Tips for mums of teething toddlers

Ask any seasoned mum about teething and she will have stories to tell you about this time, which can be a stressful one for the family. this period. While it usually happens around 6 months of age, it can happen a bit earlier or later as each child is unique. Some children suffer more than others, and seeing the discomfort is no doubt hard on the parent.  With that in mind, here are a few tips for dealing with teething toddlers.

Symptoms to watch for

Teething usually starts at around 6 months, when either the lower or upper two front incisors begin to erupt. Typical symptoms include drooling, chewing on things, irritability, sore gums, and a slight increase in body temperature. If you notice any of these symptoms, invest in a few baby teethers from CMC Gold to help and consider the following suggestions.

How to help teething toddlers:

Rub baby’s gums

Clean your finger and gently rub on the baby’s gums, which can help as it relieves the pressure on the baby’s tender gums. Don’t be alarmed if a baby bites down on your finger, although a teether is a better solution than your finger.

It is a natural aspect of teething for a baby to want to bite down, which is why teethers are recommended. Some mums put a small piece of chilled gauze around their fingers and rub this over the baby’s gums, which can provide some temporary relief.

Chilled spoon

A cold (not frozen) teaspoon softly rubbed on a baby’s gums can soothe the condition and stop the baby from crying. Don’t put sugar on the spoon, as this promotes tooth decay. It’s not conducive to good infant and toddler nutrition.

Cold spoon use was a favorite remedy in the 1960s and it is enjoying a revival lately. Perhaps a few grandmothers passed on the tip to younger generations.

Over-the-counter pain medication for teething toddlers

There are infant versions of Tylenol and Ibuprofen that can help reduce the pain. You should consult your doctor prior to administering infant painkillers and make sure you follow the dosage recommendations.

Most mums try to avoid using drug-based pain medication for their children. They make it a last resort and consult with a physician before ever using it.

Treatments to avoid

Things to avoid include teething medication that contains benzocaine or lidocaine while teething bracelets can cause suffocation. There are lots of free resources online about teething and Google can take you where you need to go to answer any question you might have.

Stay calm

Some babies suffer more than others and if your toddler seems to be bothered by sore gums, try recommended pain relief, which should help. Teethers are probably the best solution and babies naturally want to bite down. Search online for a leading supplier of baby products and you can order a few teethers.

Cold foods for teething toddlers

Almost frozen, small pieces of fruit can numb the gums, offering temporary relief for sore gums. Cut small strips of melon or cucumber and freeze them, a wide cut increases the surface that makes contact with the gums, and use them when the baby seems bothered by sore gums.

Avoid bananas as things can quickly get messy, you want fruit with strong fiber for a clean experience. Check out this guide for more about feeding your baby over the first year.

Frozen washcloths

In the 1970s and 80s, many Australian mums used frozen washcloths (obviously unused) and when a baby bites down on this, it temporarily numbs the gums. Keep a few in the freezer and this might be the perfect teething solution.

Teethers

For many mums, putting a few teethers in the freezer works; search online for a supplier of high-quality teethers and order 3-4, and that way, you always have at least 2 in the cooler.

Indeed, the online supplier of quality baby products has you covered all aspects of baby and toddler care. Dummies, teethers, hair brushes, baby clothing, and care products are all available and offer fast delivery.

Trial and error for teething toddlers

Sometimes you have to be creative and if one thing doesn’t work, try another, and eventually, you will hit on a winning solution. You could join a Facebook new mum’s group and ask for ideas on dealing with teething. Your friends who are parents also are sure to advice on how they dealt with this period.

It is certainly an exciting time when your baby starts to develop and there are government resources to help new mums. Luckily, teething won’t go on forever, and it will soon be over. Here’s to the happy moments ahead!