Teething Relief Tricks

Teething is a really tricky stage to navigate as a parent. It always seems to sneak up on me, and after a few days of unusually cranky and weepy behavior, it finally dawns on me to check the mouth! Sure enough, the red swollen gums give it away every time! As a mom, watching my child hurt is so hard, but teething is unavoidable. At the end of the day, it seems like both baby and I are pretty miserable and tired.

This post is sponsored by Pfizer Consumer Healthcare, all opinions are my own.

Sometimes being miserable and tired, while seeing your child miserable and tired, can lead you to do desperate things. My 14-month old is currently in the middle of cutting molars. My first clue should have been the drool, but the real wakeup call was the horrible sleep she was getting. My little lady, who loved to snuggle up and go to bed, was suddenly fighting naps and bed time with everything she had. I have a mom confession to make. When we’re both pretty miserable and at the ends of our ropes, I break out my desperate teething remedy: popsicles.

I do. I let her have as many as she wants. I know you are thinking that this could get out of hand really quickly, but she has only once asked for two in a row. You can make your own out of baby purees or grab the fresh fruit popsicles from the grocery store, if you are looking for a healthier option. The way I see it, if it makes her feel better, a popsicle can’t be as bad as a week of sleepless nights! Here are some of my other favorite teething remedies:

Frozen Washcloth– Take a clean washcloth (I love the thin baby ones), and soak it in water, then freeze it. Tie it through a linking ring and then baby can hold it without having freezing hands.

Pizza Crust- Give that sweet baby (if he/she is old enough) something to really gnaw on. Pizza crust or a bread stick will keep toddlers busy and help them feel better at the same time.

A Cold Teether- Stick a teething toy in the fridge for a bit before handing it over.

A Tooth Brush: A toothbrush is the perfect item for them to chew on and massage their gums with. The rubber training brushes are my favorite.

But seriously, when all else fails, give them a popsicle. Smiles like these are worth it!

So let’s hear it. What is your mom confession?  What is your desperate “go to” when your normal teething remedies don’t work? Share your “mom confession” on one of your social channels and use #SickJustGotReal.