Teething Tips for Babies

When my son was teething, he was a picky customer. We tried many of the common remedies with no effect. I later found out that this wasn't unusual - what helps one baby's sore gums may not work on another. While I eventually found what worked for my son, I am aware that many parents out there don't know how many options there really are when it comes to soothing a teething baby. While I don't profess to know all of them, I do know quite a few that I have seen work, either on my son or someone else's precious little one.

First of all there's the old classic, a frozen washcloth. Just wet a baby washcloth, squeeze out the excess water, and then place it on a plate in your freezer. Once frozen, give it to your baby. The textured feeling of the cloth and the cold temperature helps to soothe sore, swollen gums.

Then there's a personal favorite of mine, a frozen pacifier. This especially comes in handy for babies that are teething but are still too young to hold any other teething toys. Take a vented pacifier and dip it in to a glass or bowl of water. Squeeze the bulb of the pacifier, then release it. Water should fill the bulb of the pacifier now. Place some tin foil over the top of a container, then punch a hole in the tin foil large enough to allow the bulb of the pacifier to squeeze through but small enough to prevent the rest of the pacifier from falling through. Place the bulb of the pacifier in the hole in the tin foil, then place the container in the freezer and let it freeze. After freezing give the pacifier to your baby. This is basically like a variation of a teething toy, only this will be frozen and won't have a textured surface.

There's also teething toys, of course. These vary in shape and size, from large round rings to small animal shapes. With these you will more than likely find that your baby prefers some shapes and sizes to others, so don't give up if your baby doesn't take to a particular one. Just try out a different size and/or shape. Chances are you will eventually hit on one your baby likes.

One of the most surefire ways to soothe a cranky baby that's in pain from teething is by using teething drops or tablets. These can be purchased over the counter at your local pharmacy. They're homeopathic remedies for teething babies, and I have found them quite effective at soothing a baby when nothing else is working.

One very little thought of but efficient teething toy is a leather belt. While this may sound strange, I have yet to see a baby that did not like it as a teething toy. I believe it may have something to do with the fact that leather is like skin - soft, pliable, yet firm. Which brings us to another baby favorite when it comes to teething toys...

... your fingers. These are probably the best teething toys around for your little one. They're soft enough to prevent causing any further pain or discomfort yet firm enough to place just the right amount of pressure on your baby's gums. You can also give your baby a gum massage with your fingers, which is sure to be greatly appreciated by your little one.

I hope these tips help you to find exactly what works to soothe your baby's sore gums. If nothing else works, relax - the worst is soon to be over, as most babies do not have many issues until they're on the edge of cutting a new tooth. Good luck and congratulations on your new little bundle of joy!