Teething

Teething baby? 

Its another of those special milestones and babys first tooth is a great sign of their continual development that we look forward to seeing, but teething can sometimes be a challenging time for both parent and baby. Baby teeth can come through without pain or discomfort but often children will experience some symptoms in varying degrees. 

 

According to the NHS website:

You may notice more drooling then normal, sore or red gums where the tooth is emerging, flushed cheeks or a rash on the cheeks.

Some children also experience discomfort whilst teething which could present itself in a number of ways including gnawing or chewing on things a lot. Your child may be more fretful and have disrupted sleep.

All children are different, 'Some babies are born with their first teeth. Others start teething before they are 4 months old, and some after 12 months. But most babies start teething at around 6 months.' 

 

It can be very frustrating to see your little ones in discomfort if they are finding teething difficult, but fortunately there are lots of things you can do to help, and remember they wont be going through it forever.

Here Ive put together a short list of things you may find helpful to support your baby whilst they are teething. 

Teething toys:

Teething toys can be a great idea if your little one is really struggling. There are so many to choose from so you can pick something that works for them. Whether it be one that doubles as a toy, attaches to the pram or goes in the fridge to keep cool. It may be an idea to have more then one handy though in case it gets dropped or lost.   

Bibs:

Bibs are often very important for most teething children. During the teething process, many children produce a lot of extra saliva, causing them to dribble a lot more. Any absorbent bib will work, but these fleece backed bibs give an extra layer of absorbency and are nice and soft on the neck area. 

You can get regular dribble bibs or dribble bibs with a teething chew attached so it doesn't get lost or dropped. We found these especially handy for our children when they were teething, particularly when we were out and about.

Feeding and dummies:

Breast feeding can be challenging when teething. It can be painful and frustrating if your little one nips you whilst feeding. There are lots of tips here on how to cope with this and help teach you baby not to bite you. Teething children will probably bite and chew on their dummies and bottles as well if they have them. Make sure you are regularly checking for any holes or splits in them and throw them away if you see any as they could become a choking hazard.

Finding things difficult?:

Having children isn't always a walk in the park, if your child is finding it particularly hard, it may be both of you who are struggling. If you feel overwhelmed, try putting your baby down in a safe place such as a pram or cot and step outside for a 5 minute breather. Or ask trusted family and friends if they are able to take your baby for an hour so you can have a break.

For extra support, try reaching out to your local childrens centre for advice. I have also put some links for websites I think may be helpful. 

Talk to someone via telephone, email or chat on the Family Lives website for help at all stages of parenting. Or follow the NCT new parent support link for loads of helpful blogs and advice on parenting new and young children.

Babies don't come with a manual and its OK to ask for help, guidance and support.

I hope this has given you a few helpful tips. Its important to remember, you know your child best and if you think something is wrong, seek immediate medical help. Its better to be over cautious if you are ever unsure. 

With Love,

Rainbow Nation.

XXX