During the teething phase, you can expect your baby to feel miserable. True, some babies sail through with little to no problem but the majority do not. With swollen gums, your child would likely present different behaviors from what is considered “normal” for him or her. The good news is that while no baby enjoys teething, you have a number of options to provide comfort.
For starters, teething rings and pacifiers can be lifesavers. Choose a ring that is made from a reputable company to avoid the possibility of breakage. After all, your child may have a tooth or two already while developing more. Therefore, you do not want him/her to bite down on the teething ring or pacifier only to have it break. For ultimate ease of pain, place the ring or pacifier in the freezer for about five to ten minutes. The cold of the item will also help numb the gums, which makes a huge difference. The one thing you want to avoid is dipping the ring or pacifier in something sweet such as fruit juice or pop, which will only promote tooth decay, even if not teeth are showing.
One of the most obvious symptoms of teething is the excessive drooling. The reason for this is that around age two to three months, a baby produces a greater amount of saliva than what they can swallow. That coupled with the teeth trying to protrude through the skin, and the drooling problem becomes very obvious. Unfortunately, there are not many things you can do to stop the drooling but by using a cotton or some other type of absorbent bib, you can keep the baby semi-dry. In addition, some babies will develop a rash from the drool. The bib will help but also have him or her sleep on a cotton diaper to keep the face dry. Then, apply a mild lubricant to create a protective barrier for the consistent moisture.
Teething babies also deal with diarrhea on occasion. The human body is so fascinating that we sometimes forget it all connects. Therefore, while the drool of the baby may be on the face, his or her digestive system can also be affected, which results in diaper rash or diarrhea. Just remember that this problem is only temporary. With proper cleaning, dry diapers, and ointment, you can help make your baby’s teething much easier to handle.
Often a baby will fun a low-grade fever, which is the result of the teeth pushing their way through the gums. You should ask your doctor first, but he/she will likely have you give the baby an appropriate dosage of Tylenol. Finally, chewing is a big part of teething. In fact, I remember my son’s crib, which had teeth marks all along the railing. Although you might not be able to stop the biting, try offering the baby or toddler an alternative to furniture. For instance, a teething ring, cold spoon, cracker, or other similar items can help.