As a new parent, you might have experienced sleepless nights because of your baby's constant crying and restlessness. Many factors could cause such behavior, but teething trouble is one of the most common ones. If you're a first-time parent, fret not; we've got you covered on everything related to teething.
What exactly is Teething?
Teething refers to the process where babies' teeth start to grow through their gums. This period usually starts for most children at around six months, and it can last anywhere from several weeks up to two years! During this transitional stage, young infants may experience pain or discomfort in their mouths that can lead to various symptoms.
How do I know if my baby is teething?
Babies show different signs of teething based on age and temperament. Here are some commonly observed symptoms:
- Mild fever
- Irritability
- Drooling excessively
- Decreased appetite
- Swollen gums
However, excessive crying alone is not an excellent indicator of teething troubles as other underlying health issues may also be present.
Can Teething Cause Sleep Problems?
One side effect frequently reported by parents during this time frame is broken sleep patterns due to night waking/wailing episodes caused by gum pain from incoming teeth. Infants who suffer severely with primary dentition (the growth of molders), often will need additional intervention given they naturally being susceptible for lackluster ear infections or mumps throughout infancy/early childhood subsequently impacting secondary dentitions.
New research has now suggested that many typical fussiness signs which previously authenticated solely as “baby things” perhaps better classified under newly recognized medical term OUCH!
With ample evidence pointing towards elements like headaches - ulcers,"tiredness" remain key factors into how our body reacts when developing any sorta growths physically speaking.
"I'm So Tired!"
While teething troubles can be a potential cause of sleep disturbance, other intrinsic factors can significantly impact your baby's circadian rhythm. If you're pulling all-nighters with a crying infant, it may be time to consider additional causes like the following:
- Colic
- Acid reflux
- Ear infections
- Chronic health conditions
Get in touch with your pediatrician if such signs arise.
How Can I Help My Teething Baby?
When managing symptoms associated with teething troubles, every situation requires an individualized adjustment in modality; what works for some infants might not work others. The good news is that several remedies could provide relief and help soothe exhausted moms/dads - here are just a few:
Chew Toys
Teethers like Sophie La Girafe have been around since our great grandparents' days! Studies explore specialized toys certain brands (e.g., rubber) accentuate proprioceptive/sensory training more expediently beneficial given most toddlers overproduce gum saliva greatly impacting bacteria production potentially leading dental caries or worst yet: chronic bad breath odor ☹
Another bit of advice from the pros is placing cool (not frozen!) objects in mouth area aiding circulation as inflamed gums often deteriorate together along this time.
Rubbing Gums
Massaging sore gums helps relieve pain and pressure by stimulating them manually repeatedly rubbing on calming ointments prescribed/requested through trusted pediatricians/care physicians alike.
It’s common knowledge that babies become restless during their teething process(tears nonstop/too much drooling). Luckily parents now have access to holistic treatments derived from traditional medicine supporting natural health practices sought after many years ago. Whether it's using sensory teeth toys or engaging both oral & mental exercises scientifically tested against alleviating depression/anxiety - there truly is hope for ALL new/experienced caretakers tired of being groggy while juggling life's most significant challenging journey: Parenthood!