Help! How to make teething less painful?
Top mom tips from Finn + Emma…
Teething. Let’s be honest: it’s not fun for anyone. But, in spite of this fact, we do have some tips that hopefully will make it less painful for both baby and you.
1) Recognize the signs that your baby is teething
Teething typically begins around 6 months, but don’t be surprised if you start seeing indicators as early as 3 months (or maybe not until your baby is closer to a year old). Look for these types of signals and behavior changes that can tip you off to teething developments:
- Disturbed sleep patterns
- Increased drooling and facial rashes
- Swollen gums and/or a tooth visible below the gum line
- Cold-type symptoms including fever and cough
- Decreased appetite
- Trying to bite and suck on everything
- Rubbing of the face or pulling of the ears
2) Try some of these tactics to provide relief to baby
- “Keep cool”—Cold or frozen foods/items can provide relief and reduce gum inflammation for your little one; try a frozen washcloth or spoon, a cold carrot or celery stick, or frozen slushy
- Clean up the drool—Keeping baby’s face clean helps prevent skin irritation (and you can use a lotion if needed)
- Rub your baby’s gums—The pressure can help with discomfort
- Try a wooden teether—Many little ones love holding and gnawing on one, and it can provide relief during the teething process—but be sure to choose wood (plastic ones are often laden with toxic chemicals), which is durable and naturally microbial
For more information on teething, check out these Tips for Soothing Sore Gums from the Mayo Clinic.
P.S. A lot of moms tell us that their babies love our Finn + Emma teething rattles and rings especially when experiencing discomfort. These are made from Indian hardwood, finished with non-toxic vegetable seed wax, and stuffed with Indian cooking beans. Plus, they come in an array of cute shapes and styles!