How to help a teething baby

Tricia Wanjala

Teething is a very normal process, but it can cause tremendous discomfort and consternation for baby. Many parents get very flustered because teething can sometimes be very upsetting for the baby, resulting in constant crying, irritability, and sometimes even diarrhea and fever. However some babies experience no discomfort at all, which is very fortunate for them and their parents. Once teething begins, it continues almost uninterrupted for two years, and children continue to have milk teeth until they are ten or eleven years old.

How do you know if your baby is teething? The most obvious sign is a lot of drooling and dribbling. Other symptoms might be possible nappy rash, irritability, white patches on gums and occasionally a drop of blood when the tooth appears. At the onset of teething baby suddenly starts to chew on everything. Breastfed babies who are teething may bite their mothers while feeding. This is a natural reaction to having sore gums, and it will stop with time if you simply react naturally – yelp with pain and take him off the breast, saying "No," in a firm voice.

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In general, what can be expected with the teething process? The time frame for the first teeth is anytime within the first year. Some babies are born with a tooth or two and yet others still have zero teeth by the end of their first year. According to the childcare book,"What to expect in the first year," by Sandee Hathaway et al, an average range for the first teeth is between three and six months. Dr Carol Cooper, author of Baby & Child Book agrees that on average, by six months the first tooth has appeared. Either way, parents must resist the tendency to compare one child with another, because they all go through these milestones at different times, even if they may be siblings. If you have any doubts about the timing, just check with your paediatrician, who will reassure you that your baby is fine.

Some parents are relieved by the delay because for some babies, cutting their first teeth can be horrendous. Some are in such discomfort they refuse to breastfeed or to bottle-feed. This is because the sucking motion exacerbates the pain and irritation they experience. Such a baby may perhaps be given milk through a cup or be spoon-fed until able to suck normally. If your baby experiences diarrhea it is vital to seek medical attention so as to avoid dehydration. Experts disagree on what pain-relievers to give for teething. Some doctors recommend paracetamol for babies older than six months, whereas others recommend that no medicine should be given. Teething powders are readily available in supermarkets and chemists. For those who prefer natural remedies, the homeopathic alternative chamomilla is helpful for teething pain.

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Either way, medication should only be given as a last resort. Practical ways to relieve sore and tender gums caused by teething are:

• Give your baby a clean, chilled teething ring (available in supermarkets)

• Use a clean, soft, wet cloth to clean and massage gums. Some babies enjoy chewing these cloths. Boil it and give to baby when it has cooled completely.

• Massage their gums with a clean finger to relieve the pressure

• Give your baby a clean cooled carrot to bite on. The hard texture seems to offer some relief to sore gums. Other finger foods include unsalted rice cakes, and teething biscuits. Supervise the child closely to avoid choking.

• Lastly, give your baby extra love and patience to help her through the teething process.