A teething baby is an exciting milestone, but you'll need a lot of patience to help your little one go through this stage as he gnaws at almost anything he can get his hands on. If your baby is already six months and has started eating solid foods while his teeth are beginning to sprout, one of the best ways to soothe his sore and swollen gums is to give him chilled fruits and veggies.
Giving your little one something cold to chew on helps put mild pressure on the gum area, which encourages for his teeth to start to come in (it's often called tooth eruption) , while the cold temperature helps relieve pain and itchiness. Offering chilled fruits and veggies adds a nutritious bonus into the mix. It's safer than liquid-filled teethers that could rip open and teething gels or homeopathic teething tablets that poses a risk to your baby's health.
ADVERTISEMENT - CONTINUE READING BELOWWorried your baby will choke? You may try baby-led weaning, a way of introducing solid foods to babies by allowing them to feed themselves. Instead of soup or purees and using soft spoons, babies get fist-size chunks of foods that they can handle on their own. The fruits and vegetables are cut into large pieces to avoid choking, though you still need to monitor your baby to make sure he doesn't bite the large pieces into smaller ones that could pose choking hazards.
What other parents are reading
One mom in our Smart Parenting Village Facebook group asked for suggestions on the types of fruits or veggies to cool (not freeze) and help ease her baby's teething pain. Here are the SP Villagers' suggestions that worked for their baby.
Mango
Sliced mango cheeks may be too soft for your baby to chew on. But he can suck on the middle part, the seed, and even hold on to it. It will be slippery, but that will encourage him to hold it with two hands!
CONTINUE READING BELOWwatch nowPapaya
Looking for fruits and veggies that do not harden poop? Papaya is the first and most-recommended fruit by moms.
Carrot
A medium sized carrot is just right, so just wash and peel. You may cut off the pointy end, or slice it into large strips. Steam it for 10 minutes or until it becomes tender. Don't wait for it to become mush because you want him to grip it still.
Cucumber
Just slice into rings (slice and then remove the core of each slice) or large strips for baby's easy handling.
What other parents are reading
Banana and avocado
These are soft fruits, so make sure to watch your baby while he’s munching on it. Bananas and avocados are great for digestion, but avoid them if your baby has a hard time pooping.
Apple
Apple is an excellent source of fiber, which is excellent for your little one if he is pooping regularly. Apple can can backfire and harden his stool. It's mostly recommended for babies older than age 1.
ADVERTISEMENT - CONTINUE READING BELOWMelon and watermelon
Make sure you take out watermelon seeds. Leave a bit of the green part; its hardness is best for biting the pain away!
Ginger
Ginger is a natural anti-inflammatory food. If the peeled ginger root is too small and poses a choking hazard, take a slice and rub it over your baby's gums for two to three minutes.
If you're worried about choking hazards, you can always opt for pureed fruits and veggies placed in the refrigerator for some time to cool. You can put the pureed fruit in a mesh feeder or your little one's pacifier. You can also use the pureed fruits or frozen yogurt to make fruity ice pops. One mom had this awesome suggestion to use breast milk!
