When your little one starts teething its not fun for everyone in the Family. To make life a little easier here are our Top Tips to help with Teething Babies

What is Teething

Teething it the name given to when your baby’s teeth starts to come through the gums. Every baby develops differently but on average you can expect teething to happen when your little one is anytime from 2 to 6-month-old.

This Chart Below Gives you an idea of what order the teeth come in and rough at what age they will fall out.

What are the Signs that your Baby is Teething?

Every baby is different and not every baby is troubled massively with teething but some are and here are the most common signs and symptoms of teething: –

• Chewing on object more than often
• Dribbling more than usual
• Irritable behaviour
• A slight Fever up to 37.5
• Sore or Swollen gums to touch
• Not Sleeping as well
• Grabbing at their ears
• Rubbing at their face
• Gone off food
• Flushed, red rosy cheeks or face

A load of parents says that teething can also cause your little one to have diarrhoea and a runny nose. The thing is there is actually no scientific proof that it is related although some paediatrics have explained hat as your baby are putting more objects in their mouths whilst teething that they are more prone to picking up germs and viruses, so this is definitely something worth keeping an eye out for and its it gets worse, or your little one starts being sick or not eating it would be best to get in touch with a doctor and not just presume its part of teething.

Top Tips to Help Teething Babies

Once you have worked out your little one is teething, you will no doubt want to try and help them as its not fun seeing them in such discomfort. To Help here are a few Top Tips that have worked for us in the past

• Teething Rings
  Not for all babies, we have used teething rings and kept them in the fridge when not in use. These worked well for some of our kids who totally clicked on to put it in their mouth, however they were just a good throwing thing for the others! Oh and don’t put the teething ring in the freezer that’s just asking for trouble.
• Rubbing the Gums
  Obviously make sure your hands are clean before trying this, but simply rubbing the gums can cerate enough pressure to ease their pain
• Food to chew on
  If your little one is eating solid food and maybe best for older babies. Try giving them things like a stick of cucumber or carrot from the fridge can be good for them to chew on, as its cool and rubbing on their gums, if you have a hungry baby prepare a good bowl full! Sainsburys do sell Bickiepegs which are Natural Teething Biscuits, we did try them they didn’t really work but I do know some parents that swear by them so up to you if you want to give them a try.
• Comforting a Teething Baby
  The art of Distraction, easier during the day that at night time, but often a good cuddle and play with toys can work a treat to taking their mind off the pain in their gums
• Teething Gels
  We have used these over the years with all our kids and found them a bit hit and miss depending on the child. We have used Dentinox Baby Teething Gel, Bonjela Teething Gel, Anbesol Teething Gel, Calgel Teething Gel (from Calpol) They all work well and as good as each other, so I’d say go for which one is available in the stores local to you and the cheapest as they all work to the same level, in our opinion.
• Herbal Remedies
  You need to be careful with some homeopathic medications that contain the pain reliever benzocaine or lidocaine as it can be harmful to your little one. One that you can trust, and we can confirm for sure works well is Ashton and Parsons infants powders. You simply put the powder slowly onto the front of your little one’s tongue. One thing to watch out for is they do have lactose in them, so watch out if your baby has intolerances. Also, Ashton and Parsons have brought out a Teething Gel that you might want to try as well
• Dry the Dribbling
  Excessive dribbling is part of teething, but its wise to either keep a bib on or cloth to hand to keep your baby’s skin dry and maybe even use a little moisturiser to safeguard them getting dry skin or irritated skin which in the long run could also cause them pain.
• Painkillers
  If the pain gets so bad, then you might want to try some over the counter painkillers such as liquid paracetamol or ibuprofen. This can often be a helpful solution at night time when teething seems to be at its worst

Register at a Dentist

Don’t forget its never too early to register your baby at a dentist. Taking your baby to a dentist can get them used to the sights, sounds and smells of a dentist so to ease any fears. It also give you a good chance to access to information, advice and support about looking after your child’s teeth.

In West Wales you can either join a private practice or find a local NHS Dentist, although in some areas spaces in NHS Dentists are not easy to come by, although children receive free treatment within private dentist practices. If you needing help to find a NHS Dentist below is West Wales NHS Dental Helpline numbers in case you need them, for our areas they are actually the same telephone numbers: –

Abertawe Bro Morgannwg (ABMUHB) Dental Helpline
Covers Bridgend, Neath Port Talbot and Swansea
(24 hours) telephone 0845 46 47

Hywel Dda and Powys Dental Helpline
Covers Carmarthenshire, Pembrokeshire, Ceredigion and Powys
(24 hours) telephone 0845 46 47

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