If your baby is between four and seven months old, you may be familiar with the nights of fractured sleep due to their relentless fussiness. This is one of the core signs that your child is teething. Well, that and trying to chew on everything in sight! While getting less sleep may have you feeling frustrated and hopeless, your pediatric dentist in Hinsdale has several tricks to help your teething baby sleep so you can too.
1. Have Plenty of Cold Treats on Hand
Letting your baby gnaw on cold treats that are meant for chewing, instead of their fingers or anything they can find, can help reduce inflammation and numb their gums. This will allow them to find moments of relief—hopefully enough to fall asleep! Some pediatric dentist-approved objects for your baby to chew on include:
- A damp washcloth that has been chilled in the freezer can be rubbed against their gums.
- A mesh feeder that’s filled with chilled baby food.
- If your child has already started eating solid foods, you can give them chilled fresh fruits that are safe for them to eat, like bananas.
- A chilled teether toy that’s safe for babies.
2. Exercise Your Masseuse Skills
As a parent, you likely didn’t think you would have to learn how to give a gum massage, but this skill can come in handy once your baby starts teething! You can gently massage their gums using a damp washcloth that has been chilled in the freezer or a clean teething ring to combine soothing pressure with the relieving effects of cold therapy.
3. Prevent the Added Discomfort of a Rash
Another hallmark sign that your baby is teething is drool—lots of it! This is a natural symptom, and while it’s not harmful, if you aren’t diligent about wiping the drool off of your baby’s skin, a rash can form. Ultimately, this will make their discomfort even worse, which could disrupt your sleep even more than would be the case without the added rash. Using a soft bib or washcloth, gently wipe any excessive drool from your baby’s mouth. You can follow up by placing a protective ointment in that area, like petroleum jelly or Aquaphor.
4. Become a Master of Distraction
Another great way to help your baby get through the day or night is to learn effective distraction methods. This can include giving them a warm bath, gently bouncing them on your leg, or creating a sound-distraction by putting on a white noise machine, gentle piano music, or humming or singing.
If you continue to struggle with helping your baby find relief, one of the best people to ask for assistance is their pediatric dentist. As your child’s teeth begin growing in, their pediatric dentist can examine them to make sure everything looks good and provide you with helpful tips to soothe their discomfort.
About the Practice
At Brush Pediatric Dentistry, our team is comprised of five board-certified pediatric dentists who are recognized experts. Many are also moms themselves! With compassion for both parents and their young patients alike, as well as over 20 years of collective experience, parents can trust that their most precious smiles are in great hands. For questions or to schedule an appointment for your baby, visit our website or call 630-504-2223.