What You Should Know About Teething

1. Cool the Pain Off
Pick up a water-filled teething ring at the department store or baby store, chill it in the refrigerator, and let your baby chew on it. The cold temperature numbs the gums and brings pain relief. Just don't put it in the freezer. Objects that have been frozen can cause frostbitten gums. Babies older than six months can chew on a clean washcloth soaked with cold water. Wrap an ice cube in a clean cloth, and rub it gently on the baby's gums. Be sure the ice itself doesn't touch the gums, and keep it moving so it doesn't get any spot too cold. If your baby is just cutting her first tooth, you can use a chilled spoon to help ease the pain. Chill a spoon in the refrigerator (not the freezer) and apply the rounded part of the spoon to your baby's gums when she's fussy. As with a cold teething ring, the chilled spoon helps numb the areas that hurt most. But once a tooth comes in, don't use the cold-spoon approach, as your child could chip a tooth.

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