MY BABY IS TEETHING !!!

While you can’t take on your baby’s teething discomfort, you can help take it away with these mom-tested remedies:

1. Chewing. Teething babies love to chew, and for good reason: The gumming action provides counterpressure, which relieves the aching pressure of new pearly whites pushing up and out into the mouth. Bumpy rubber teething rings, rattles and other teething toys work well (including — your baby has probably figured out — the plastic bumper on a crib rail). Chewing is even more effective when the object is cold and numbs the gums. Keep a supply of teething toys or wet washcloths in the fridge, rather than the freezer — very cold comfort can hurt sensitive gums just as much as an erupting tooth does.
2. Counterpressure. Your clean finger, teething toys with nubbly edges or a soft, wet toothbrush (no toothpaste) rubbed firmly on baby’s gums can provide the same soothing counterpressure. Your baby may balk at first because it seems to hurt initially, but it soon brings relief.
3. Cold drinks. A bottle of icy cold water can offer chilly relief to achy gums for babies over six months (when water can be introduced), or, if baby doesn’t take a bottle or balks at sucking, give (ice-free) water in a cup.
4. Cold food. Like icy food to suck on, chilled food to eat, such as yogurt, blended peaches, and applesauce (once they’ve already been introduced to your baby), can be more appetizing than warm or room-temperature foods, and can ease achy gums. Or give frozen fruits like bananas and plums in a baby feeder mesh bag (so large chunks of gummed-off food can’t pose a choking risk), but only under adult supervision and with baby sitting or propped upright.
5. Pain relief. If chewing, rubbing and sucking chilly foods don’t do the trick, break out the baby acetaminophen — but only after checking with your pediatrician.
6. Comfort. Extra snuggles, extra kisses and lots of patience are what a teething baby wants most.
7. Avoid numbing agents. Using rubbing alcohol on your baby’s gums is a no-go, and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) warns against topical numbing agents, which can put children under age 2 at risk for reduced oxygen levels in the blood. The FDA also recommends against any herbal or homeopathic natural teething meds, especially since some contain an ingredient that can cause heart problems and drowsiness.
8. Avoid amber teething necklaces. They don’t work, and they can pose a choking hazard