If your baby or younger child is teething, you know that it can be a difficult time. There are low grade fevers, excessive saliva production and drooling, and a general feeling of discomfort that can make your child irritable.
It is not an easy time for anyone involved. Do not lose hope! There are things you can do to help your child (and yourself) through this time! Let’s look at some of the ways you can ease the discomfort during this season.
DO DIFFERENT FOODS HELP?
When your child is teething, his or her gums are very tender, sore and may even become swollen. This can make eating difficult, to say the least. Choosing to feed your child softer foods during this time will not only ensure that they’re eating adequately, but the softer foods will be gentler on the gums. Try foods like avocado, mashed bananas, scrambled eggs and even baked sweet potatoes.
These nutrient rich foods will sustain your child as they go through this growth spurt. Chilled yogurt, applesauce or even a frozen fruit puree can also be soothing to the gums. The cold food will help ease some of the discomfort that your child is experiencing.
Avoid anything that is frozen solid, such as ice, frozen teething rings, or even a frozen washcloth. The extreme temperature of these items can damage the gums and cause more harm than good for your child.
If your child is showing an extreme need to chew, you can give them harder things to chew on, such as teething biscuits or chilled, harder vegetables. Use caution with these items and watch for your toddler to break off pieces that may be too big to eat.
When your child begins teething, it is the perfect time for you to call our office and schedule their first check-up. We look forward to seeing you soon!
