Teething Tips and Tricks

If you've raised children then I'm pretty sure you've dealt with teething. It can be a nightmare at times. But there are some things you can do to alleviate the pain for both the child who is teething and the parents who have to care for the child.

First I'll start off with the symptoms of a typical teething child. I want to warn you that some babies do these things even when they aren't teething (especially the drool and crankiness). My daughter has been drooling since she was 3 months old and still doesn't have a tooth (at 9 months). Every child is different. And always remember to consult your pediatrician when using medicines with your child to insure proper dosage.

Classic signs and symptoms of teething often include:
  • Drooling, which may begin about two months before the first tooth appears
  • Irritability or crankiness
  • Swollen gums
  • Chewing on solid objects
  • Waking more frequently at night
Now that we've gone over the symptoms, what's the best way to soothe sore gums? If your teething baby seems uncomfortable, consider these simple tips:

Rub your baby's gums.
Use a clean finger, moistened gauze pad or damp washcloth to massage your baby's gums. The pressure can ease your baby's discomfort. My daughter loves when I take a frozen wash cloth and use my finger to rub it all over her gums. The massage helps alleviate her pain an sometimes I catch her grabbing a washcloth and trying to use it herself.

Offer a teething ring.
Try one made of firm rubber. My children both thoroughly enjoyed these Vulli teething rings and Sophie the Giraffe as well. The liquid-filled variety of teething rings may break under the pressure of your baby's chewing. If a bottle seems to do the trick, fill it with water. Prolonged contact with sugar from formula, milk or juice may cause tooth decay.

And if you are on the go, I highly suggest investing in a few pieces of Smart Mom Teething Bling. I own a pendant necklace and a bangle bracelet and love both. My son and daughter use them not only for teething but as entertainment when we're in the store, out to dinner or simply going on a car ride. I'm surprised with how much my kids love these items especially because the jewlery is so cute. 

Keep it cool.
A cold washcloth or chilled teething ring can be soothing. Don't give your baby a frozen teething ring, however. Contact with extreme cold may hurt, doing your baby more harm than good. If your baby's eating solid foods, offer cold items such as applesauce or yogurt.

One of the best things I've found to use for my teething infants is the use of a mesh feeder filled with frozen fruits. My son especially loved frozen melon in his mesh feeder. He would quickly get sick of his cold teething rings and this feeder would save my sanity some nights.

Dry the drool. 
Excessive drooling is part of the teething process. To prevent rashes and possible break outs, keep a clean cloth handy to dry your baby's chin. You might also make sure your baby sleeps on an absorbent sheet.

Try an over-the-counter remedy.
If your baby is especially cranky, acetaminophen (Tylenol, others) or ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin, others) may help. I've had good luck with Hylands teething tablets and an amber necklace as well if you are looking for more homeopathic routes. I've also heard great reviews for Boiron's Camila product and have some to use once my daughter starts teething (if she ever does!).

Don't give your baby products that contain aspirin, however, and be cautious about teething medications that can be rubbed directly on a baby's gums. The medication may be washed away by your baby's saliva before it has the chance to do any good — and too much of the medication may numb your baby's throat, which may interfere with his or her normal gag reflex.


*** Giveaway Closed ***

Would you like the chance to win a Smart Mom teething necklace for yourself or another mama? Well you're in luck! I have two necklaces (yes, two winners!) to giveaway and it is very simple to enter.

I was given two Smart Mom Teething Bling necklaces during the weekend of BlogHer'11 and instead of keeping these cute necklaces for myself I've decided to give them away to two lucky readers. The first name I draw will get her choice between the Bronze Donut Shaped Pendant (which is currently out of stock on Smart Mom's website... lucky you!) and the Brown Snowflake Pendant.

What do you have to do to win?

1. Simply leave a comment on this post telling me which color you'd like!

Want another entry?

2. Follow me on GFC or Networked Blogs and tell me you follow!

It's that simple! You don't have to like me on facebook or follow me on twitter. Although if you want to, that's cool! I always love meeting new people. And I am going to be doing a few giveaways through the end of the year including a very large one in December so it's always best to stay connected.

Want to buy some Smart Mom Jewelry for yourself? Go check them out on their website. They have an awesome selection at affordable prices and I love their colors! You can even grab a bangle to match your necklace. My daughter cannot stop playing with my bangle. She practically demands that I take it off when I'm with her.

See what my daughter is playing with?

Disclaimer: This giveaway is not sponsored by Smart Mom Jewelry. I was given these teething necklaces during Blogher '11 weekend from a Smart Mom sponsored blogger and in order to spread the love I've decided to give them away to two of my readers instead of keeping them for myself. Smart Mom did not contact me directly to do a giveaway and I will be personally shipping the necklaces to the winners.

Sources: The Mayo Clinic, Kelly Mom, Ask Dr. Sears

45 comment(s) with love:

Shay said... Reply To This Comment

Oh I'd love the bronze one! The teething monster is starting to visit us.

Sara said... Reply To This Comment

Both are pretty, but I love the brown snowflake! My littlest one is almost 6 months old and no teeth yet, so the necklace will come in very handy soon! :)

HappyMommy said... Reply To This Comment

I'd love the brown snowflake :)

becky s said... Reply To This Comment

I like both. Not picky. Also? So what we need, like RIGHT now. As I've mentioned on FB a gazillion times. :D

Emma B. said... Reply To This Comment

Love the bronze one!

Katie said... Reply To This Comment

Love the Brown Snowflake Pendant!

Katie (MrsKap)

Anonymous said... Reply To This Comment

I would Love the Brown Snowflake Pendant! Much better and safer for baby than chewing on momma's regular necklace.


Chaleigh (CD forum)

Marissa said... Reply To This Comment

I love the brown snowflake one - although they are both pretty! We could really use this right now. Pinga has her mouth in everything lately!

Dawn-in-tx said... Reply To This Comment

I would love either... either would find a happy home with my newly adopted child

Dawn said... Reply To This Comment

brown one :)

Kim said... Reply To This Comment

Tough choice but I think I like the bronze better!

Kim said... Reply To This Comment

I'm following you through GFC!

HIP_M0M said... Reply To This Comment

I would love the brown snowflake pendant for my little teether!

HIP_M0M said... Reply To This Comment

Oh, and I started following you through Networked Blogs ANd Google friend connect!

Denise E said... Reply To This Comment

I like them both but would love the brown snowflake! Teething has officially started with our little girl!! She loves to play with my necklace while eating so I know she'd love chewing on this, too! :)

J. said... Reply To This Comment

The bronze teething ring is very cute!

San Diego Ray Family said... Reply To This Comment

I would love to win the Brown Snowflake Pendant for one of my preggo friends! She would love it for her little "baby cake" as I am fondly calling him/her.

Josefine said... Reply To This Comment

I would love the bronze. We are dealing with teething right now!

Josefine said... Reply To This Comment

I follow you on GFC.

Sara said... Reply To This Comment

I LOVE the Brown Flake one!

Tracy said... Reply To This Comment

How very cool! I love the brown snoflake.

Tracy said... Reply To This Comment

And I'm following you on GFC. Thanks!

Mara said... Reply To This Comment

I'd love the bronze one!!

Mrs. Soup said... Reply To This Comment

If this would stop Owen from chewing on my shoulder, I wouldn't care what color it was!

Kristin Anderson said... Reply To This Comment

Oooh, pretty! I love love love the brown snoflake one!

bdschad said... Reply To This Comment

I love the brown snowflake one!

bdschad at comcast dot net

bdschad said... Reply To This Comment

I follow your blog on GFC

bdschad at comcast dot net

Stardust said... Reply To This Comment

Hi Danielle!

Would love either teething necklace- could certainly use them right now.

But if I have to choose.... I'd say... bronze.

Kari R.
journeykit@aol.com

Little Mama Meow said... Reply To This Comment

Id love the bronze teething necklace, my little one is 4 months and it could really come in handy

littlemamameow at gmail dot com

Little Mama Meow said... Reply To This Comment

GFC follower- Littlemamameow

Littlemamameow at gmail dot com

Kelsey Apley said... Reply To This Comment

Love the Brown Snowflake!

kelseylouiseapley {at} gmail {dot} com

dailymom said... Reply To This Comment

I like them both, but maybe like the brown a little more
Heididaily at gmail dot com

dailymom said... Reply To This Comment

I follow via gfc heidi daily
Heididaily at gmail dot com

Nancy said... Reply To This Comment

I would love the brown one!

MommyMandi said... Reply To This Comment

I would choose the Brown Snowflake Pendant.

Mandinav (at) aol (dot) com

MommyMandi said... Reply To This Comment

I follow via GFC as Mandi Eschenbach

Amanda said... Reply To This Comment

I would love to win the bronze one! Cute :)

Beth said... Reply To This Comment

loving the brown snowflake one!
jacobsonbeth at yahoo dot com

Heather R said... Reply To This Comment

I would love to have the Bronze color!

thransom(at)gmail.com

Heather R said... Reply To This Comment

I follow your blog via GFC

thransom(at)gmail.com

Katie said... Reply To This Comment

I would love either, but I really like the Brown Snowflake Pendant.

Katie said... Reply To This Comment

I follow you on GFC!

Toni Keltner said... Reply To This Comment

I'm hoping 5pm is PST. :) I would love either one! They're gorgeous!
keltner021403@yahoo.com

Toni Keltner said... Reply To This Comment

I'm now following you via GFC!
keltner021403@yahoo.com

Toni Keltner said... Reply To This Comment

I'm now following you via Networked Blogs.
keltner021403@yahoo.com