🦷 Soothing teething troubles

Gear to have on hand

• An intact, age-appropriate teething ring suitable for refrigeration.
• A clean, soft washcloth.
• Advice from a pharmacist, primary health centre or your baby's clinician before using pain medicine.

Ways to help

1. 1. Offer something cool to chew

   Refrigerate the teether according to its instructions; do not freeze it. Supervise chewing and replace it if damaged.

2. 2. Try a gentle gum massage

   Wash your hands, then gently rub the sore gum with a clean fingertip. Stop if your baby dislikes it.

3. 3. Care for dribbly skin

   Pat the chin and neck dry rather than rubbing. Change damp bibs and remove them before sleep.

4. 4. Check before giving medicine

   If discomfort affects feeding or rest, ask a pharmacist or clinician whether infant paracetamol is appropriate. Follow the advised dose for your baby's weight and the product strength.

5. 5. Look beyond teething

   Seek medical advice for fever, poor feeding, fewer wet nappies or unusual drowsiness. A baby under 3 months with a temperature of 38°C or higher needs urgent medical assessment. Call 112 for breathing difficulty, blue colour or floppiness. Emergency routing and arrival can vary in Nigeria; keep your clinic or hospital's emergency contact and a backup transport plan ready.

Classic mistakes

• ❌ Freezing the teether A frozen-solid teether can injure delicate gums.
• ❌ Using teething jewellery or numbing remedies Amber necklaces and other teething jewellery pose choking and strangulation risks. Avoid numbing gels or herbal teething remedies unless your baby's clinician specifically recommends them.

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