We all forget how much pain our teeth cause us when it’s over. I forgot how I’d be in agony over my braces being tightened or further back to when a new tooth would emerge.
Teething sucks, for both baby/toddler and parents. Luckily (or unluckily) my toddler seems to have teeth that want to grow in quickly. We’ve been a dealing with a drool monster since 4 months. First teeth coming in at around 6 months and now at 14 months he’s got 8 teeth and more coming in. I’m in a due date Facebook group so I’ve seen different babies going through teething and we all want to know the same thing: How do we make it better?
I asked my group what their favorite tried and true remedy for teething is and here’s a list. I’m also adding my own tips as well!
What works for me:
- Teethers: that sounds simple enough. You should always look into getting any kind of teething toys for your baby. When they’re little I found my kiddo enjoying the soft silicon toys more than the hard plastic teethers. Eventually he moved on to the harder things as he got more teeth.
- Pain management via Tylenol or Motrin: especially when the baby is crying because they are just straight miserable. I’m the kind of mom who doesn’t want to overmedicate but on situations like this one, I tend to do the pain relief so he can get a good nights rest.
- Pain management with teething gel: this is like those little gels you put on your own gums but the baby ones are made without benzocaine. They have ones for daytime and nighttime (night specifically has chamomile added). I have to say this actually worked for us! I have been giving less doses of Tylenol. *
*Note: Someone mentioned that the teething gels aren’t FDA approved for babies, so please ask a pediatrician before using.
What other moms have said:
- Cut up stalks of celery sticks kept in water. Baby loves gnawing on it when they’re hurting.
- Camila tablets or other night time tablets. I had a couple people mention these. I haven’t tried them but they say it works well.
- Frozen/cold toys or pedialyte popsicles! [Note: most people say they freeze their toys but look at the actual toy and it’s packaging, some say FRIDGE ONLY and not freezer. I’ve read into that freezing the toys can cause freezer burn on the poor little gums. So just be cautious and careful!]
- Nursing. I didn’t really think of that as being a tip. Good ol’ boob normally does the trick in this household as well. I don’t know what I’d do if I wasn’t breastfeeding. It’s truly been a lifesaver for us — not with just the feeding but also when he gets sick and, of course, when he’s teething.
Teething is inevitable part of growing up! So hopefully these tips and tricks help you and your little one!
