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As many parents can attest, an infant’s baby teeth making their debut through delicate pink gums is often accompanied by crying, fussing, and the child’s overall discomfort. According to the Mayo Clinic, most babies begin the natural process of teething at around 6 months old.
If your infant exhibits any of the following symptoms, it’s likely that teething is imminent:
- Chewing on solid objects
- Drooling
- Crankiness and irritability
- Swollen gums
- Loss of appetite
- Trouble sleeping
Here are some tips from the Mayo Clinic on how to soothe a teething baby:
- Always keep a clean cloth nearby to wipe your baby’s chin, to prevent skin irritation from excessive drooling.
- Rubbing your baby’s gum with a clean finger, damp washcloth, or moistened gauze pad can help to ease discomfort.
- A firm rubber teething ring could also help. Liquid-filled teething rings have been known to break under the pressure of chewing, however, so use caution when purchasing a teething ring.
- A cold washcloth could also be soothing (as could a chilled teething ring, but the Mayo Clinic warns against using frozen teething rings because the extreme cold could hurt your child’s gums rather than soothe the discomfort).
Has your baby’s pediatrician suggested a method for soothing a teething baby’s gums that didn’t make the list above? Join the conversation and share your tips on our Facebook page.
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