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Expert Q&A:
What are the food or toys that are good to ease teething discomfort?

 
2
Loraine Stern
Answered by Loraine Stern MD
Meet our authors

"I adore children and being a paediatrician because of all the hugging and laughing that we do," say Loraine Stern, MD

Loraine Stern, MD, an Associate Clinical Professor of Paediatrics at U.C.L.A., has been in private paediatric practice for 26 years. Dr Stern has written a feature called "Your Child's Health" in every issue of Woman's Day magazine since 1986. She is a former editor of and contributor to Healthy Kids magazine. She has published two books on child care and has edited a book about paediatric nutrition for the American Academy of Paediatrics. A spokesperson for children and families, Dr Stern has appeared on national networks and programs such as CNN, The Today Show, and Good Morning America.

Dr Stern has two stepchildren but no animals or even green plants.

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Question


My son is teething. I've tried to give him cold things (chilled teething rings, etc.) to chew on, but he doesn't seem to like them. Can you give me a few suggestions for foods or toys to ease his discomfort?

Answer


One of the best "organic" teething rings around is a fresh or frozen bagel. Toothless babies can't really do more than gnaw them, and the soft but firm texture seems to be pleasing to tender gums. The relief seems to stem from the counter-pressure against the gums. A large, cold carrot - too big to break into pieces that he can choke on - is also helpful. (Don't give him carrots once his pearly whites are in, lest those tiny teeth break off a bite-size piece that he could choke on.) Whatever food you end up using to ease your son's pain, give it to him only in a sitting position and only while there's parental or adult supervision. You can also try offering your baby something icy cold to eat or drink. Even a very chilled bottle of water will numb his tender, swollen gums and temporarily ease his pain. If the teething discomfort is keeping him awake at night and nothing else seems to bring relief, you can give him the appropriate dose of paracetamol (Tylenol, Tempera, etc.) so he can sleep. If the pain persists more than a few nights, however, get your doctor to check for other problems.
 

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