Teething is a difficult time both for the baby as well as the child. A baby generally cries a lot during this time and that is completely understandable as their sharp teeth are poking their way up through their gums. Teething generally takes place between the sixth and ninth month and if the baby is breastfeeding, this can cause additional problems for the mother. The teeth generally appear in pairs and in most cases it is the lower incisors that are the first to emerge. There are several remedies and methods that you can make use of in order to ease the pain and discomfort of teething.
A cold compress of any sort will be very soothing to the baby’s sore gums. One of the simplest methods of providing a clean cold compress is to place the baby’s pacifier in the refrigerator for a few hours. Once it has cooled down considerably, you can rinse it once more and give it to your baby. This will help to decrease the pain as well as the inflammation right away. Make sure that you do not place the pacifier in the freezer as this will cause it to become excessively cold and the intense cold can actually aggravate the pain. You will also have to make sure that you wash the pacifier well before and after you place it in the freezer. If possible place it in a clean air-tight container. This is because a refrigerator is often home to bacteria and spores from foods which can be harmful to your baby. Under no circumstances should you place an ice cube or an ice chip on a baby’s gums. This is very dangerous as it could land up slipping into the baby’s throat and can even cause choking. You can place several pacifiers in your fridge and you can then use them as and when they are needed.
You can also massage the base of the baby’s gums very gently. You can wash your hands well and use your little finger to do this. This will help to ease the aching caused by the growing teeth. Make sure that you do not try to massage the top of the gums as any pressure on them will result in even more pain. You will also have to make sure that your nails are clipped very short and are well filed.
Do not try to give your baby any pain medication unless it has been specifically prescribed by your doctor.
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