New parents invariably look forward to a first tooth as a milestone in their baby's young life. What they don't look forward to, however, is the crankiness and sleepless nights that often go along with a baby teething. Teething can be painful for a baby, and is often accompanied by congestion, making it difficult for your baby to comfortably sleep. Fortunately, there are ways to help your baby--and you--sleep through the night.
Step 1
Determine the cause. Be sure that it really is teething that is causing your baby's pain and discomfort. A teething baby will have swollen gums, drool, a clear runny nose, a rash or redness in his cheeks, and little if no fever. He may have an increased need to suck, or reject the bottle or breast because it is painful. Your baby may also have a diaper rash and soft stools.
Step 2
Ease the pain. Give your baby a teething ring or a clean, cold, washcloth to chew on. Wash your hands then massage the swollen gums.
Step 3
Give medication. Before putting your baby to bed, give a dose of Infants' Tylenol, which is the brand for acetaminophen, to ease the pain. If the pain still seems severe, consult your doctor about giving a one-time double dose, or alternating with doses of Motrin, which is the brand for Ibuprofen. You can also try rubbing a topical gel or ointment on his gums to numb the pain.
Step 4
Treat the congestion. Put vaporizer or humidifier in your baby's room to increase the humidity. You can also use a nasal aspirator or a gentle saline nasal spray to ease the congestion. Put baby to bed on an incline to help his breathing. This can be accomplished by putting a pillow under baby's crib mattress.
Step 5
Give some extra care. A teething baby is often a cranky, irritable baby, so you may need to be a little more flexible in your bedtime routine as she may need a little extra TLC during this time. Rock her or sing to her for an extra few minutes before putting her down in her crib. Make sure to give plenty of comfort, and remember, this time will soon pass.
Things You'll Need
- Tylenol or Advil
- Teething ring or washcloth
- Teething gel
- Humidifier or vaporizer
