How to Handle Teething

Teething can be a very stressful time of life for a baby and for the baby’s parents.  Teething is painful and stressful for the baby.Teething makes for a cranky baby, and therefore cranky parents. Luckily there are some time tested methods and some new technologies that help the teething process break though.

Teething is the time of a baby`s life when he or she begins to cut new teeth. This is when the newly developed baby teeth push through the gum line and begin taking up their new homes in the baby’s mouth. This can be a very exciting time in the life of the baby. This is the time when the baby moves on from liquid foods to solid foods. For the parents, it is an exciting time watching the new changes in the baby’s appearance and capabilities.   However, this is an extremely stressful time as well. The baby’s gums hurt from the teeth pushing though. In addition to this, the urge to chew is at an all time high. Providing for the pain and the desire to chew can be somewhat of a challenge for a parent.

One of the oldest methods of handling both the desire to chew and the need to  relieve the pain is also one of the cheapest and the easiest. This method takes a clean wash towel, one that has not been washed using any harsh detergents or anything that may harm the baby, soaks it in water or juice, and freezes it. The baby is then allowed to chew on the was  towel in its frozen state. This provides the baby with a solid item to chew on while numbing the gums against the pain of teething. When freezing the wash towel, it is a good idea to twist the towel up and place a knot in it. This helps to keep it in a usable shape for the baby.

Several toys have been developed that use the same concept as the wash towel. These toys are made from a nontoxic plastic and are filled with water. The toy is then frozen and given to the baby. The baby is then allowed to chew on these toys. The difficulty with these toys is that they are often too smooth for the baby to really chew on. This is why the frozen wash towel has remained so popular.

Another common thing for parents to do when chewing a frozen toy is not an option, is to apply a numbing agent to the baby’s gums. This helps to relieve the pain from the teething process when natural methods such as chewing and icing are not an option.  There are many different medications available to the parents to help numb the gums and it is best if each one is tried on the baby until one that does the job effectively is found. These medications are not a replacement to something that the baby can chew though; as they will not help the baby cut new teeth.

How to Bath a Fussy Baby

While giving a fussy baby a bath seems like a task in itself, it is just this task that can make the baby less fussy. The warm water  and undivided attention a parent gives a baby during a bath often soothes a fussy baby, relaxing him or her enough to fall asleep.

The trick is to have everything ready in advance so that the baby is not aggravated by waiting or being cold before being placed into the bath.

The first step to giving the fussy baby a bath is to gather the supplies. By having everything within easy reach, the fussy baby can experience the undivided attention of the parent and can relax. Some good supplies to have for the fussy baby as opposed to the non fussy baby is lavender body wash and lavender baby oil. Lavender is well known for having a relaxing and calming effect on babies as well as adults. 

Once the supplies are gathered, running warm water should begin. Be sure the water is warm enough to be comforting for the baby, but not so warm as to burn the baby. There is nothing worse then injuring your baby when you are really just trying to relax your baby. Fill the bath water and get the baby. 

Remaining calm while you remove the baby’s clothing and diaper is very important. You may notice things that caused the baby to become fussy that you did not notice before. The diaper may be dirty. There may be a piece of something in the clothing bothering the baby. The baby may be tired. No matter what though, it is important that you remain calm. Your anger or frustration can be sensed by the baby and this may make him or her more fussy or agitated. 

Check the water one more time before placing the baby in the water. Once the baby is in the water, watch the baby’s skin for signs of redness or irritation. This may be a sign that the water is too hot. If the baby’s water begins to get too cold, carefully add more warm water to the current water,watching to ensure that it does not get too hot. While the baby is in the water, use your hands to soap the baby’s body up and rinse the baby’s body. Be careful not to get soap into his eyes, as this can cause irritation. Soap should also not be allowed to get into the baby’s mouth or nose, as it can cause the baby to choke.

It is important to remember that a baby cannot do anything for himself. It is also important to remember that a baby can drown in inches of water. Under no circumstances should you leave the baby alone in the bath. If the phone rings, let it ring. If the neighbors knock, they can come back or you can take the baby with you. Under no circumstance should the baby be left alone in the bath even for a second.

Refer :

• Newborn Baby Care
• Baby Sleep Basics
• Some Common Skin Rashes In Babies
• Top 10 Baby Care Tips
• Breastfeeding Getting Started
• Bathing Your Baby
• Baby`s Daily Massage
• Teething Sign And Symptoms
• Safe Homemade Baby Food

Your Baby`s Daily Massage

Getting to know you

These techniques are good for all babies who aren't yet crawling. For the best chance of success, don't try a massage just before or after a meal or when she needs a nap. When you think she's ready, set yourself up on the floor with a towel and a small bowl of oil suitable for massage. If your baby seems to be uncomfortable or starts crying before you have finished the massage, stop and give her a cuddle instead.

The legs

Her legs are a good place to begin, as they're less sensitive than some parts of her body. Using a little oil, wrap your hands around one of her thighs and pull down, one hand after the other, squeezing gently, as if you're "milking" her leg. Switch legs and repeat.

The feet

Take one foot and gently rotate it a few times in each direction, then stroke the top of her foot from the ankle down to the toes. Switch feet and repeat.

The soles

Use your thumbs to trace circles all over the bottom of each foot.

The toes

To finish off the feet, take each toe between your thumb and forefinger and gently pull until your fingers slip off the end. Repeat for all ten toes.

The arms

Take one of her arms in your hands and repeat the milking motion from her armpit all the way to her wrist. Then, take her hand and gently rotate her wrist a few times in each direction. Switch arms and repeat.

The hands

Trace tiny circles over the palm of each of her hands with your thumbs.

The fingers

Gently take a finger between your thumb and forefinger and pull, letting her finger slip through your grasp. Repeat for all her fingers and both thumbs.

The chest

Place your hands together in prayer position over her heart. Then, opening out your hands slowly, stroke outward and lightly flatten the palms over her chest. Repeat several times.

The chest (continued)

Place one hand flat across the top of her chest. Stroke it gently down to her thighs. Repeat the motion, alternating hands, several times.

The back

Roll your baby onto her tummy. Using your fingertips, trace tiny circles on either side of her spine from the neck down to the buttocks.

The back (continued)

Finish with some long, firm strokes from her shoulders all the way to her feet. When you have finished, put on her nappy and cuddle or breastfeed her. She'll probably doze off!

More About Bath Refer Bathing Your Baby 
And
 Bathing And Soothing Your Baby`s Skin
And
First Bath Of Your Newborn Baby