Have you noticed your baby is a bit fussier after bedtime? They might be teething and experience discomfort that’s disrupting their rest. While the daytime is full of distractions and play, the night has fewer things to grab their attention, so their growing smiles might be in a bit more pain. While it can be frustrating as a parent to deal with this, here are four tips to help your loved one count sheep.
1.) Use Chilled Teething Rings
Although your baby is hurting, there are plenty of simple remedies that can be helpful to try. An effective one is giving them a clean, chilled teething ring. The coolness can help reduce any inflammation and slightly numb their gums. However, make sure that it’s not completely frozen!
In tandem, another great thing to try afterward is gently massaging your loved one’s gum tissue with a clean finger. The light pressure can give temporary relief to help make bedtime just a bit easier.
2.) Create a Calming Environment
While you may have a routine for your baby before bed, make sure that you are also consistent with it. Keeping up with creating a calm environment can help signal to them that it’s time to go to sleep, even if they are experiencing teething discomfort.
A few things that can be helpful are soft music, dim lighting, a warm bath, and quiet cuddling. Although this tip may take time to become a habit, repeating it can help your loved one settle down.
3.) Give Extra Cuddles
Going off the point above, teething can make your baby feel clingy and a bit unsettled. Since they might be hurting more at night, they are likely looking for more comfort around this time as well. You can respond to their pleas with soft words, gentle rocking, or some extra cuddles. That way, you are able to give them the reassurance they need to relax before falling asleep.
4.) Take Care of Yourself
In the end, it’s also important that you take care of yourself during this time. Although it may not seem like it in the moment, teething is temporary, and it will end. When you lose out on sleep, your health can be affected as well. If you are able to, take turns with another caregiver to handle any wakeups in the night. Getting just a few more hours for yourself can help you be better equipped to care for your loved one.
About the Practice
At The Dentists at Orenco for Kids, you benefit from the skilled leadership of Dr. Andrea Beltzner and Dr. Michael Royse. We are dedicated to helping growing smiles in the local community get the healthiest teeth and gums they deserve. By guiding parents through dental milestones, we can make them feel better equipped to handle each one. If you have any questions, schedule an appointment or call our office at (503) 640-6565.