‘Teething’. One word that can bring any parent out in a clammy panic. Whether they’ve lived it or just heard the tales. And you’ll certainly know when your little one is going through it. The red cheeks, the crying, the sleepless nights and.... er...runny nappies. But there are tactics that can help. So here are a few of our top tips to show teething who's boss.
1. Stay calm
Believe us, I’ve had that horrible, helpless feeling when my little one wouldn’t stop crying from pain. But trust me, it won’t last forever and you’re just one of the hundreds of parents experiencing it right now. (Bet you feel special!) If all else fails, a glass of wine once they’re in bed and settled wouldn’t be frowned upon!
2. Art of distraction
As they say, ‘a cuddle makes everything alright.’ Obviously it would have to be a miracle Calpol-infused cuddle to really take the pain away, but sometimes a hug or playing with your baby can be enough to distract them from the pain they’re experiencing.
We’re not going to sugar-coat it and tell you that it’s all fine, but we do have some tried & tested tips to help you tackle the teething tantrums.
3. And......freeze!
The best thing for sore little gums? The cold. Baby under 6 months? Grab a muslin or their swaddle, dip a corner of it in water and pop it in the freezer. It’s a great as a comforter and if you tie it round the KIDLY Label Wood & Silicone Ring Teether it'll do double duty. Over 6 months? Puree fruit and stick it into ice-cube trays. Once they’ve frozen, put one in a mesh feeder and watch your little chomper ease their gums.
4. Buy them a monkey
Not the swinging from the trees kind. Matchstick Monkey makes genius teething toys that are fun to hold, cute to look at and knobbly in all the right places. Plus you can put teething gel on the back of the monkey's head so your baby can get added relief - especially at the back when those pesky molars are bursting through. They also do flat versions that slip neatly in your back pocket.
If all else fails, a glass of wine once they’re in bed & settled wouldn’t be frowned upon!
5. Products with staying power
There’s a shedload of teething products out there so you’ll be forgiven for getting confused. Our top tip - buy stuff with longevity. The award-winning KIDLY Label Sensory Nesting Balls will give them chomping relief and are fun to play with as well, whether they wave them, squish them or roll them around. Your babe a fountain of drool? A dribble bib is what you need in your life right now, but it'll look cool as an accessory for years.
We do wish you the best of luck, because it's a tough time, but if you need any more guidance, our Live Chat Team is here to help, 9am-5pm, every weekday. Just hit that purple button, bottom right.