Easing your baby’s teething pains

[11 August 2010 - 09h22]

Are your baby’s cheeks red? Is he grumpy? Teething – that inevitable stage in every infant’s life – can be extremely painful. There is a special gel readily available from pharmacies that can help calm your baby down.

It is a form of local anaesthetic and is, of course, alcohol free. In fact this gel performs the same role as a teething ring filled with water. This too can bring effective relief, especially if you put it in the fridge before giving it to your baby to chew on.

But what if you don’t want to use a teething ring because it looks too much like a dummy? You could always try the “frozen banana” option. On prolonged contact with the mouth, the flesh of the banana starts to thaw and the cold sooths the baby’s gums. But remember to keep a close eye on your little one – you will need to remove the banana before it turns into a complete mush!

You could also try mixing two tablespoonfuls of vegetable oil with one or two drops of essential oil of clove. Mix these together and then test this on your own gums to check that the clove oil is not too strong. If it is, just add a little more oil. Then gently rub this on your baby’s gums. This mixture will ease the pain. Another remedy is to pour a little camomile oil on a piece of cotton wool and dab your baby’s gums with it.

There’s also the psychological approach … Try distracting your baby from the pain. Try cuddling him, take him out for a walk or play a game so that he thinks about something else. This will help you get through this difficult stage. Just one thing, however: if your baby has a high temperature, seek advice from your doctor.

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