Which recommendation would the nurse provide the parent of an infant experiencing teething pain?

Should you stop breastfeeding a baby once they start to get their teeth? Many new moms think that breastfeeding and teething don't go together because it could be painful.

Although nipple biting is common when babies get new teeth, it only happens because your baby needs comfort as their gums hurt. Thus, breastfeeding while teething should not affect the nursing relationship. 

Does Teething Affect Breastfeeding?

Breastfeeding a teething baby may feel different. The baby will become more irritable due to swollen and painful gums. Some babies want to nurse more to get comfort as nursing stimulates their gums. 

Other babies become fussier when you breastfeed them. It is because their mouths become sorer as they start getting teeth. Since these babies are on breast milk, it is their only source of comfort. 

If you refuse to breastfeed your child when they want to nurse, it can increase their focus on the activity. If the child wants to be fed, it's better to go ahead with it.

Moreover, suckling on your breast may provide comfort to your child. This is why many mothers give their children teething toys so they can suckle on them. 

Instead, you should position yourself properly to allow the baby's mouth to take in more of the breast. When babies are latched properly, they use their tongues to suckle. 

Since their tongue sticks out, it covers their lower teeth and gums. Hence, babies don't bite when they are feeding. 

When Should You Stop Breastfeeding Your Teething Baby?

Breast milk provides ideal nutrition for your baby throughout infancy and toddlerhood. If your baby has started to grow teeth, then they will begin to eat solid food. As a result, they will nurse less.

However, there is no need to stop breastfeeding once your baby gets their teeth. 

While it is a personal decision to stop breastfeeding, many babies start to self-wean when they gradually switch to a semi-solid diet.

If your baby breastfeeds without becoming irritable, there is no need to stop nursing. You can even breastfeed your child in conjunction with a semi-solid diet after your baby is six months old. 

According to a study, 83% of women start to breastfeed their babies. But only 58% continue nursing when their baby is six months old, and only 36% breastfeed when their baby is one year old. 

Many mothers consider giving their children formula milk from about the age of six months. At the same time, some mothers feed both breastmilk and formula milk to the child.  This practice is called supplementing and it is perfectly fine for your baby's health.

If you wean a baby before they are a year old, you should give them formula to ensure proper nutrition.

How Can You Keep Your Baby from Biting?

When your baby is teething, make sure to have a teething ring available if you need one, and hold them properly so the baby doesn't bite. 

Also, when the baby seems irritable during breastfeeding, try to latch them on properly so they do not sink their teeth in your breast. 

You should also invest in some teething toys. Some of the toys are filled with liquid so you can refrigerate them. Giving your baby cold teething toys will help soothe their gums. 

If you want to opt for a safer option, you can buy teething rings and keep them cool before giving them to your baby.

Make sure to keep the teething toys clean. If the baby drops the teething toys on other surfaces, be sure to wash them. 

What Are the Benefits of Breastfeeding Your Baby?

The World Health Organization recommends six months of exclusive breastfeeding to promote healthy child development.

Breastfeeding provides vital nutrition to the baby. It also protects the baby from childhood infections and lowers the risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome.

The University of Helsinki also found that breastfeeding helps reduce antibiotic-resistant bacteria in the baby's gut. It also helps strengthen the immune system in children.

In addition, research has shown that early skin-to-skin contact between the mother and baby positively affects the mother and baby.

Along with emotional benefits, breastfeeding also reduces the risk of certain health conditions, including some allergies, asthma, diabetes, and obesity. Breastfeeding also helps with cognitive development. 

Your newborn baby is born with 20 teeth under the gum line. Before you know it, your happy baby starts to become fussy with a tendency to drool on a consistent basis. The first tooth usually appears between 6 months and 1 year of age.

When your infant starts teething, it can be a very challenging time. However, there are number of baby teething tips to help soothe your child!

Signs Your Baby is Teething

If your baby is around 6 months (timing does vary), you may start noticing these symptoms of teething:

  • Sore or tender gums
  • Drooling
  • Irritability
  • Low-grade fever around 99 F
  • Chewing
  • Diarrhea
  • Drool rash around the mouth

Teething does not cause fevers and diarrhea. If your baby has a temperature above 100.4 F and has diarrhea, you should definitely speak to your doctor.

Typically, the first tooth to appear is one of the incisors on the bottom. It is a good idea to inspect your child’s gums for any bumps, a sign of newly surfacing teeth. Teething may be slower for some babies than others, so infants can have symptoms months before a tooth actually appears.

There are several ways to soothe gums. The most effective treatments include pressure, using cold items, and giving your baby something safe to chew. It’s really tough to see your baby start teething and experiencing constant pain, so try these methods to help ease the discomfort.

1. Massage the Gums

Applying pressure to your infant’s gums may help ease the pain. After thoroughly cleaning your hands, lay your baby on the bed and massage their gums gently with your finger.  This may actually help your baby relax and fall asleep. You can try rubbing the gums again if your baby awakes in the middle of the night.

2. Get a Cold Washcloth

It is a good idea to find a clean washcloth and soak it in water. You should wring out the water until it is damp. Then place the washcloth in the fridge or freezer to cool it down.

After it is nice and cool, fold the washcloth and give to your baby to chew.  You should never leave your baby unattended if they are chewing on something, even a washcloth, because this could be a choking hazard.

3. Refrigerate Pacifier or Teething Toy

If your baby uses a pacifier, you can also use it to soothe their gums by cooling it down. You should make sure the pacifier is clean and place it in the refrigerator. The coolness may help numb the gums and relieve some pain.

You can follow the same steps with teething toys.  You can place any solid teething toys in the fridge. It is a good idea to stay away from liquid or gel-filled toys, which could possibly leak.

4. Freeze Milk Popsicles

Some babies will not eat while they are teething. This is most likely because of the discomfort. 

If possible, you should find BPA-free popsicle forms and fill them with breastmilk or formula. These types of popsicles can become very messy when they melt, so be sure to place a bib on your baby. You might find it smart to have your infant eat these in the highchair.

5. Wipe Away Excess Drool

It is helpful to have your baby wear a bib while they teethe.  Babies have a tendency to drool and soak their clothing. 

You should make it a priority to wipe away drool from your baby’s face to help prevent further irritation. Ideally, your child’s face should stay dry to prevent a rash.

6. Chill Some Fruit

If you have introduced your baby to solid foods, you could try freezing some types of foods to help soothe irritated gums. Chilled mashed bananas are a great start!  You can try other fruits in a mesh feeder for your baby to suck on. The mesh feeder will help prevent choking. Some different types of fruit you could try include chilled apples, pears, or strawberries.  It is a good idea to monitor your baby at all times and make sure your infant is old enough to try these treats.

7. Extra Cuddling Time

Sometimes the best way to help a baby in discomfort is some extra cuddle time. Rocking your baby in a big chair or carrying your baby around the house (in a baby carrier) are great ideas. The extra cuddle time will help provide both of you with some needed rest.

If you breastfeed, don’t be afraid to give your baby additional nursing sessions for comfort.  It is important to provide your infant with a calm environment to help them relax and fall asleep.

8. Pain Medications

As a last resort, you can talk to your doctor about providing over-the-counter pain medication. These medicines help alleviate pain and allow the baby to go to sleep. Your pediatrician can advise you on the correct dosage and which type of pain relievers work best. 

It is a good idea to stay away from teething gels and tablets that contain lidocaine or benzocaine. They can be harmful and often numb a baby’s mouth, causing issues with swallowing. 

How Long Does Baby Teething Last?

There is no set timetable on how long your baby will go through teething.  This process could last months or be over in a couple of days.  Each infant handles the pain differently. The pain typically subsides once the tooth has emerged through the gums. There is usually a break between teeth, although the time frame can vary. 

Caring for Your Baby’s New Teeth

You should start caring for your baby’s tooth as soon as it appears through the gums. It is important to wipe off the tooth before bed. You can use a damp, clean washcloth or a soft-bristled baby toothbrush.

You should not use fluoride toothpaste until your child is at least 3 years old and can spit out the toothpaste.  However, you can use a small amount of training toothpaste to clean the new tooth.

Good hygiene starts early. Even though your baby will ultimately lose these teeth, you want the baby teeth and gums to remain healthy in preparation for the new adult teeth.

Schedule Regular Dental Checkups

Baby teething is no fun for the baby or the parent.  Now you have valuable suggestions on how to help your baby deal with the irritation. 

Once that first tooth appears, the American Dental Association recommends scheduling your child’s first dental visit. Regular dental visits set the foundation for your child to have healthy gums and teeth. Contact our office with any questions or to schedule your child’s first appointment today!

Which intervention is most appropriate recommendation for relief of teething pain?

The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends alternative ways for treating teething pain, including rubbing infants' gums with a clean finger or providing a teething ring made of firm rubber to chew on.

Which recommendation would the nurse provide the parent of an exclusively breastfed 4 month old about preventing rickets?

The current accepted recommendation to prevent rickets in children includes supplementation of exclusively breastfeeding infants with 200–400 IU/day of vitamin D and ensuring adequate calcium intake.

What is the priority nursing intervention for a 6 month old infant with bronchiolitis?

Maintaining patent airway is always the first priority, especially in cases like trauma, acute neurological decompensation, or cardiac arrest. Assess respirations. Note quality, rate, pattern, depth, flaring of nostrils, dyspnea on exertion, evidence of splinting, use of accessory muscles, and position for breathing.

Which is the priority need that must be included in the nursing care for a child with pneumonia?

Initial priorities in children with pneumonia include the identification and treatment of respiratory distress, hypoxemia, and hypercarbia. Grunting, flaring, severe tachypnea, and retractions should prompt immediate respiratory support.