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Teething Baby? 12 Brilliant Ways To Soothe Your Child's Sore Gums

Rosy cheeks, dribbling and gnawing on just about everything (not to mention sleeping badly) – you’ll quickly find you’re an expert on the various signs of teething. Time to get clued up on how to ease your baby’s discomfort.

While your baby’s new teeth are a sign that he’s ready to enter the wonderful world of weaning, those pearly whites pushing through his gums can be really painful for him.

The tears and the constant crankiness that come with teething are tough to take – and it’s horrible to see your baby in pain.

The good news? There are lots of tried and tested ways that you can help soothe his sore gums.

Get The Camera Ready - You'll Want To Capture That Toothy Grin [Rex]
Get The Camera Ready - You'll Want To Capture That Toothy Grin [Rex]



1. Pressure
Use your fingers to give your baby a gentle, but firm, gum massage.

“Make sure your finger is clean and apply pressure,” says Claire Stevens, hon. secretary of the British Society of Paediatric Dentistry. “The pressure is usually comforting, and distracting, too.”

2. Frozen Food
Cold foods are brilliant soothers for sore gums – and rather than handing your tot a sugar-pumped ice lolly, arm him with a healthy alternative like a frozen banana.

3. Cold Washcloth
Soak a new wash cloth in water and chill it in the fridge before giving to your baby to chomp on. The chewing sensation will help ease the pressure in his gums – and hopefully ease his crankiness. 

4. Crunchy Food
Noticed your baby gnawing at his hands? Get him a crunchy snack to chomp on instead. A piece of raw carrot or a breadstick is ideal – just try to avoid anything sugary.

Non-Toxin, Chewable Toys Are Perfect For Teething Babies [Rex]
Non-Toxin, Chewable Toys Are Perfect For Teething Babies [Rex]



5. Frozen Dummy
If your baby uses a dummy, stick it in the fridge until it’s nice and cold. When your baby next uses it, the chilled sensation will be really satisfying for his angry gums.

6. Teething Jewellery
We’ve gone a long way since the days of amber teething necklaces. Whether you want to invest in some jewellery that you can wear and is safe for your baby to chew on, or you want a necklace for your baby to wear himself, you’ll find yourself spoilt for choice with the numerous styles and designs available.

7. Teething Toy
Something hard to chew on, such as a teething ring or rubber toy, is another great pain reliever. You can maximise the soothing effect by putting the toy in the fridge beforehand to make it cold.  

8. Distraction
Just like with any type of pain, a good strong dose of distraction can be the remedy. So when those tears are threatening to start up again, grab her for a cuddle or start pulling some silly faces and the pain will be pushed from her mind in no time.

Dribbling Is Just One Sign Of Teething That Prince George Is Familiar With [Yahoo Lifestyle]
Dribbling Is Just One Sign Of Teething That Prince George Is Familiar With [Yahoo Lifestyle]



9. Teething Biscuits
Not all babies like the sensation of chilled foods, which is when teething biscuits can be a great alternative.

Make sure you read the labels carefully to check that the brand you buy is safe for your baby’s age and keep an eye on him to avoid the risk of choking.

10. Feed Him
The sucking action of either breast or bottle-feeding could help reduce the pain of teething – or it may have the opposite effect. Follow his cues and see whether it’s helpful for him.  

11. Teething Gels
Sugar-free teething gels can be really helpful. “Use one that’s been designed for babies from three months and it can help numb the overlying gum as a tooth comes through,” says Claire Stevens. “Use sparingly and for a few days only.”

12. Medication
If nothing else works, speak to your GP about medicines that are safe for your baby to take. Ibruprofen is suitable for babies that are over six months old, and can help lessen his inflamed gums, or your doctor may suggest an over-the-counter painkiller such as acetaminophen.

[Signs Your Baby Is Teething]

[Baby Dental Care: Everything You Need To Know About Brushing Your Child’s Teeth]

Do you have any other teething tips to share? Let us know in the comments.