
When your babyâs first tooth comes in, youâre probably overjoyed and taking countless photos of your little cutie to forever capture the moment. Understandably, first-time parents have many questions about the life stages, including what teething and how to soothe their baby. Continue reading this article for the tips you need to know about your little one teething.
What Is Teething?
Teething is one of many life stages babies go through as they grow and their body develops. During this stage, their gums often become sore because their teeth need to grow through their gums. It can feel pretty uncomfortable for them.
Most babies begin teething anytime between 4 and 7 months old, but keep in mind that every baby is different. Typically, babies have all their teeth by the time theyâre 3 years old.
Common Signs of Teething
There are a few signs your baby may show as they begin teething to signify to you whatâs going on in their little body. Some infants become extra fussy, but others drool more than usual. Other signs of teething include:
- Increased desire to chew
- A shift in typical sleeping and eating patterns
- Red gums
If your baby seems fussier than usual, see if theyâre showing other signs of teething so you can rule out all possible causes. You should also verify that your baby isnât sick and that nothing else is wrong that may require a visit to the doctor. In the information below, weâve further detailed the typical signs of teething to make things easier for you.
Desire To Chew
One of the most common signs of teething is an increased desire to chew things. It may seem like your little one wants to bite on nearly everything they can get their hands on!
Change in Eating and Sleeping Patterns
This isnât to say that teething causes babies to eat and sleep less than normal, because that isnât accurate. Rather, infants may have a harder time staying asleep because teething feels highly uncomfortable. Think about the last time you felt sore. Was it easy to get cozy and drift off to sleep, or did it seem like no matter how hard you tried, you couldnât get comfortable?
Similarly, teething babies may display fewer signs of wanting to eat, but this doesnât mean they have a smaller appetite. Eating can feel uncomfortable with those tender gums, which decreases their desire to eat, but your baby is still hungry.
Red Gums and Drooling
Your babyâs gums may be red or appear swollen because the area is tender. Technically, drooling doesnât occur because of your babyâs teething, but rather due to the increased need for their salivary glands. Our saliva helps us chew and eat solid foods, which wasnât needed when your babyâs diet only consisted of breast milk and formula.
Soothing Tips for Your Baby
Now that weâve discussed what teething is and the common signs, letâs talk about how you can help your baby. While you canât eliminate the pains of teething, there are a few ways for you to help your little cutie feel a bit better. Some of these soothing tips include:
- Gum massages
- Investing in teethers
- Feed them frozen and soft foods
Gum Massages
Who doesnât love a nice massage? Massaging your babyâs gums can help ease the soreness your baby feels as its teeth grow. Just remember to wash your hands before gently rubbing their gums.
Invest in Teethers
Every baby needs a great teether that they can gnaw on for some gum relief. Although these come in various shapes, sizes, and materials, itâs best to buy a silicone teether. This is because, unlike other materials, silicone doesnât harbor bacteria and is hypoallergenic. So, not only is it more sanitaryâa key characteristic for something going into your babyâs mouthâbut itâs also less likely to cause an allergic reaction.
The shape of the teether is also vital, as it should be easy for your little one to grab and hold onto it independently. As cute as some of your teether options may be, if they are oddly shaped or seems like they could pose a choking hazard, theyâre not worth it. Remember, teethers arenât toys, and parents should never treat them as such.
Buy Top-Quality
Ryan & Rose sells solo teethers and two-in-one teethers that are pacifiers on the other end. With essentials like this, youâll always have the comfort items needed to keep your little cutie happy and soothed. Ryan & Rose also sells cute pacifier clips that you can use to keep their pacifier or teether clipped to their clothing, stroller, or anything in between!
Frozen and Soft Foods
When your baby starts teething, they may not want to eat certain foods, specifically those that are harder on their gums. A growing infant needs to eat, so try feeding them mashed fruits, yogurt, eggs, or other soft foods. Some parents also freeze foods like yogurt so their baby can suck on it to get the comfort they desire
Parenting Tip
Keep in mind that a fever above 101 degrees Fahrenheit is not normal, nor is diarrhea or non-stop crying. If your little cutie displays these symptoms, bring them to the doctor to ensure they arenât sick.
By paying close attention, caring for your baby becomes easier. After all, they canât speak just yet, so you have to rely on their physical cues to determine whatâs causing their discomfort. At Ryan & Rose, youâll find all sorts of teething and other baby essentials you need, designed with a babyâs preferences in mind.
