Teething: Keeping Your Child Comfortable

Teething is one of the most heartbreaking experiences for parents, because they hate to see their child suffer. All children begin to grow teeth, however, so this is an unavoidable experience. Knowing how to keep your child comfortable will help to make teething easier.

Most children begin teething when they reach five months of age, though it can occur as early as two months or as late as twelve months. The entire process can last from one to three years, and by your child's third birthday, he or she should have between eighteen and twenty-two teeth. The in-between process, which the teeth are pushing through the gums, is the most difficult.

Teething is an uncomfortable experience because babies' gums are tender before they begin teething. As the new teeth begin to poke through the surface of the gum, the child may experience mild discomfort or even severe pain. Depending on how many teeth begin to emerge at once, the symptoms may vary. As a parent, however, you should know that there are things you can do to make your child more comfortable, and to lessen the symptoms associated with teething.

There are very few secondary problems that arise from teething. Your child should not experience vomiting, diarrhea, or diaper rash during the teething process. However, drooling, irritability, and loss of appetite are common symptoms, and your child may experience a low-grade fever of 99-99.5 degrees.

Sleep deprivation is not common, but it can become an issue. The only thing that parents can do is try to keep their children as comfortable as possible. Children respond best to the following suggestions, and it helps to vary each from day-to-day. If your child is cranky and shows no interest in any of these suggestions, it is often best to let him or her sleep or watch television until the pain subsides. If you are ever in doubt, you should call your family physician to be advised in the best course of action.

1. Rub the gum. Wash your hands and gently, slowly rub your child's gums with your finger. Do this for two minutes after hour, or as needed.

2. Wet a washcloth. Put it in the freezer for twenty-to-thirty minutes and then let your child chew on it until it begins to melt.

3. Teething rings. Some children prefer cold teething rings, while others cannot handle the extreme temperature. Smooth, hard teething rings in varying colors work the best.

4. Popsicles. Cut a popsicle into small pieces and feed each piece to your child. This will help to numb the gums. Frozen bananas are another favorite.

5. Acetaminophen. Call your doctor for dosage suggestions before administering any medicine to your child. Benadryl may also be administered before bedtime to help with sleep deprivation from teething.

Some mothers may want to discontinue breast feeding once teething begins. With the pain from teething, it may be difficult for a child to suck from a nipple, and it may be wise to begin drinking from a cup. If this is not an option, feeding may take longer than usual, and your child may not want to drink as much as usual.

Infections are uncommon during teething, but if you begin to notice swollen gums or bloody gums, or pus-filled postules on the gums, it is best to consult a doctor.