Soothing Baby's Teething Pains

The arrival of their baby's first tooth is a momentous occasion for most parents. It can be such an important event that some parents feel the need to mark it as a red letter day on their calendars, throw a party, or at least, give their baby's fist one-toothed smile its own scrapbook page. But regardless of how much pomp meets this occasion, one thing is clear – it is very uncomfortable for the baby.

Teething can cause your baby's gums to be painful in a dull, throbbing kind of way. Gums also tend to be tender and swollen which can make for uncomfortable feedings. Most of all, teething can be really itchy and uncomfortable – a situation that can make your baby decidely fussy. Keep your baby happy while teething by practicing these pain relief tips:

1. Give your baby with chilled teething toys or food.
Chill child-grade and safe teething toys for your baby to chew on. The coolness of the toys can soothe your baby's gums and make teething pain more bearable. Alternatively, you can also provide him with chilled or cold food like frozen bagels or ice pops. Aside from being edible, chilled foods also provide the necessary coolness to alleviate teething pain. Another option you might consider is letting your child chew on a chilled, clean, and lint-free washcloth. The coolness of the washcloth can provide relief from teething pain while absorbing your baby's excess drool.

2. Rub your baby's gums gently.
Teething pain is often triggered by the unequal pressure caused by the new tooth. To neutralize the imbalance, you can gently massage your baby's gums with your finger. Not only does the pressure brought by your finger relieves teething pain but it also improves blood circulation in the gums to ease the new tooth into coming out.

3. Use infant pain toothgels.
If you need to go out during the day, an infant pain toothgel is a convenient way to stop teething pain temporarily. Similar to a topical anesthesia, this product numbs your baby's gums for a period of time to block pain signals. Infant pain gels are also useful at night to ensure a good night's sleep for you and your baby.

4. Use home remedies.
You may not know it but your cupboard and pantry can have the safest remedies for teething pain. Massaging a bit of clove oil on your baby's gums can temporarily alleviate teething pain. Cloves and clove oils have numbing and warming properties that can effectively put teething pain in check. Another option is to let your baby chew or suck on natural licorice sticks. Instead of warming the gums like clove, licorice cools your baby's mouth and gums while slightly mumbing it to soothe pain caused by teething.

5. Administer infant pain relievers.
If your child experiences teething pain due to excessive soreness in the gums, you might want to consult a pediatrician. He or she can prescribed infant-grade pain relievers for your baby's teething pain. Pay attention to instructions and stick to the prescribed dosage when giving your baby infant pain relievers.