Is your baby cutting its first teeth? That’s a very special milestone! You’re probably super excited when you see that first tooth making its appearance. Maybe you were already expecting it, because your baby may have already experienced some symptoms before that first tooth actually breaks through. And these symptoms are not always fun. We are happy to offer you some first aid tips for teething, to ensure that this period is as pleasant as possible for you and your baby!
How can you tell if your baby is teething?
You may not see white dots piercing the gums yet, but you can tell by other things that the time has come. Your little one may grab everything within his/her reach to chew on. Your child may also be rubbing their face a lot or be prone to crying a lot. Getting those first teeth can certainly be painful!
It is also possible for your baby to get a little sick. It might even run a fever. The teeth naturally create openings in the gums, making your child more susceptible to pathogens. An increased propensity for diarrhea is also often noted during this period. This can all cause your child to need a little more attention. Which makes sense! Lavishing that extra bit of tender loving care on your baby certain helps in those moments.
What can you do to help your baby?
In addition to some extra attention and soothing, you can do even more to help your baby through this period:
- The teether ring! This is perhaps the most well-known remedy for teething pain. Your baby already likes to bite on everything it can lay its hands on; so, rather give them a teether ring. This also prevents your baby from hurting himself or herself. Nowadays, there are even cold rings available. The coldness of the teether soothes the pain. However, never put a teether in the freezer as a frozen teether may cause your baby to suffer frostbite!
- Gently massage your baby’s gums. For some babies, this is a very enjoyable sensation!
- Feed your child some cold food. Here, too, the general rule applies: the cool or cold sensation alleviates pain. Also make sure that the food you give your baby is not too hot, because the gums are now extra sensitive to heat.
- Do none of these tips work for you? Then you may decide to give a painkiller. However, make sure to discuss it first with your family doctor. There are also various creams on the market that can relieve pain. Always read the package leaflet carefully!
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How long does it take for your child to have all its teeth?
It may sound as if your baby has to cope with teething problems only for a rather short period of time. Unfortunately, that’s not the case. Babies’ first teeth come through when they are between 4 and 7 months old. But it is not until the age of 3 years that your child will have all his or her baby teeth! Your baby mainly suffers when the first teeth come out, but associated ailments can still recur even at later stages.
