Simple and Effective Teething Relief Ideas

Babies can become very cranky and fussy when they start teething. This is quite understandable, since they are bound to experience considerable pain and discomfort at this time. So, what can you do to alleviate the pain and ease the discomfort? Following are simple yet effective guidelines on what to do and what not to do in your efforts to find the perfect teething relief.

Probably the least expensive option is the act of cooling or freezing a washcloth and letting your baby chew on it. Some moms dip the cloth in chamomile tea before cooling it since chamomile has very effective anti-inflammatory properties. Another option you can try is the ice cube remedy. Simply wrap ice cubes in a hanky, secure it and crush the cubes. You can even freeze breast milk or chamomile tea into ice cubes for this purpose.

The oldest teething relief option that still proves to be one of the favourites is the wooden toy or teething ring. Unfinished wood is best for this purpose because it does not have any harmful chemicals. Just make sure that the toy or ring you buy is small enough for your baby to grasp easily, but large enough for him not to swallow. For a healthy option, you can place frozen fruits in mesh feeders to soothe your baby’s sore gums. You may also use large pieces of frozen carrots or celery.

Now, in relieving your baby from the pain that comes with teething, you also need to beware of some unsafe practices and make sure to avoid them. First of all, limit usage of relief gel because too much use of this tend to weaken a baby’s gag reflex, which is very important, as it keeps your little one from choking on his own saliva. Be careful as well not to rub your baby’s gums with alcohol. His gums are very sensitive and the alcohol won’t do anything to help anyway.

Furthermore, do not dip a pacifier in honey because this can lead to your baby expecting the sweet taste everything you give him a pacifier. And if your baby already has a few teeth, the sugar in honey can cause early decay in them. Finally, you should never tie a teething ring around your baby’s neck in order to avoid the risk of strangulation. After all, the ring is meant to be a teething relief and not a health hazard.