Safe and Natural Teething Remedies for your Baby

Swollen gums, discomfort and crying can often accompany infants who are going through the teething process. While over-the-counter drugs can prove helpful, they can carry FDA warnings and unhealthy side effects with them. The following are natural ways to soothe and calm an infant during the painful teething months.

 

Teethers and Toys

Teething can start as early as three months in some infants. As your child’s teeth begin to push through their gums, and they begin to drool, you’ll want to find natural remedies that can bring them comfort. Teething rings come in a variety of sizes, shapes, colors and materials. They can also be given to a child cold to numb and soothe the sore gum area.

 

Plush teething toys made from organic materials can also be child-friendly and aid in their entertainment. Whether you find an animal or fruit buddy teether toy, your child will find the materials fun to play with while they ease their pain and discomfort. Infants are also attracted to vibrant colors and shapes. Teething jewelry for moms can be another great way to capture your child’s attention when worn adorning your neck. The toys are also non-toxic and manufactured with the same materials from infant teething toys. Your little one will be mesmerized by the rainbow of shades.

 

Cold Foods

If you’ve incorporated solid foods into your baby’s diet, you can satisfy their hunger and soothe their gum pain with chilled foods such as yogurt, applesauce or frozen bagels. You can also place a spoon in the refrigerator and wait for it to chill. When it’s cold, you can place the utensil on their gums to relieve the discomfort. A chilled pacifier in the freezer can also be a welcome relief to an infant who is going through the teething process. Children also love the flavors of fruits and vegetables. A mesh feeding bag is a great way for your infant to enjoy a piece of frozen apple or banana and provide relief for their achy gums.

 

 

Gum Massage

Infants can become cranky with teething. Parents can relieve the pressure naturally with a clean finger. A gentle gum massage is an old-fashioned remedy that really works, and it can immediately ease the pain and discomfort accompanied by teething. With a clean finger, you can gently apply pressure back and forth over the sore gum. You can also run your finger under cold water before beginning the massage.

 

 

Washcloth

A cold or frozen washcloth can also be especially comforting when dipped in a variety of liquids. Whether you dip the soft and organic material in breast-milk, formula, water or chamomile tea before placing in the freezer, the cold material can be a welcoming relief to their pain.

 

 

The crankiness that accompanies this painful phase is enough to worry parents and send them running to the nearest drugstore for relief. While teething is a natural stage in an infant’s life, you want to find natural remedies to ease their sore gums and mouth. In addition to providing pain relief, infant gum massage, teethers and chilled foods are a natural way to keep your infant toxic-free and healthy.

 

As a mother of 4 Lisa Coleman understands the fussiness and irritability that can accompany teething in our little ones. She found teething rings such as ones found at http://www.kidsii.com/brightstarts/c-8-rattles-and-teethers.aspx to be extremely helpful for her teething children.

Categories: Baby Wellness, infant health, natural remedies, teething, teething rings

How To Deal With The Side Effects Of Morning Sickness

A common side effect of pregnancy is morning sickness, and this affects the majority of women, though the severity of the nausea will vary from woman to woman. Where some women are only sick in the morning, others suffer with it all day. Generally, morning sickness only occurs in the first three months of pregnancy, but some women find that they are still vomiting for four or five months into their pregnancy. Researchers and medical professionals are unsure why women suffer with morning sickness, but it’s believed that the imbalance of hormones caused by pregnancy leads to this problem. It’s also thought that vomiting and nausea is more common in women who are carrying twins or triplets. There is no risk to either the mother or the unborn baby from nausea or vomiting, as long as the woman remains well hydrated. Dehydration for prolonged periods of time could lead to a condition known as hyperemesis gravidarum, which you should seek medical attention for. Such a condition is usually managed in hospital and requires you to have fluids given via a drip. You can spot the signs of dehydration from thirst, passing smaller amounts of darker urine, and feeling dizzy or faint. If you spot these symptoms, contact your midwife or GP who can assess the situation and test your urine for ketones.

 

There are some ways you can manage your nausea, which includes taking your time to get out of bed in the morning – having a snack by your bedside, such as a dry biscuit, to eat when you first wake up can help. Throughout the day, eating little and often can help to keep your stomach full and to stop the nauseous feelings. As previously mentioned, becoming dehydrated can be dangerous, so make sure that you drink plenty of fluids – preferably 10 to 12 glasses of water or fruit juice each day. You should avoid alcohol and caffeine, as not only are these harmful to your baby but they’re also dehydrating. It’s also advised that you avoid spicy or fatty foods. Ginger is great for settling your stomach when you’re feeling sick, so foods and drinks which contain this natural ingredient could help to stave off the nausea and vomiting. Rest, is generally advised during pregnancy, and is great for helping morning sickness, so try to avoid overdoing it and avoid any sudden movements. Dry foods, such as crackers or toast, can help, but be sure to take time to digest your food properly. Interestingly, brushing your teeth straight after eating can make you vomit, so avoid this where possible. You should also avoid smells or foods which make your feel sick or make you vomit – getting plenty of fresh air can help, so try going for a walk to get some gentle exercise and some fresh air. Before you head to bed, try to avoid a heavy meal as this will make your problem worse – sleeping with the windows open to get some fresh air as you sleep can also help.

 

You should keep an eye on your morning sickness, as there are some things which may need medical attention. For example, if you become dehydrated, if you vomit more than three to four times a day, if your vomit has blood in it or you are concerned about its appearance, if you lose weight, if none of the remedies seem to work for you, or if you’re concerned that something may be seriously wrong. If you spot one or more of these signs, you should contact your GP or midwife as there could be a problem which requires treatment. They will then test your urine for ketones, as a way of assessing how dehydrated you are. They may prescribe you an anti-sickness tablet to help you manage your symptoms – they will prescribe those which are also safe for your baby.

Categories: Baby Wellness, morning sickness, pregnancy