If your baby seems to be more restless, a little more likely to drool and much more prone to biting things than usual may be popping his teeth. The teething process begins for babies 3 to 12 months old and causes pain, tenderness of the gums to your little one. There are many foods that can help alleviate your baby’s discomfort, but you know your child’s diet better than anyone else, so be sure to keep food appropriate for the teething age.
Keep it cool
Regardless of the type of food you give your baby to help you through the process of teething, keeping cold food helps relieve gum pain. Before giving your baby anything to eat or chew, cool until cool to the touch. Avoid freezing teething aids for your babies, however, as extreme cold can damage your baby’s gums. Cool them, whether edible or non-edible, in the refrigerator of your house.
Solid
If your baby eats solid foods, try giving her a fruit or vegetable that is safe for gnawing without drowning, such as a large whole carrot or a peeled, refrigerated cucumber. Teething cookies can also help, depending on the comfort of your baby and the level of safety with the hardest solid foods. If you give your baby solid cold, watch it while chewing; broken pieces of food when chewed can put your child at risk of suffocation if not under careful supervision.
Other meals
If your baby eats soft foods, chill them before feeding to help ease teething pain. Chilled yogurt, banana puree, applesauce and other fruit purées and fruit jams are good allies. Although towels are not edible, wrapping an ice cube in a clean cloth and gently rubbing it on your baby’s gums for a few minutes helps relieve the pain. Avoid using the ice cubes directly on the gums, however, as it could be too cold.
Things to consider
Acetaminophen and ibuprofen to relieve pain and homeopathic teething tablets may also help relieve gum pain, but avoid benzocaine products, as they may, on rare occasions, cause blood-related health complications in the babies. Consult your doctor before administering painkillers, even over-the-counter variety. Avoid rubbing brandy, whiskey or any other type of alcohol on your baby’s gums.