A teething baby can be frustrating for many parents as the incessant crying, gnawing on objects and late night fevers and restlessness are a constant disruption. Teething is a natural part of baby’s development and between the year one and 3 years of age, the emerging milk teeth will result in many instances of sleepless nights and bitten fingers.
Identifying the signs of teething even before the tiny ‘buds’ are clearly visible will allow you to take appropriate action to ease the infant’s pain and discomfort.
Symptoms of Teething in Babies
- Constant gnawing and rubbing of gum on objects and body parts.
- Irritability and restlessness, capriciousness – wanting to be carried and pacified. This can be very difficult behavior to contend with in toddlers.
- Change in appetite, usually a loss of appetite.
- Loose watery stool or even full blown diarrhea and gas that may appear as colic.
- Fever especially at night or when asleep
- Skin rash
Treatment & Management of Teething
- Paracetamol syrup reduces gum inflammation and pain caused by the tooth breaking through gum tissue.
- Teething powders contain a combination of paracetamol and low doses of topical anesthetics to numb the gum.
- Teething biscuits and teething toys may help reduce baby’s frustration and provide some relief to the gum irritation.
- Traditional home remedies for baby’s teething is not always advisable. Rubbing brandy on the gums, giving baby a dose of a honey-brandy mix or using spices such as clove may provide temporary relief but the potential side effects of using these home remedies on babies has not been ascertained. More importantly, it may aggravate some of baby’s teething symptoms like diarrhea.
Natural Treatment for Teething
- Homeopathic remedies like Marticaria chamomilla 6CH to 30CH may relieve many symptoms associated with teething including restlessness, diarrhea, pain and fevers.
- Homeopathic remedies like Arnica montana 6CH to 30 CH may assist with reducing pain and inflammation of the gum.
- For teeth that are delayed in emerging, a homeopathic remedy such as Silica D6 to 30CH may assist with speeding up the process.
- Ideally homeopathic remedies should be used in a powder form and rubbed into baby’s gum. If baby is experiencing recurrent diarrhea, a liquid potency can be used either directly into baby’s mouth (if it does not contain alcohol) or mixed into baby’s drinking water.
- Herbal remedies like Valeriana officinalis (valerian root) and Passiflora incarnata (passion flower) can be used for reducing pain and anxiety or sleeplessness (natural insomnia remedy) but must be very dilute in the dispensing medium, either water or fruit juice.
- Bach flower remedies may assist with baby’s crying, restlessness and capricious behavior.