Teething in Babies
The process of teething is a natural process in babies, but this does not make it any less stressful for the parents. Some babies can really suffer during the teething process, whereas it is not such a big deal for other babies. You will find that the teething process can vary from one baby to another, with some having teeth when they are born, others developing their first teeth at around six months of age, and others not teething until they are a year old.
- Teething does cause discomfort in most babies, and you will find that whilst your baby is teething he or she is more irritable, cried a lot more, needs more attention, and may wake up a lot more during the night. There are ways to help the process of teething in babies, as well as to give them the extra comfort and support they need during this time.
- Give your baby extra comfort and cuddles during the teething process, as this can help to calm and sooth the infant. Talking to the baby in a soothing voice may help to take his or her mind off the discomfort of teething.
- Look into getting some teething gel to soothe your baby’s gums and relieve some of the discomfort. You can get sugar free gel or powder to apply to your baby’s gums from the chemist, but remember that this should not be used on babies that are under the age of four months. If in doubt, speak to the pharmacist or your doctor.
- If your baby is suffering real discomfort you may want to look at getting some infant paracetamol, which is sugar free and can help with rising temperatures that can arise from the teething process. Speak to your doctor or the pharmacist with regards to the suitability of infant paracetamol for your baby.
- You may want to invest in something like a teething ring, which the baby can bite down on in order to try and relieve some of the discomfort of teething.
- Brushing your baby’s teeth is important, even if he or she only has one or two of them. You can get special infant toothpaste and baby brushes that will be gentle on your baby’s teeth and gums and will help to keep them clean.
- Make sure that your baby enjoys a nutritious and healthy diet when he or she is old enough to take in solids. Avoid sugary foods and make sure that the baby gets plenty of vitamins and minerals in the diet, which can help with the teething process and the condition of the teeth.