How To Help A Crabby, Teething Baby

My baby is busting through her first molars right now and is so crabby. Some kids breeze right through teething, others are so miserable. What makes the difference is beyond me. I admit, I caved and gave my baby some Motrin (generic is: Ibuprofen) today.

Generally speaking, I think we over medicate kids. I made the decision because she generally seemed miserable and her gums were swollen. And let’s be honest, a miserable kid is a miserable mom.

Try treating teething with simple things first (cold teething toys, etc.). If that doesn’t work, Motrin works better than Tylenol. Motrin has an anti-inflammatory property to it, and because the gums get inflamed, it is a better option. This year, there was a safety warning against teething gels. So steer clear of them. Medicate judiciously. A dose here or there isn’t a big deal, but every day for weeks on end is too much.

-Photos courtesy of www.123rf.com