| Have you ever encountered a fussy baby? Sure, we | | | | teething rings are water filled and can be put in the |
| all have. There are many reasons for a baby to be | | | | freezer. The icy cold feeling numbs the gums and |
| uncomfortable. He can be in need of food, in need of | | | | gives the baby relief. |
| a diaper change, in need of a burping, or even in | | | | The teething “drool” is prevalent in babies |
| need of a change in position (such as sitting up, lying | | | | because they aren't accustomed to swallowing their |
| down, cuddling, hugging, or just being held). | | | | saliva like we do. The drooling can cause problems if |
| After the first three months of colic and getting used | | | | it's not taken care of. A baby's chest and neck can |
| the the baby's habits, there comes another stage of | | | | get soaking wet and cause a bad rash if left |
| discomfort called teething. A baby will normally begin | | | | unattended. Many mothers put a teething bib on the |
| getting his first teeth anytime between six and eight | | | | child to keep him dry. An infant's wet clothing should |
| months of age. The gums will begin to swell and | | | | be changed in a timely fashion. The baby's skin should |
| cause the child to be very uncomfortable. He will | | | | be wiped with a soft cotton cloth to absorb the |
| likely cry a lot, try biting on things, and drool from | | | | moisture. Tissues sometimes irritate the tender skin |
| the mouth. Sometimes a baby will also grab at his | | | | even more. Petroleum jelly or a similar ointment is a |
| ears when something is not quite right. But before | | | | good protective agent against a sore chin, face, |
| the new parents just assume that this is all due to | | | | chest, and neck. |
| teething, they should have the baby's health checked | | | | Normally, the two middle bottom teeth are the first |
| by a physician to make sure that nothing else is | | | | that a baby will get. After a few weeks the top |
| wrong with the child. The grabbing at the ears can | | | | front teeth will appear. Even though the baby is tiny, |
| sometimes mean an ear infection. | | | | these new teeth need cleaning with a very soft |
| Once the parent determines that the baby is healthy | | | | brush or wet cloth to remove plaque from around |
| and actually is beginning to cut teeth, there are some | | | | them and the gums. Just using water will do fine, as |
| things that can be done to make the little one more | | | | regular toothpaste should not be used with an infant. |
| comfortable. The biting instinct puts pressure on the | | | | is a website that has a variety of unique, colorful, |
| swollen gums and eases the pain. That's probably the | | | | soft cotton, animated bibs and travel blankets that |
| same reason puppies are so prone to chew on | | | | have “built in” teethers. The teethers are |
| everything they find. The baby needs something hard | | | | cleverly integrated into the features of animals such |
| to bite on. I've even had little ones clamp down | | | | as fins, wings, braids, and even tongues. These bibs |
| pretty darn hard on my fingers. A teething ring is the | | | | and blankets make a good matching pair for a |
| most popular item to fulfill that need to bite. Most | | | | perfectly beautiful and useful baby gift that will be |
| teethers have a textured, rubbery, rounded surface | | | | greatly appreciated at “teething time”. |
| to prevent poking and scratching the baby. Some | | | | |