If your baby is in teething mode, you’re probably losing a lot of sleep and are super stressed. Here’s an easy guide to help you manage their teething much better!
by Atomic Mommy Editors
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There is no official timeframe for when your baby’s teeth will officially start showing teeth. With that said, babies gums tend to start bothering them quite early on in there life, usually beginning around 3-4 months old. While some babies may not show signs of teething until they’re much closer 8 or 9 months old. No matter the age, when babies begin teething, knowing how to cope with this sometimes challenging stage of childhood, is crucial. Luckily you can read all about how to manage teething in the guide below.
How to know if they are teething?
It’s usually pretty obvious that your little one is teething because they will be distressed. As the teeth begin to get closer to the surface, your baby’s gums will get sore. Of course, other signs can help you confirm that your little one has begun teething as well.
Check for swollen gums, increased drooling, lack of appetite, a constant need to gnaw on things, and even broken gums from the teeth beginning to push their way out. Your child may even show signs of a fever and could also be so sensitive to the new experience that they may be inconsolable. These are all pretty good indicators that your baby has begun the teething process.
If your baby has not started putting things in their mouth, it’s a good idea to start buying safe, non-toxic, chewable toys that they can use rather than grabbing what ever they find on the floor to gnaw on. Also, you’ll need to be ever so mindful and watchful during this phase because anything they choose to put in their mouth can be a choking hazard. So be sure to keep this in mind as you prepare for your baby’s teething phase.
Which Teething Products
When teething, letting your child chew on anything that is at hand is a bad idea. Instead, investing in proper, safe teething products is crucial. There is a wide range on the market too, and you can change things up so your baby doesn’t get bored and always has something to nibble on, even when the other items are being cleaned.
One of the best options for teething products is a simple pacifier that has been chilled in the refrigerator before giving it to your child. The cold will help soothe their gums. A damp washcloth can also be effective, as can a teething blanket, which is an item that can be made of both fabric and silicon accessories providing a range of textures to help soothe your baby’s gums.
There are also special teething toys like rings that are made with your baby’s needs in mind. You can even get Silicone Beads to make teething jewelry now. This idea is great because it allows Mommy to wear the jewelry which provides a safe option for your baby to chew on when teething on the go.
How to Clean Teething Toys
If you are going to use teething products like toys and pacifiers it is vital that you also know how to properly clean them. After all, they will be going directly into your baby’s mouth.
For fabric items like teething blankets, regular laundering after use is best. But you’ll need to be sure to use all-natural, organic methods of washing the teething blankets so no toxins are put into your baby’s mouth. However, for silicone toys, washing with a small amount of dish detergent and a toothbrush to get into any hard-to-reach places is the best approach. As final step, be sure to find out if your silicone toys and teething blankets can withstand high heat temperatures because boiling them in water might be the safest cleaning option.
When to Call Your Doctor
Last of all, while teething is a natural phenomenon, it is sometimes necessary to see your baby’s doctor. This is particularly the case if your baby has a high fever, or is showing signs of significant distress. Remember, high fevers that are not responding to the methods of bringing the fever down, can cause serious damage and sometimes, seizures. So, always call your baby’s doctor and let them know what is going on.
The Takeaway
Baby teething is a very stressful period of time for both baby and parent. It leads to sleepless nights, crying fits, appetite loss, and pain. So before your little one starts their teething journey, be sure to use the tips above, have your soothing products handy, and remember to stay calm in the moment. Your little one feeds off of your energy, so the calmer you are, the more likely your baby will realize teething is not so difficult to get through.