Top Ten Tips for Your Teething Baby or Toddler

If your teething baby or toddler is having a rough summer chances are your entire family is feeling the pain.  Like a bad sunburn, teething pain is persistent and bothersome.  That’s why we’ve assembled a list of top ten pain relievers and distractions.   Here are some simple tricks to help  you and your little teether through the day.  No medication required!

• Ask for help!  Let friends or family members take care of your teething baby so you can catch up on sleep and have some quality time to yourself.
• Take your fussy one to the library.  Most public libraries have story times for infants and toddlers.  This provides a great distraction for your teether and allows you to meet other parents.
• Try to create a calm, relaxed atmosphere at home while baby is teething. Too much noise and commotion will not help with a stressed, over-tired baby.
• Use teething rings.  Keep a couple in the refrigerator and while one is in use, the other is chilling. Give one to baby to chew on for relief whenever necessary.
• Massage baby’s gums with a clean finger, or a clean washcloth on the end of your finger.
• Teething biscuits help with discomfort as well as giving your baby something to suck on. If their appetite is low they may gain some nutrients from the biscuit and feel like eating a little more next meal time.
• Buy a mesh teether and stuff it with frozen fruit. Once baby tastes the sweetness, they will continue biting down and sucking. This will exercise and massage gums, which provides relief.
• Give your teething toddler a yogurt tube that has been frozen or make homemade popsicles.
• Give your baby a bath.  Take them to the beach, or let them swim with you at a community pool.
• Take baby for a walk in the stroller.  The fresh air and interesting sights and sounds will provide instant distraction.

If all else fails, know that teething comes in waves and this wave will pass!

Happy Teething

Belle’s Biscuits Earth Day at Whole Foods Market

We had so much fun at this year’s We Love Local Earth Day event at Whole Foods Market, Portland.   The turnout was tremendous despite the fact that it was pouring cats and dogs outside.   Thanks to everyone who stopped by and showed their support.  We are going to be back at the store for Mother’s Day and will be post details soon.

Happy Teething!

Five Signs Your Baby Is Teething

So your little angel has recently become a tyrant?  It might be time to join the teething baby club.  Members include exhausted parents and cranky babies (good times for all).   Here’ s five signs from Dr. Sears that you might be eligible to join…

• Bulging gums – you can actually see the outline of the teeth as they are bulging inside the gums. The middle bottom teeth are usually the first place this happens.
• Drooling – it will seem like someone left a “drool faucet” on inside your baby’s mouth.
• Fussing – baby often will become cranky and more difficult to console.
• Night waking – most babies sleep fairly well between one and four months of age, but now the honeymoon is over! Beginning around four months of age, baby may start waking up much more frequently at night.
• Biting – baby will start chewing on everything he can get his hands, or gums, on – his fingers, your fingers, toys, and especially the breast.

Best piece of advice that we can offer to parents with teething babies is to keep your cool.  It’s easy to get frustrated and lose your temper when you’re on duty 24/7 with a little teether.   Just remember that this will pass in due time and your little angel will return.

Happy Teething!

Belle’s Biscuits Now at Whole Foods Market

 

                                 

We are very excited to announce a new partnership with Whole Foods Market.  If you have a little teether in Maine you can now  find Belle’s Biscuits at the Whole Foods Portland store.  They will be available just in time for Valentine’s Day and we can’t think of a sweeter gift to give your teething baby or toddler!  If you live in the Northeast stop by your local Whole Foods and ask for Belle’s Biscuits.  We will be distributing to stores in this region first.

Happy Teething!

Kimberly’s Journey – Belle’s Biscuits Product Review

A couple of weeks ago we received an email from You Tube product reviewer, Kimberly Mallas.  She has a seven month old boy who  just got his first two bottom set of teeth and is starting to get bored with conventional teething biscuits.  So we sent her a variety of Belle’s Biscuits and here is her sweet review…

Happy Teething!

When Your Teething Baby Becomes A Grinch

So the holiday season has arrived and your teething baby or toddler is a cranky, drooling mess. Don’t despair! There are things you can do to prevent your little one from becoming a permanent Grinch. If your little one has excessive drooling, rash, fever, trouble sleeping through the night, and irritability without any signs of a cold or flu-like illness, chances are it’s teething related. Here are some strategies that we are currently using at home to help our toddler enjoy the holidays.

1) Make sure your baby/toddler gets plenty of rest during the day. Even if they are sleeping through the night, extra long naps can be very beneficial during this time. My daughter is taking 2-3 hour naps these days. We keep her room dark and use an air filter to act as white noise. I find that her mood greatly improves after she’s had some down time.
2) Avoid crowded and noisy places like malls, restaurants, grocery stores, ect. Your baby/toddler will feel most comfortable at home in a calm, familiar environment. If you have to go out in public bring Belle’s Biscuits for distraction and instant pain relief.
3) Make sure you have a mesh teether on hand. They can be stuffed with ice cubes and frozen fruit. The cold can reduce inflammation and numb the gums. They’re a little messy so have your little one wear a bib.
4) Keep your temper under control. The beginning of the new year can be a stressful time in general, but if your baby/toddler is teething they may push your buttons even more than usual. Please recognize that getting mad will only make the situation worse for you and your little one. So stay calm when they act up.
5) Take heart, this will pass! You’re daily routine may be disrupted and you might find yourself exhausted, but know that teething comes and goes in waves. Very soon your little one will be back to their normal self. For now, do the best you can and don’t let teething spoil your day!

Happy Holidays from the folks at Belle’s Biscuits!

Gluten Free Gingerbread Teething Biscuits

“Deck the halls with gingerbread teething biscuits, fa lalalalalalala la”!     We’re please to announce that our Gluten Free Gingerbread teething biscuits are back just in time to save your fussy teether from a holiday melt down.  It’s the perfect diaper bag accessory for holiday shopping excursions, parties, and long travels.   They also make great stocking stuffers!

Happy Teething!

How do I know if my baby is teething?

   

 Dr. John Merch at www.medicinenet.com has written a very informative article on the most common signs and symptoms of teething.  While it doesn’t take an MD to figure out  that your baby is experiencing teething pain, I’m always interested in the science behind tooth formation.  Perhaps I should  have been a dentist….  

What are the signs and symptoms of teething?

 By John Mersh, MD

Teething is generally associated with gum and jaw discomfort as the infant’s tooth prepares to erupt through the gum surface. As the tooth moves beneath the surface of the gum tissue, the area may appear slightly red or swollen. Sometimes a fluid-filled area similar to a “blood blister” may be seen over the erupting tooth. Some teeth may be more sensitive than others when they erupt. The larger molars may cause more discomfort due to their larger surface area that can’t “slice” through the gum tissue as an erupting incisor is capable of doing. With the exception of the eruption of the third molars eruption of permanent teeth rarely cause the discomfort associated with eruption of “baby” (primary or deciduous) teeth.

Teething may cause the following symptoms:

• Increased drooling
• Restless or decreased sleeping due to gum discomfort
• Refusal of food due to soreness of the gum region
• Fussiness that comes and goes
• Bringing hands to the mouth
• Mild rash around the mouth due to skin irritation secondary to excessive drooling
• Rubbing the cheek or ear region as a consequence of referred pain during the eruption of the molars

Happy Teething!

The Dangers of Teething Medicine For Babies

 

When we see our children suffering we are compelled to do anything to take away their pain.  That said, it’s no secret that I’m very conservative about giving  OTC (over the counter) medications to babies or toddlers, especially pain relievers.  Now the FDA is  warning doctors, patients, and parents about the potential for a rare but deadly blood disorder associated with benzocaine.  Benzocaine is a drug found in many popular over the counter baby teething medications and a drug that can result in a blood disorder known as methemoglobinemia.  Children are particularly susceptible to his condition.  Here is what the FDA has to say…

“While anyone can develop methemoglobinemia babies under age 2 have an elevated risk of developing the condition.  Benzocaine is found in popular teething remedies such as Baby Orajel and Anbesol.  The FDA is now warning that Orajel and Anbesol should not be used on children under age 2 unless directed by a physician.

Methemoglobinemia interferes with the body’s ability to carry oxygen into bodily tissue.  If you, or your child, experience:

• pale, gray or blue skin, lips or nails;
• difficulty breathing;
• fatigue;
• confusion;
• lightheadedness;
• headache; or
• Rapid heart rate

while on a benzocaine product then it is important to seek immediate medical attention.

Many over the counter benzocaine medications do not yet carry a warning about methemoglobinemia.

If you, or your child, have suffered from methemoglobinemia while taking or shortly after taking a benzocaine product, please file an adverse report with the FDA and consult with a defective drug lawyer for information about your legal rights.”

http://www.benzocaine-lawsuit.com/

So parents, please pay close attention to warning labels before you give your child any medicine and don’t hesitate to contact your doctor or pharmacist with questions.    

Happy Teething!

How Do I Care For My Baby’s New Teeth?

                         

Here’s what the Mayo Clinic has to say about taking care of your baby’s teeth…. 

“Ideally, you’ve been running a clean, damp washcloth over your baby’s gums every day. If not, now’s a great time to start. The washcloth can keep bacteria from building up in your baby’s mouth. When your baby’s first teeth appear, switch to a small, soft-bristled toothbrush. There’s no need to use toothpaste. Water is all you need until your child learns to spit — about age 2.

It’s also time to think about regular dental checkups. The American Dental Association and the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry recommend scheduling a child’s first dental visit after the first tooth erupts and no later than his or her first birthday. Your baby’s teeth and gums will also be examined at well-baby checkups. Remember, regular childhood dental care helps set the stage for a lifetime of healthy teeth and gums.”

Happy Teething!