, there are several pediatrician-approved tactics to help calm teething babies.
The first is to offer them a hard, sugar-free teething cookie. If your baby is older than 6 to 9 months, you can also offer cold water from a baby cup. Acetaminophen or ibuprofen may be given to relieve teething symptoms in infants and toddlers 3 months and older. Another tactic is to gently massage your baby's gums with your finger or a clean, soft cloth.
This is comforting for many babies as they adapt to the discomfort of teething. You can also try offering them a chilled banana puree if they are old enough and have already shown that they can tolerate solid foods. Finally, you can try using teething jewelry or toys that are marketed to relieve teething pain. These pieces can be placed in the freezer for about an hour before giving them to babies old enough to digest and eat them without suffocation.
If you're concerned that your baby's teething discomfort can't be relieved by any of the above methods, consult your doctor or pediatrician for advice on the use of medications to help with your baby's teething symptoms.
