| Teething babies are often a parent's worst | | | | If you have a water bottle with a pop cap lid on |
| nightmare. It is incredibly difficult to calm a child | | | | it, this can be used as an effective chewing toy |
| and provide relief from the pain of teething. It is | | | | for your child too. You can either partially freeze |
| possible to treat the pain your child experiences | | | | the water in the bottle or keep it in the |
| with simple home remedies without the use of | | | | refrigerator to stay as cool as possible. This will |
| medications and numbing creams. | | | | provide a bit of comfort to your child's gums by |
| Medications that contain pain relievers are simply | | | | providing a semi-hard surface to chew on while |
| not effective in the type of pain your child | | | | providing a cooling and numbing affect. Make sure |
| experiences from teething. Numbing creams can | | | | that you don't use a plastic bottle that has a |
| cause allergic reactions and can only be used in | | | | screw on or otherwise removable cap. This can |
| limited doses. Numbing creams provide immediate | | | | pose a choking hazard for your child if he |
| relief from the pain but quickly wear off. Applying | | | | manages to remove the top. Squeeze bottles |
| multiple doses greater than the recommended | | | | that have pop-up and pop-down lids are much |
| times can put your child's health in danger. There | | | | safer. |
| are other options that are safer and can treat the | | | | Apple Slices |
| pain of teething without unnecessary medications. | | | | An apple slice from a firm, crunchy apple is also a |
| Hard Objects for Chewing | | | | good item to use for teething pain. Be sure to |
| Any safe, hard object that your child can hold and | | | | supervise your child with this to prevent choking |
| chew on will provide relief from the pain of | | | | and make sure the apple is firm and not too soft. |
| teething. Different children prefer differing | | | | Most children enjoy the taste of apples and apple |
| "hardnesses". Biscuits and cookies are one level of | | | | juice so this is a flavorful option too. If the apple |
| hardness that begin to soften as your child chews | | | | is chilled it will also help soothe the gums. |
| on them. They are also tasty so your child may | | | | Cold Wash Cloth Massage |
| enjoy the flavor of them. Other non-food items | | | | Take a wash cloth and wet it with cool water |
| can include anything from plastic blocks, plastic toy | | | | from the tap or in a bowl filled with ice water. |
| keys, or even the tops of sippy cups. Make sure | | | | Wring out the excess water and wrap the cloth |
| that whatever you give your child to chew is not | | | | around your finger. Gently massage your child's |
| something that poses a choking hazard. Toys | | | | gums with the cloth and apply a slight pressure. |
| should be age appropriate to prevent this from | | | | Also allow your child to gently bite and gnaw on |
| happening. | | | | the cloth. This remedy is very safe and effective, |
| Teething Rings | | | | but be careful not to apply too much pressure or |
| Teething rings are available in any store that sells | | | | rub the cloth too vigorously to prevent irritation |
| baby items. Many different varieties are available | | | | to the gums. |
| too. Some are soft liquid filled rings which can be | | | | Teething babies are certainly a challenge but with |
| frozen or chilled, some are hard plastic. An | | | | simple home remedies you can provide your child |
| alternative to commercially made teething rings is | | | | with safe and effective relief. Medications can be |
| to create your own from a wash cloth. Roll a | | | | avoided which in turn prevent side effects and |
| wash cloth up and soak it in water. Then freeze | | | | other problems associated with the chemicals |
| the cloth in the freezer until it is hardened. You | | | | present in medicines. When your baby is |
| can then give this to your child to chew on. The | | | | comforted, he is calmer and more relaxed. This |
| terry-cloth of the cloth is also soothing as it gently | | | | allows you to be calmer and relaxed as well so |
| massages your child's gums while he chews on it. | | | | you can enjoy your time with your baby. |
| Water Bottles | | | | |