Signs of Teething and Teething Remedies

25
Sep 2010
Amy the Happy Mom

Are you looking for teething remedies or for potential reasons why your baby seems to be crankier than the past few months?  If so then I am glad you found this site and suggest you keep reading because it is my honest review of my babies’ teething symptoms, things I tried that did not work, things that provided temporary relief and finally my uncensored review of the pros and cons of what I discovered to be the best teething remedy by far.

Teething Symptoms

Is your baby keeping you awake at night? Is it more difficult to improve his or her mood, grouchy all the time? Is he drooling a lot and putting everything he can in his mouth? Is he around 5 months old? Well, these are the primary signs of teething.

Generally the teething process carries on between 5 months thru 2 years of age and starts with the two front bottom teeth. Babies usually start feeling pain a few days before a tooth actually breaks through. The smaller teeth cause less irritation than the larger. Other signs of teething may include a slight fever and baby’s refusal to drink anything.

The best way to verify that teething has started is to gently glide your finger over baby’s gums and feel for the tooth or swollen gums. Teething verified? Congratulations your child is growing normally. 

Here are some quick teething remedies that provide temporary relief from teething pain:

  • Using a damp washcloth to massage your baby’s gums. The pressure can ease your baby’s discomfort. No too wet though or baby will be even more uncomfortable with water trickling down his neck.
  • Offer a teething ring. Try one made of firm rubber. The liquid-filled variety may break under the pressure of your baby’s chewing especially as teeth appear.
  • Try using a bottle but fill it with water. Prolonged contact with sugar from formula, milk or juice may cause tooth decay.
  •   A cold washcloth or chilled teething ring can be soothing. Don’t give your baby a frozen teething ring, however. Contact with extreme cold may hurt, doing your baby more harm than good. If your baby’s eating solid foods, offer cold items such as applesauce or yogurt.
  •  If you just can’t seem to ease baby’s pain you can give him some ibuprofen but avoid baby aspirin.

What did not work?

  • I had no luck with topical anesthetics, my daughter seemed to hate that method; I think most of it wound up around her mouth and in her throat.
  •  Wood spoons have been used by some but I avoid this as well because of splintering concerns. My oldest has a very strong bite and as more teeth started appearing and increasing in size I was worried about the splintering potential so I just chose to not try this.
  • I absolutely stay away from amber beads because I know moms that have tried them and were not satisfied. Plus I don’t like the idea of having something around such a delicate neck that has things that could be swallowed. 
  • I never used frozen bananas or ice chips for fear that the one time I become distracted by something or someone else and look away my baby could chock on it. Plus as mentioned above the cold could just aggravate her.

As teeth start making their appearance you should clean them and the gums at least once a day. Use plain water and a soft cloth or baby toothbrush.

Dealing with the drool.Excessive drooling is a natural part of the teething process. Use a clean cloth and dry your baby’s chin often to prevent skin irritation. I also use absorbent sheets on babies’ mattresses to help prevent uncomfortable wetness.

What worked best for my family is a teething toy called Sophie the Giraffe. I prefer her over the teething rings, biscuits or other less costly remedies because it is wonderful to have a toy that not only helps with the issue of teething but also stimulates all of the senses while keeping my baby entertained when I cannot.

You may find my detailed evaluation in the previous posts or by visiting the teething toy information page.

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Teething Remedies Vary – What is the Best?

23
Sep 2010
Amy the Happy Mom

Every child is unique and there are a variety of alternative teething remedies out there that can help and even some of them can be made at home. One of the key signs of teething is baby trying to chew on everything possible. For this reason I have found that by far the best teething remedy is a teether that is easily handled by little hands and can be nibbled on from many different angles.  It is also extra beneficial to mom if it can keep a baby’s attention using contrasting colors and soft sounds that will keep baby entertained so mom can have lunch or maybe catch a little more sleep at night

When choosing a teether it is also helpful to keep the following in mind so your baby will get all the benefits possible for as long as possible.

 Infants grow quickly:

  •  Expect your baby to double his or her birth weight by ages 5 to 6 months.
  •  Expect your baby to double his or her birth height and triple his or her birth weight by age 1.

So, as your youngster’s teeth are pushing their way up through the gums and getting all the attention the rest of his body is growing quickly too.  In fact I did not truly realize how fast time passed until having children; they grow way too quickly. Before you know it they are potty training and then off to college.

As teeth are coming in muscle strength and motor skills are also developing. Your baby will be grabbing on to everything within reach like toys, rattles, fingers and your hair and they will all end up in his mouth. Your baby will also start seeing better and recognize familiar faces while studying colorful toys and surroundings. As his hearing evolves he will enjoy the toys that make noise and music. One thing to avoid is exposure to synthetic chemicals by choosing toys made from organic cotton, natural wood and natural rubber.

So, what’s the BEST teething toy?

Many moms over the years and around the world, myself included have found that Sophie the Giraffe Teether is perhaps the best of all teething remedies around. She quickly became my children’s best friend and she will be around as long as needed. They love her bumpy head and the texture and feel on their gums. We never leave home without her. In fact she is probably the most important item we bring when traveling; especially by air to see grandma and grandpa.

Here is a list of what I find makes this giraffe such a great teething remedy for easing babies teething pain and moms worries.

  • The legs, ears, neck, head and body are different sizes so your baby can chew on the same teether throughout the teething process.
  • The Giraffe is also very light so young babies are able to hold it themselves.
  • Complies to U.S. toy safety requirements of ASTM F963
  • Phthalate, PVC, Lead and BPA free
  • Hand made in the French Alps with 100% natural rubber and non-toxic food paint.
  • Cannot break or leak under the pressure of your baby’s chewing.
  • The contrasting spots all over the Giraffe’s body provide visual stimulation
  • Her squeaker keeps baby amused, stimulates hearings, and helps him to understand the link between cause and effect
  • Sophie giraffe teethers have stood the test of time, providing relief to baby and parents since 1961.
  • Easy to clean with a damp cloth
  • The singular scent of natural rubber (from Hevea tree) makes Sophie the Giraffe very special and easy for your child to identify amid all his other toys.

 Babies love Sophi, I have included a few cute short video clips of teething babies enjoying her, please check them out.  Sophie the Giraffe is the best of all the different  teething remedies out there.  If your baby is showing signs of teething and has teething pain I highly suggest you try  one of your own.

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Teething Toy Concerns?

23
Sep 2010
Amy the Happy Mom

As promised in this post I am reviewing some negative comments about Sophie that I came across when doing my research for teething remedies

Even the best products cannot please all the people all the time and this is true with a small minority of people that have voiced concerns with Sophie.  I want to be sure to identify them even if I do not agree with most because this is an honest review from the perspective of a mother of 3.

It is like a dogs chew toy
So what? Like dogs have toys for chewing that make noise so do babies. The difference is that Sophie was designed for infant use. The rubber is a much finer grade with a soothing texture and so much softer than any dogs chew toy.

Water can get inside through the squeaker hole when washing.
Probably why the manufacturer recommends cleaning with a damp cloth. Should not be submerging the toy in water if you do not want to wait for it to dry.

It is a gagging hazard
I do not believe Sophie is a gagging hazard any more than a child’s own fingers. What’s also interesting is that some have said they wish the legs were spaced further apart so the baby could have easier access to a leg. I don’t see how any part of this teether could pose a hazard. If they did this product would not have passed child toy safety tests and would have been taken off the market a long, long time ago. It certainly would not be selling at the price it is. With that said, parents should always be aware of what their child is doing especially when introducing any type new toy.

It is difficult to keep the giraffe standing up
This is true. But how often do babies keep their toys standing up anyway? My kids always have their things lying around. Even those that have no trouble standing are most often on their side. Babies love Sophie so much anyway most of the time she is between their teeth or in their hand.

It is too expensive
Well, it may be for some. Each individual’s situation is different, especially these days. Like everything else it is your choice to purchase it or not. In my case I was willing to pay for 2 (~$19 each at the time I bought it on sale) because it  is hand made, safe and brings all the benefits described above. She puts a smile on my babies faces; this as they say is priceless, to me anyway.

It has an odor
Yes, but most people don’t mind it. Some like it. The scent is from natural rubber, which is made, using the sap-like extract of the rubber tree (Hevea brasiliensis). People have been using this sap for more than 3600 years. In my opinion I think this actually helps babies develop smelling sense.

So, these are the negative comments I came across.  All things considered I chose to follow the vast majority and tried Sophie anyway (and I am so glad I did).  If you are searching for a teething remedy for your baby I suggest you evaluate this teether yourself.  I am confident you and yours will happy with it.

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Teething Remedies My Children Love

22
Sep 2010
Amy the Happy Mom

When your child is experiencing teething pain it can be incredibly difficult to calm him and find teething remedies that work.  With twins it seems to be more than twice as difficult.

I felt powerless and searched everywhere for a solution. Breast feeding, ibuprofen and teething tablets seemed to help especially at night but I stopped the tablets because of the sugar content and I only used the ibuprofen in severe situations where nothing else worked. Homemade remedies were only temporary and required constant attention from me.

I found the best teething remedies for my babies’ sore gums is to put the sensitive area under pressure. I tried different teething rings but what worked best for my young ones was a teether made by a company called Vulli.  The teether is called Sophie the Giraffe.

My kids love this friendly little giraffe. It is safe, very effective and best of all it is something they can use on their own. I do not have to prepare anything and I can sleep most of the night! Sophie is the only teething remedy I now use and I recommend it to all moms.

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