teething

Let’s talk teething.

Liam started breaking his first two teeth on the night of Christmas Eve. There goes wishing for the last night before Christmas that I actually get some sleep. I know for years to come, he’ll be up early and be hard to put to bed, just like all the other children waiting for Santa to arrive. We’ll I was up with him every 2 hours that night until we learned how to cope with the teething pain.

I’ve heard of babies getting a little fever accompanying teething, but Liam has been lucky to not have that so far. We’ve been giving him infant Tylenol when we think he needs it, mainly just before bedtime to help him get to sleep.

We’ve tried the cold teething toys. Well, we threw that right out the window as soon as we saw his face. It was that expression like, ‘Mom, what in the world were you thinking putting that freezing cold thing in my mouth!’. So, that was the end of that. Of course we still keep those teething toys at room temperature for him to gnaw on and that seems to help.

Then, while I was making some banana smoothies for my husband and myself, I decided we might try a slice of frozen banana. I know it was cold, but maybe Liam would by-pass the cold and enjoy the flavor of the banana, while it numbed his little gums. I was right!

Next, we had a friend tell us to give him a large, cold raw carrot to chew on. He liked that. But, gave up on it after about 30 seconds. So we’ve been trying that every day just for a few minutes of soothing.

Then, I went on the hunt for teething biscuits. I remember my mom giving them to my sisters and loving them. Going for my weekly visit to Target (oh, so dangerous), I explored the baby food aisle with some luck! I spotted what looked like the biscuits I remembered from my childhood. They were called Baby Mum-Mums. Well, like a health-freak that I am, I checked the label with my check list:

• What are the ingredients?
• How old should he be to eat it?
• Where are they made?

Well, I was fine with the first two questions…especially, looking at the organic box. But, then I looked down the label to find that they are made in China and shipped over here! No offense to China as a country or anything, but with the news over the last couple of years reporting lead paint in children’s toys made in China, I don’t think I would dare give my child food shipped in from China.

So, I was out of luck. I didn’t know where else to check, having checked my local grocery store and Target. That is, until I went to Whole Foods and perused their baby aisle.

Tada! I found it! An organic teething biscuit made right here in the US. It’s called, Healthy Times Teething Biscuits. They come in vanilla and maple flavors. They are super hard biscuits that almost taste like a very, very mild ginger cookie. Delicious!

They keep Liam occupied for quite some time. But, I will warn you…they make a mess. A BIG mess.

I’ve basically learned that if I want to give one to Liam, he must be naked, in the Bumbo seat with the tray attached and in the bath tub. That way, when he’s done, I can just rinse off the Bumbo and give him a bath.

Even though the cookie gets everywhere (because I’ve heard that the Mum Mums don’t make a mess), I feel like it’s worth it because I trust where the food I’m giving him was made.

How do you feel about baby food being made outside of the US? 

What do you do to help your baby cope with teething?