Oh the joys of teething. A natural beautiful part of life, minus the constant crying and screaming. It can be a pretty stressful time for both you and your baby. Although there is no magic cure for teething, teething rings and gels can help alleviate baby's discomfort and bring both you and your child a little peace and quiet.
The Five Signs of Teething
It will happen sooner or later, so why not be prepared. Be one step ahead, know the signs before they start.
# '''Drooling''': There's nothing cute about drooling no matter how young and adorable you are.
# '''Gnawing''': Ouch! Watch out for those gnawing gums. They can pinch!
# '''Crying''': I know what you're thinking, babies cry all the time; it's what they do. Well, believe it! They will be crying a whole lot more!
# '''Fasting''': Babies commonly do three things: eat, sleep, and poop. If they're not eating, you'll know something is up.
# '''Waking''': A good night's sleep, forget about it!
When Teething Begins
# Teething for most children usually begins at six months of age; however, it can begin any time between 3 months to 12 months of age.
# By the age of 3, your child will have all 20 primary teeth.
# The lower teeth usually come in first.
# The upper teeth usually start to come in 1 to 2 months after the lowers.
Coping Tips
# '''Use Something Cold''': Anything from the freezer (vegetables or ice lollies made from juice), and/or a wet wash cloth.
# '''Numb the Gums''': Frozen vegetables are a convenient and safe way to numb the gum area.
# '''Soothe and Calm Baby''': Teething can be at times more stressful than painful for your baby. Playing soft music or giving baby a massage are a couple of ways to ease your little one.
# '''Alleviate the Pain''': When home remedies are not enough, you may want to consider pain medication, but make sure to consult your child's doctor.
Teething Rings: To do or not to do
Do
* Keep liquid filled rings cool by placing them in the refrigerator.
* Wash ring after every use.
* Throw out immediately if the ring leaks or is damaged.
Don't
* NEVER put in the freezer! A big NO NO! A frozen ring may burst or crack open.
* NEVER put in the dishwasher or boil unless it specifically states that it is dishwasher safe.
* Sharing is great, but not when it comes to teething rings.
* Don't tie rings around baby's neck as this may cause strangulation.
* Avoid rings which have extra tiny parts. These small parts can break off and cause baby to choke.
