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Ah, teething. Once you feel like you are getting into the swing of things,
teething serves as a thrown wrench into the works. Suddenly, your sweet baby is inconsolable, seemingly without explanation. Teething is the stage of growth where your baby’s first set of teeth begin to poke through their gums. While it makes for precious pictures, it is also a time of incredible discomfort for your baby and can be equally taxing on the parents. There is no set age when children begin teething; some will start showing teeth as early as 3 months, and others won’t experience this until closer to their first birthday. A general rule of thumb is babies start teething around 6 months. To help narrow down that window, look for some of these common signs that your baby is entering the teething phase:
Common signs that your baby is teething
1. Sore, red gums
2. Warm to the touch or slightly feverish
3. Baby is grabbing their ear
4. Face is flushed, particularly on one side
5. Drooling more than usual
6. Disturbed sleep
7. Ornery mood
8. Excessive chewing or gnawing on items
Once you notice your baby is starting to teeth, it is best to stock up on supplies. Check out our TEETHING SUPPLIES LIST for suggestions of what to buy for this phase of life!
Tips for Relieving Teething Pain
Teething can feel almost as painful for you as a parent as it is for your baby. You see your baby change dispositions and hurting and know there is no quick way out of this phase. Luckily, generations of parents have shared their knowledge to help the new moms and dads learn from their triumphs.
1. Breastmilk popsicles: Freeze breastmilk in popsicle trays. You could even slip some pureed berries in there for a boosted flavor. Then, when your baby has a new tooth popping through, the frosty treat will soothe their inflamed gums, provide a perfect gnawing toy while simultaneously delivering nutrients they might miss out on from interrupted meal times.
2. Washcloths: Despite there being countless teething rings on the market, some parents swear by a classic staple – a frozen washcloth. These can serve two purposes: first, you can use these to cool off your baby’s flushed face and fever; secondly, they can chew on it as a homemade teether.
3. Ibuprofen: Ibuprofen will provide pain relief while also helping bring down inflammation. Check with your pediatrician before giving any medication to your baby.
4. Frozen Fruit: Freeze your baby’s favorite fruits for delicious, on-the-spot relief. These cute fruit feeders comes in handy.
