Tips to help your baby through teething

One moment your little one is happy and playful, and at the next they’re teary – It can be hard to know what to do to help your child as they are cutting their new teeth, but also for yourself because it can be distressing for both child and parent during the teething months.

If your little one is teething; how you can help them

• Give them something cold to chew on, like a clean teething ring or a sterilised teething toy. Frozen teething rings can injure a baby’s gums so don’t freeze them. They can also present a choking hazard so don’t put them around your little one’s neck
• Give your baby a cold bottle of water or milk. This can help replenish any fluids lost from excess dribbling
• If your baby’s dribbling is causing sore skin, redness or a rash, keep the area dry and apply a barrier cream to protect and soothe the skin
• Massage their gums with a clean and cool finger
• Brush their teeth with toothpaste as soon as they appear as this will help keep them clean
• Sign your child up with a dentist
• Why not try Teetha® teething gel or Teetha® teething granules. A homeopathic medicinal product used within the homeopathic tradition for the symptomatic relief of teething pain and the symptoms associated with teething which are sore and tender gums, flushed cheeks and dribbling. Always read the label.

How to get through those challenging teething times

Now let’s talk about you and your needs, because a healthy baby thrives when their parents thrive! There may be some feelings of frustration and powerlessness but this is normal, it’s not always easy to see your child as cutting their new teeth – but it’s completely natural and, in time, it will all be behind you.

Here are some tips to help you

Don’t take it personally

This is a common-sense tip but one that can be easy to forget. Many a new parent can sometimes feel responsible, or even at fault, if their child is feeling the effects of teething and don’t know what to do. Remember it’s natural, and temporary.

Try meditation

Mindfulness meditation can often help people manage stressful times better. If you can find 10 minutes a day while your little one is sleeping, give it a try. All you need to do is sit with your eyes closed and pay attention to your breath. Inevitably, your attention will leave the breath and wander to other places. Don’t worry. There’s no need to block or eliminate thinking. When you get around to noticing your mind wandering - in a few seconds, a minute - just gently return your attention to the breath.

Schedule some ‘me time’

A great way to recharge from the challenges of a teething baby is to take time out for the things that make you happy. Do you like to write or draw? Do you love to go dancing with the girls, or out with the boys? Whatever you need to do to relax, take some time out and do it. Everyone will benefit when you are feeling great. And besides, what’s the point of having friends and family if they can’t babysit every so often?

Enjoy the good times

You might feel like the crying won’t stop – but every now and again there will be a moment of peace. Enjoy it, play with your little one and take the time to relax – before it begins again!