Did you know about 1 out of every 2,000 babies are born with teeth? Yes, that’s right. These are called natal teeth- they aren’t common but occasionally happen. Although this isn’t the subject matter, this time around, it is an interesting fact I thought to share!
I feel that teething is the toughest collection of milestones for little ones (& their caregivers!) to get through. We have put together the ultimate guide to help you get through the teething phase with your littlie.
1. Signs That Your Baby Has Started Teething
Remember that every baby is unique and may have some or all of these signs to varying degrees.
- Red/pink cheeks or face
- A runny nose and increased drooling
- Biting on things more
- More irritable or fussy
- More nappy changes and perhaps nappy rashes resulting from an acidic tummy
- Changes to their sleeping and eating patterns (decreased appetite)
- Swollen gums
2. Ways to Comfort Your Baby's Gums During Teething
- Give your little one silicone teething rings or toys to chew on.
- Recommendation: I’m not being biased, but do try our Teether Bibs; they help with the drooling, they’ll have a teether to carry around all the time, and there’ll be no dropping it.
- Use a cold washcloth to gently massage aching gums (try freezing damp cloths).
- Teething biscuits or gels.
- Pain relievers - many prefer natural pain relievers rather than over-the-counter (OTC) pain relievers. But if you do need something a little stronger and opt for OTC meds, avoid ones with benzocaine or lidocaine, (this is usually indicated on the packaging). These are discouraged for children under the age of 2 years, as they are associated with the risk of methemoglobinemia.
- Give them extra cuddles and attention to help distract them from the discomfort… babywearing can be a lifesaver during this time.
- Try to continue with your bedtime routine to help soothe them to sleep despite the teething discomfort- consistency is important.
Now that we have all the important parts, this is where you come in. If you’ve gone through the teething stage or are currently working your way through it with your little one, it hopefully means you’ve found things that work for you from first-hand experience.
Please share your favourite products for us to include in this guide for the other mammas in our tribe!
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