Teething troubles? A few quick fixes.

by | Dec 8, 2010 | Dadhood

Suddenly your newborn has given up its one week of sleeping through the night. They are grouchy, won’t go down at lunchtimes, drool constantly, cry for no reason, but also have the rosiest of rosy red cheeks.

All these could be signs your newborn is teething.

The aches and pains can start months before the teeth start breaking through and finish just in time for them to leave home (by which point they’ll be medicating with alco-pops and recreational drugs anyway, so no worries).

If you’re stuck try these simple remedies:

Calpol: Paracetemol for babies. It’s safe to use up to two times a day before three months and four times a day after (you can use baby ibuprofen for up to 24 hours but GPs recommend paracetamol as it is less harmful to young kidneys). Reviews.

Ashton & Parsons powders: Give one powder an hour. A simple herbal camomile, non-toxic, can be used repeatedly, some swear by it. Reviews.

Calgel/Bonjela /Anbesol: Rub a little on a clean finger, a dummy/pacifier, teething ring and apply to troubled area. Avoid any that contain choline salicylate as this has been linked to Reyes Syndrome.

Cold Compress:

  • Put a teething ring or dummy in the fridge or freezer and let them chew on it. The cold helps numb the pain.
  • If you live in a wintry environment you could try taking them out in a carrier and letting them breathe in the cool air too.
  • Another home remedy some father’s swear by is to place a flannel in pre-boiled water that’s cooled in the fridge. The coolness helps the pain and the liquid replaces the fluid from drooling so much.

Movement and distraction: sometimes your baby just won’t settle and you may need to walk them in a carrier, push them in a pram or stroller, or take them for a drive. Hanging out with other people, singing songs, playing games can all help to distract them too.

I find all of the above work to a greater or lesser degree and the pain – as well as the crying – should subside within an hour to a few hours, if not try ear defenders.

If they can take the edge off a pneumatic drill they might just work on your bundle of joy too.

Let me know what works for you.

Facebooktwitterredditpinterestlinkedinmailby feather