4 Ways to Soothe a Teething Baby So They Can Sleep

Most babies start teething when their first teeth begin erupting through their gums. It’s most known to cause distress for both the parents and the child because neither one can get the rest they need! After a long day at work or taking care of your child, the one thing all parents can appreciate is laying their head down on their pillow knowing their little one is asleep in the next room over, but that isn’t always possible if they’re fussy and in pain. Knowing what to expect during this process can make it a little easier, and with these four soothing techniques, you can help make teething more comfortable for your baby.

Giving Them Cold Items

Letting  your child chew on cold items can numb their gums, which could provide them with some relief related to teething. You can place a wet washcloth in the freezer for about 30 minutes and give it to them or give them cold food or drinks, like frozen fruit and slushy applesauce.

Placing Pressure on Their Gums

Applying a gentle, slight amount of pressure onto your baby’s gums can help counter pain and provide slight relief. All you need to do is rub your clean finger along their gums before their bedtime!

Over-the-Counter Medications

If you find that no other at-home remedies help your child feel better, you can always consult your pediatrician or dentist about appropriate over-the-counter medications they can have, like infant acetaminophen or infant ibuprofen. It’s best to avoid giving them aspirin, as it’s related to a rare condition called Reye’s syndrome.

Wipe Away Excess Drool

Drool can lead to the development of uncomfortable rashes that may make your baby’s fussiness even worse. To keep this from happening, be sure to wipe away any excess drool on their face and change their clothes when necessary to keep their skin from becoming moist and irritated.

What Else Could Cause Fussiness?

If your baby is fussy and you’re not entirely sure if it’s due to teething, it could be due to another common issue, called colic. Episodes of fussiness related to digestive issues and acid reflux that lead to inconsolable crying multiple days throughout the week for hours on end are a well-known battle for parents. However, what many parents don’t know is that colic often develops as a result of another underlying problem, called a lip or tongue-tie.

If you notice that your baby seems to cry for no apparent reason, is extremely fussy, experiences body tension, or often cries in the evenings, then it’s likely a good idea to have them examined by a lip and tongue-tie specialist. They can help determine whether their fussing is the result of this issue and even treat it with a short and simple procedure, called a frenectomy.

About the Author

Dr. Garcia-DeMartino is not only a parent herself, which really tunes her into listening to her patients and understanding what they’re going through, but she’s also a highly-trained dentist and lip and tongue-tie specialist. She attended the International World Clinical Laser Institute and became an expert in utilizing soft and hard tissue lasers to relieve babies’ discomfort associated with lip and tongue-ties through providing frenectomies. For questions or to schedule a consultation, visit her website or call 908-840-8399.